Foreign Direct Investment

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2021 were USD 1.58 trillion, up 64 per cent from the exceptionally low level in 2020. The recovery showed significant rebound momentum, with booming merger and acquisition (M&A) markets and rapid growth in international project finance because of loose financing conditions and major infrastructure stimulus packages. However, the global environment for international business and cross-border investment changed dramatically in 2022. The war in Ukraine – on top of the lingering effects of the pandemic – is causing a triple food, fuel and finance crisis in many countries around the world. Investor uncertainty has put significant downward pressure on global FDI in 2022, and new investment project numbers, including greenfield announcements, international project finance (IPF) deals, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, all shifted in reverse after the first quarter of 2022 to start declining. Cross-border M&A sales were 6% lower and IPF values more than 30% lower in 2022. The outlook for global FDI in 2023 appears weak, with a significant number of economies around the world expected to enter a recession. Negative or slow growth in many economies, further deteriorating financing conditions, investor uncertainty in the face of multiple crises and, especially in developing countries, increasing risks associated with debt levels will put significant downward pressure on FDI (UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor, January 2023). The negative trend reflects a shift in investor sentiment due to the food, fuel and finance crises around the world, the Ukraine war, rising inflation and interest rates, and fears of a coming recession.

Historically, the Jordanian economy has benefited from massive investment by the Gulf countries, which continued to skyrocket until 2006. However, since then FDI has declined due to the international economic crisis, followed by geopolitical instability. The situation was compounded by the health and economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to UNCTAD's 2022 World Investment Report, FDI inflows totalled USD 622 million in 2021, a decline of USD 138 million from the previous year. FDI to Jordan was diversified,  with notable investments in manufacturing, real estate and services. The total stock of FDI was estimated at USD 37.3 billion in 2021. In order to boost FDI flows, the Government has planned large-scale infrastructure projects (water, transportation, nuclear energy) for which it needs foreign and private funds. A project connecting the Dead Sea to the Red Sea was supposed to start in 2018, but was delayed because Jordan failed to reach an agreement with Israel on how to build the canal. The project was further delayed in 2019 because relations between Israel and Jordan soured on Palestine. Finally in June 2021, Jordan decided to cancel the joint project with Israel and the Palestinian Authority after years of stagnation of the plan.

Jordan is seeking to become a regional logistics hub, notably for electric and transport networks. Investments are mainly concentrated in the field of real estate (residential and commercial), financial services and large tourism projects. The country's attractiveness lies mainly in the quality of its infrastructure, its solid and dynamic banking system, as well as its level of economic openness, which has allowed the establishment of free trade zones and public-private partnerships. The Government introduced a new initiative to encourage investment, including offering investors a single-window application facility through the Jordanian Investment Commission. Problems linked to bureaucracy, corruption and investment protection are obstacles to FDI.

Jordan Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 303.9 millions USD in September 2022, compared with an increase of 176.2 million USD in the previous quarter (CEIC Data, 2023)