Aqaba after "SOFEX".. From the exhibition lights to the requirements of development and investment
Amman4 min read
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With the launch of the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference "SOFEX 2026" in Aqaba, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and with the participation of more than 400 official delegations representing 75 countries, and 350 exhibiting companies from 38 countries, an economic and developmental question arises that deserves to lead the scene after the conclusion of the events: What will Aqaba actually gain from this large international presence? And what are the steps required to transform it into investment, employment, and sustainable development opportunities?
Aqaba, which is hosting an international event of this magnitude, does not need to be content with celebrating the success of the organization and the breadth of participation, but rather needs to build on this success and translate it into tangible results in the local market, so that the city is not just a site for hosting exhibitions, but a key partner in the economic returns and opportunities that result from them.
The broad international participation in "SOFEX" confirms Jordan's position and its ability to host specialized events, and also opens an important window for Aqaba to showcase its investment, logistical, and tourism potential, benefiting from its strategic location, port, airport, and international exhibition and conference center. However, the real challenge begins after the exhibition doors close.
What is required today is to move from the stage of hosting the event to the stage of investing in its results, through a clear action plan adopted by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the Aqaba Development Corporation, and the concerned authorities, in partnership with the private sector, to identify opportunities that can be invested in, attract new international events, and transform the relationships formed during the exhibition into projects, agreements, and actionable economic opportunities.
The return awaited by the people of Aqaba
True success is not measured by the number of delegations and companies alone, but by the extent of its reflection on the lives of the city's residents; through increasing demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation, and services, stimulating markets, and opening the way for small and medium enterprises to be part of the services and supplies associated with international events.
Furthermore, the sustainability of gains requires linking major exhibitions with employment and training programs for youth, and providing the opportunity for local companies to connect with international investors and suppliers, which enhances their competitiveness and opens new markets for them.
It is also necessary to objectively measure the economic impact of the exhibition, through data that clarifies the volume of spending within Aqaba, occupancy rates of tourism facilities, job opportunities created by the event, and contracts that benefited local companies, leading to determining what has actually been achieved and what should be developed in future editions.
From "SOFEX" to a permanent international agenda
Aqaba has the opportunity to employ the success of "SOFEX" in building an annual agenda for international exhibitions and conferences that attracts diverse sectors, not limited to defense and security industries, but including technology, logistics, investment, tourism, and the blue economy.
This approach would enhance Aqaba's position as a destination for business and conferences, increase demand for services throughout the year, and help diversify economic activity and reduce reliance on traditional tourist seasons.
Conference visitors can also be connected to the Jordanian tourism product through organized programs that include downtown Aqaba, its markets, beaches, and heritage sites, in addition to encouraging visits to Wadi Rum and neighboring tourist areas, thereby extending the visitor's length of stay and expanding the circle of spending within the governorate.
What is required today.. results, not slogans
The next phase requires the announcement of a clear vision for the post-"SOFEX" period, including measurable goals, a timetable for attracting new events, and mechanisms for involving the people of Aqaba and its economic institutions in benefiting from this international momentum.
Aqaba does not lack a strategic location or the ability to host major events; rather, the opportunity lies in the good management of the post-event phase and transforming international presence into sustainable investments, productive projects, and real job opportunities.
"SOFEX" is not the end of the scene, but a test of Aqaba's ability to turn organizational success into economic success. The real bet is that the impact of the exhibition remains present in markets, facilities, projects, and job opportunities, even after the last international delegation departs.
The question that the people of Aqaba are waiting for a practical answer to remains: Will we witness a new phase of investment, employment, and development after "SOFEX", or will we wait for the next international event for the same questions to be repeated?
