Jordan

Phosphorite deposits in the south of the country have made Jordan one of the largest producers and exporters of this mineral in the world. Potash salt is an important component of Jordan's mining sector. Potash salt is extracted from the waters of the Dead Sea and is the lowest cost in the world, partly because solar evaporation is used.

Studies prove that Jordan is at risk of rapid desertification. It receives little precipitation — 90 percent of the country receives less than 200 mm per year. Deforestation, soil erosion, improper land use and cultivation, climate change and drought, rapid urbanization — all this leads to increased desertification.

According to the classification of the World Bank, Jordan belongs to the countries "with an above-average income level". The Jordanian market is considered one of the most developed Arab markets outside the Persian Gulf countries.

More than 20 percent of the country's workforce is reportedly employed in industry (2012). The main industrial products are potassium salts, phosphates, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing, fertilizers. The most promising segment of the industry is construction. In the last few years, the demand for housing and offices of foreign companies based in Jordan has sharply increased.

Water and electricity shortages also make it difficult for the economy to develop consistently. Despite these problems, Jordan's economic openness and the production of fertilizers with pharmaceutical products are a source of foreign currency.

Energy remains the biggest problem for the further growth of the Jordanian economy. The lack of domestic resources in the country is solved with the help of an investment program in the industry. The program is aimed at reducing dependence on imported products from the current level with the help of renewable sources. Unlike most of its neighbors, Jordan does not have significant oil resources and is heavily dependent on oil imports to meet its domestic energy needs.

Saudi Arabia is currently the main source of imported oil. With oil costs remaining high, interest in the possibility of using Jordan's huge shale resources has increased. Jordan's shale reserves are the fourth largest in the world.

Natural gas is increasingly being used to meet the country's domestic energy needs.

Installed capacity — net of power plants — 5,227 MW, including: thermal power plants burning organic fuel — 71.6%, renewable energy sources — 28.4%.

Despite the growth of production, the share of the agricultural sector in the economy is steadily declining. The most profitable segment of Jordan's agriculture is the production of fruits and vegetables (including tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus fruits and bananas). The remaining crop production, especially grain production, remains unstable due to the lack of precipitation. Fish farming and forestry have little development in terms of the overall domestic economy.

Exports: potash fertilizers, wool products, phosphates, medicines, clothing and agricultural products. The main buyers are the USA, Saudi Arabia, India, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.

Imports: automobiles, natural gas, crude oil, petroleum products, wheat, electronics and electrical goods, food, metal products and raw materials. Main suppliers: China, Saudi Arabia, USA, United Arab Emirates and Germany.