Jordan welcomes you to visit the country, whether it be for business investments or sightseeing and witness for yourself the country's ancient traditions and contemporary vitality, said Bilal N. Hmoud, Director of the Jordanian Commercial Office in Taiwan.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan offers many outstanding opportunities for investors. It has an excellent and unique investment climate -- one of a kind that you can't find elsewhere. The country is committed to free market practices and economic betterment as a result of the vision foreseen by the late beloved King Hussein.
Hmoud said, "Jordan is a politically and socially stable society which has adopted the concepts of peace and tolerance. Although it is a country small in size, it envisions big ambitions and offers lots of opportunities for investors." Investors can find the most modern facilities, a network of highways, excellent communications and security system and a very hospitable people. It is safe to exchange money with the banks or even moneychangers. English is widely spoken so communication is not a problem.
Strategically located in the heart of the Middle East, Jordan offers direct access to the fast growing neighboring markets including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Palestinian National Authority and Israel, a market totaling more than 160 million people.
Jordan is a member of the WTO and is one of four countries in the world that have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Jordan also enjoys free trade agreements with the EU (which came into effect this May 1) and has free trade agreements with several Arab countries.
QIZ
Jordan is now open more than ever for foreign investors. The country offers investors golden opportunities and excellent investment climate, one of which is the (QIZ), the Qualifying Industrial Zones. A big advantage is that manufacturers in the QIZs can export their products to the US market quota free and duty free.
Benefits for QIZs investors are that can have their export earnings 100 percent exempt from income tax and customs duties. Imported raw materials, machinery, spare parts and all fixed assets are also exempted. There is no restriction on ownership and no partnership or joint venture requirements. A company in a QIZ can be 100 percent foreign owned. More importantly, the investor has the right for full repatriation of capital, profits and salaries. There is no time limitation on the QIZ status.
The QIZs are conveniently situated close to city services and accessible by a modern network of highways. It is well equipped with modern and comprehensive infrastructure and can provide a pool of highly qualified and educated labor force. Labor cost is very competitive; the minimum wage is US$114 per worker per month.
Jordan has the highest number of college graduates. In fact it is a major exporter of human resources. You can find many key Jordianan people in management such as engineering, technical and science industries around the world, said Hmoud.
ASEZ
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone, a duty free zone launched in January 2001, is located in a very strategic location of the Aqaba Gulf. The area is on the borders of Saudi Arabia, Israel and very close to Egypt.
Investors in this area will have access to the port of Aqaba as well as the Aqaba International Airport. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone is fully equipped with modern infrastructure. Investors can have 100 percent ownership and can repatriate all capital and profits as well. There is a five percent business income tax.
This special economic zone is destined to become a major economic development mode for multi-model transport related activities, tourism, recreational services and value-added industries.
Tourism
Bilal N. Hmoud remarked, a visit to Jordan brings a return to respected and hallowed tradition. Immediately upon your arrival, the visitor is aware of the inherent hospitality of the Jordanian people as exemplified by the Arabic "Ahlan wa sahlan" (I welcome you), heard at every turn.
Jordanians are very friendly, outgoing people. They are innately hopeful and enjoy having guests and visitors in their country and in their homes. Entertainment in Jordan revolves around family life and neighborhood gatherings. Visitors are fortunate enough to be brought into this ambiance, and are made to feel welcome and are encouraged to enjoy themselves.
Travel within Jordan is efficient and enjoyable. A good road system is constantly being expanded and upgraded. The visitor is made welcome wherever he goes, whether in the capital city of Amman, in one of the outlying towns and villages, or while visiting the historic sites and archaeological digs to be found throughout the land. Jordan's road signs are marked in English and Arabic.
No matter where visitors travel in Jordan, he or she is always surrounded by the warm hospitality of the Jordanian people.
Jordan is very safe because of its political stability, it also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Jordan is well equipped with all the modern infrastructure for tourism. There are five star hotels operated by well known international chains including Grand Hyatt, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Intercontinental and all offer very reasonable rates. Three and four star hotel accommodation is also available with affordable prices ranging from US$25 to US$65 per night.
Eating well and heartily is part of the Jordanian tradition and there are many fine restaurants that offer a wide selection of authentic Arabic food, Chinese and Western cuisine. Locally produced beer, wine and spirits are available throughout the country, as are imported drinks. The local drink that is popular with Arabic dishes is arak, an anise-flavored liquor that is mixed with water and ice.
Car rental services are available with very attractive rates. Jordan is well connected with a modern network of four lane highways. The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (J.D.) It has a fixed exchange rate against the US$ (1 JD = US$1.41).
Your best bet to travel to Jordan is by taking Royal Jordanian Airlines which offers direct flights from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to Amman / Jordan (flight duration is 8.5 hours).
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