National exports to the Arab Free Trade Area countries recorded a 13.9% increase during the first seven months of this year, reaching a value of 2.214 billion Jordanian dinars compared to 1.943 billion dinars for the same period last year, thus topping the list of Jordan’s trade partners.

According to official statistics monitored by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), national exports to the region accounted for 42% of Jordan’s total exports until the end of July, mainly driven by increased exports to Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq, which together accounted for 62.7% of Jordanian exports to the Arab Free Trade markets.

The value of national exports to Saudi Arabia reached about 734 million dinars, growing by 16.1%, while exports to Syria jumped by 400% to reach 130 million dinars, and exports to Iraq grew by 11.7% to about 525 million dinars.

Conversely, Jordan’s imports from the Arab Free Trade Area countries for the same period rose by 7% to record 3.048 billion dinars, compared to 2.849 billion dinars for the same period last year.

According to statistical data, Jordan’s trade deficit with the Arab region declined to 834 million dinars, compared to 906 million dinars for the same period last year.

It is worth mentioning that the Greater Arab Free Trade Area is one of the most prominent frameworks for Arab economic integration. It came into effect in January 2005 and currently includes 18 Arab countries, aiming to enhance trade exchange and reduce customs duties among its members.