Arab News: Jordan’s industrial production index climbed 2.73 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 87.62 points, driven by robust growth in manufacturing and electricity output, according to data released by the Department of Statistics.
Manufacturing production rose 3.2 percent during the first three months of the year, while electricity output increased 4.97 percent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. However, the extractive industries sector declined by 8.03 percent over the same period.
The rise in industrial activity comes as Jordan’s inflation rate accelerated by 2.21 percent annually during the first two months of 2025, fueled by rising prices in several key commodity groups.
The upward trend in the index was also reflected in January’s figures, which showed a 2.76 percent annual increase to 88 points.
In March alone, the industrial index grew by 1.73 percent year on year, reaching 87.62 points compared to 86.13 points in March 2024. Petra noted this growth was supported by a 3.38 percent increase in manufacturing and a 4.02 percent rise in electricity production, despite a sharp 23.89 percent decline in extractive industries.
Month on month, the index rose 0.44 percent from February to March, increasing from 87.24 to 87.62 points. During this period, the extractive sector rebounded with a 9.96 percent increase, while manufacturing inched up 0.41 percent. The electricity sector, however, contracted by 7.18 percent.
Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings earlier this month affirmed Jordan’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at “BB-” with a stable outlook, citing macroeconomic stability and ongoing fiscal and economic reforms.
The US-based agency highlighted Jordan’s resilient financing environment, supported by a well-capitalized banking sector, a robust public pension fund, and sustained international assistance.
Despite the stable outlook, Jordan’s credit rating remains lower than several of its regional peers. In February, Fitch reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s rating at “A+” with a stable outlook and the UAE’s at “AA-.”
A “BB” rating indicates a higher vulnerability to default risk in the event of unfavorable economic or business conditions, although some financial flexibility remains.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600550/business-economy
