An American delegation learns about investment and business opportunities in Aqaba

The visit was part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's trade mission to Jordan, which included over 60 representatives of the American business community representing more than 30 companies operating in a wide range of sectors, including energy, digital technology, artificial intelligence and information and communications technology, water, infrastructure, transport and logistics, healthcare, agribusiness, and financial services.

Through field visits, meetings, and a dialogue session with investors hosted by Aqaba Development Company and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the delegation learned about the investment environment in Aqaba and its role as a gateway to regional markets. Discussions focused on how American companies can benefit from Aqaba's strategic location, transportation and connectivity networks, and industrial and digital infrastructure, as well as exploring opportunities for cooperation with local partners.

The visit program included field trips to the Classic Clothing Factory, vocational training facilities of the Aqaba National Vocational Training Complex (ANVT), the Aqaba Digital Hub, and a tour of the Aqaba Port System. These visits provided the delegation with a firsthand look at industrial operations, workforce development programs, digital infrastructure, and maritime logistics, while meetings with officials and investors provided additional opportunities to discuss business needs and future cooperation and partnership opportunities.

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Shadi Al-Majali, welcomed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce business delegation to Aqaba, affirming the region's supportive business environment and its potential to be a competitive platform for American investments and expansion in regional markets.

Al-Majali said that Aqaba's strategic location and connectivity, along with the network of free trade agreements concluded by Jordan, provide investors with access to regional and international markets. In particular, the free trade agreement between Jordan and the United States provides an important platform for American and international investors to access the U.S. market, while benefiting from Aqaba's strategic location and investment environment.

The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority provides investors with an integrated and business-friendly environment, supported by strategic connectivity, modern infrastructure, and a one-stop-shop approach to providing investment and business services.

One of the key strengths of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone is its governance model, which gives the authority independence and flexibility in decision-making, enabling it to efficiently respond to investors' needs and facilitate the development of their businesses.

Our role is not limited to facilitating investment establishment, but we continue to work with investors throughout their investment journey through specialized post-investment services and investor support programs, which help address challenges, facilitate expansion, and enhance the sustainability of their businesses in Aqaba in the long term.

For his part, the CEO of Aqaba Development Company, Hussein Al-Safadi, emphasized the importance of direct communication with the American business community in strengthening investment relations and opening up new horizons for building long-term partnerships.

Al-Safadi said that Aqaba offers a diverse and growing portfolio of investment opportunities in key economic sectors, supported by strategic infrastructure, an integrated business ecosystem, and a firm commitment to facilitating private sector investment. He pointed out that at Aqaba Development Company, we work closely with investors from the early stages of exploring opportunities to project development, providing them with the necessary support, facilities, and coordination to help turn investment interest into viable and sustainable projects.

The investor dialogue session is an important platform for direct dialogue with American business leaders, and we look forward to building on these discussions to develop effective partnerships, attract quality investments, and enhance Aqaba's position as a competitive regional business and investment destination.

Samer Jodeh, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan), noted that the visit of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation from Washington, D.C. to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone was an important stop in the delegation's program in Jordan, providing members of the American business delegation with an up-close look at the competitive advantages of Aqaba. Through meetings with officials of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and Aqaba Development Company, the delegation learned about the port system, the multi-modal transport system, the competitive investment environment, and Aqaba's strategic location, which provides access to regional markets.

These advantages are a key element in enhancing Jordan's position as a regional hub and gateway to the region. The role of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan is to help connect American companies with these opportunities and work to turn them into tangible partnerships in the fields of trade, investment, and business.