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Source: Jordan Times, AmmanOct.儲存 06--AMMAN -- Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC) seeks to invest in renewable energy in a bid to reduce power costs for investors and to steer more manufacturing to the Kingdom, JIEC Director General Loay Sehwail said.Energy costs, particularly electricity, is the industrial sector's main challenge, which makes it essential for the corporation to find alternative sources of power to reduce costs for investors and to make the business environment in industrial estates more attractive for new investments, Sehwail said in a recent interview with The Jordan Times.The corporation will be implementing renewable energy projects, particularly solar power, as soon as possible, he noted, indicating that JIEC is also preparing a promotional campaign targeting investors in international markets.Sehwail pointed out that JIEC attracted during the first half of this year a total of 26 new investments valued at JD25.3 million that are expected to create around 2,000 jobs.During the same period of 2012, the value of investments stood at JD14.2 million by 17 industrial schemes, he said.Jordanians are largest investorsAccording to Sehwail, Jordanians accounted for 58 per cent of overall industrial investments since the establishment of JIEC in 1980.Iraqis came second with 12 per cent, Saudis third with 3 per cent and Lebanese fourth with only 2 per cent.The rest of investors included businesspeople from various nationalities such as the United Arab Emirates, Spain, the US and Palestinians among others, he noted.Value of investmentsSince its establishment, the JIEC attracted a total of 593 investments worth JD2.15 billion creating more than 38,300 jobs.King Abdullah Industrial Estate in Sahab, southern Amman, attracted most of the investments with 396 factories valued at JD1.47 billion, according to Sehwail, who ranked Al Hassan Industrial Estate in Irbid as second with a total of 122 schemes valued at JD226 million.He estimated exports of the industrial zones at around JD546 million.Investors not quitting Jordanian marketCountering rumours that several Jordanian and foreign investors have abandoned the Jordanian market due to rising production costs caused by energy prices, Sehwail said the increase in investment volumes in industrial estates refute such allegations."The current political instability 儲存倉n the region and the attractive and secure environment in Jordan has encouraged investors to choose Jordan as an ideal place for their businesses," he added.Jordan's strategic location and free trade agreements, which make it easier for businesspeople to access other markets, is also another advantage for the country, the JIEC chief elaborated."Not only new projects are coming to Jordan but also businesspeople who already have investments in the Kingdom are expanding their businesses," Sehwail stressed.Just very few investments exited the Jordanian market due to private reasons only and nothing to do with the energy issue in Jordan, he indicated, noting that region turmoil has motivated JIEC to attract more investments as investors see Jordan as a safe haven for their businesses, he said.JIEC financial performanceSehwail said that the corporation's operational revenues in 2012 reached JD8.4 million generating net profit of JD1.7 million compared to JD2.2 million in losses the year before.Operational expenses were down by 27 per cent last year, Sehwail added, pointing out that the corporation's indebtedness declined by 54 per cent after the company paid off JD17.6 million of its debts.The sound financial performance is enabling JIEC to implement capital projects that seek to expand infrastructure and improve services at several industrial estates, he noted.Occupancy ratesSehwail noted that occupancy rate at King Abdullah Industrial Estate in Sahab is currently 100 per cent, while at Al Hassan Industrial Estate in Irbid it stands at 82 per cent.Occupancy rate at King Hussein Industrial Estate in the southern governorate of Karak is 48 per cent of developed lands, while it is 85 per cent in terms of buildings.Future projectsSehwail revealed that the JIEC is scheduled to sign an agreement soon with the Mafraq Development Company to establish and manage an industrial estate on 1,862 dunums of land in Mafraq, which is 60 kilometres northeast Amman.He highlighted the importance of setting up an industrial estate in Mafraq, which is close to the borders of Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia.JIEC also plans to construct industrial estate in Zarqa and Madaba, Sehwail concluded.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) Visit the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) at .jordantimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉最平