How did the Qatar World Cup reflect positively on the economic sectors in Jordan?

Amman

- Farmer Abdullah Al-Zureikat did not expect the World Cup in Qatar to reflect positively on his crops, after he received a request last September from an agricultural company to grow specific varieties of vegetables, with certain specifications, to be exported to Doha.

Al-Zureikat adds to Al-Jazeera Net that the demand for vegetables produced - according to hydroponic farming methods that are distinguished by their nutritional characteristics and are far from chemical pesticides - has been met with an increase by exporters to Qatar, with the World Cup fans flocking to attend the matches.

Al-Zureikat participates in various economic and commercial activities that have obtained construction bids or provide logistical services and equipment for stadiums, and security teams participate in maintaining security and ensuring public protection in Qatari stadiums.

According to official figures, Jordan's exports of agricultural products have exceeded 1,700 tons per month since the beginning of the year 2022, while it ranged around 1,500 tons per month during the past year 2021. Exports are carried out through refrigerators via land transport and commercial aviation.

Jordanian exports to Qatar rose 10% during the first eight months of 2022 (Al-Jazeera)

Quality of agricultural and food products

Jordan exports to Qatar vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, cheese, fresh milk and its derivatives, grains, dates, oils, ghee and other items, while Jordan imports from Qatar various chemicals, aluminum molds, iron bars, chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers and medical solutions, in addition to food commodities and products.

The head of the Jordanian Association for Exporters and Producers of Vegetables and Fruits, Abdullah Al-Zabin, said that the Qatari demand for Jordanian vegetable and fruit products increased during the last period with the start of the World Cup matches and the influx of fans, which reflected positively on Jordanian farms, stressing the quality of Jordanian agricultural and food products.

He added to Al-Jazeera Net that Jordanian products have been requested and accepted by Qataris, and many varieties of Jordanian vegetables and fruits are available in the Qatari markets, which are distinguished by the quality of their production, and indicated that the export of vegetable products faces challenges.

Most notably: exporting via aircraft, which raises transportation costs for Jordanian products, pointing out that Jordanian products have high-quality agricultural and productive specifications.

The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Qatar increased during the first eight months of this year by 63%, - according to specialists - exceeding 105 million dinars (148 million dollars), while it recorded during the same period last year 64 million dinars (90 million dollars). .

The director of the Amman Chamber of Industry, Nael Al-Hussami, told Al-Jazeera Net that the trade balance between the two countries recorded an increase of 10%, and Jordanian exports to Qatar increased during the first 8 months of 2022 by 43%, recording an increase from 52 to 74 million dinars (73-104 million dollars).

The increase in Jordanian exports to Qatar indicates the quality and mastery of those exports and their acceptance by the Qatari consumer, in addition to the promotion and marketing of Jordanian industries to the World Cup audience, which exceeded one million from all over the world, especially food products, vegetables, fruits and Jordanian olive oil, according to Al-Hussami.

During the past year 2021, the volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to 115 million dinars ($162 million), and Jordanian exports recorded about 91 million dinars ($128 million). The Jordanian Chambers of Commerce and Industry are working to increase cooperation and trade exchange with Qatar.

Through mutual visits between stakeholders from both countries, and attracting more Qatari investments to the Kingdom of Jordan.

During the last 10 years, the volume of trade exchange between Amman and Doha amounted to about $627 million, of which Jordanian exports amounted to about $420 million, while imports amounted to about $230 million.

The demand for vegetables produced according to hydroponics methods that are far from chemical pesticides has met an increase in demand by exporters to Qatar (Al-Jazeera)

Positive recovery

According to economists and businessmen;

The economic and service sectors have achieved a recovery with the World Cup held in Qatar, and the World Cup has positively affected various economic sectors, especially agricultural and food products.

It is related to the meals and foods provided to the participants in the World Cup, and the reliance on the Jordanian market, as one of the important food sources for Qatar.

Economic expert Hussam Ayesh believes that Jordan has benefited from organizing the World Cup in many ways.

Most notably: providing great security and logistical services.

Companies and factories provided logistical services to equip stadiums, dressing rooms, etc., and the national carrier - Royal Jordanian Airlines - and Queen Alia International Airport achieved an increase in air traffic, which was reflected in the increase in the profits of the airport company, which is reflected in the revenues of the public treasury positively.

In addition, it is expected that nearly a million visitors will pass from Amman “transit” to Doha, and some of them may stay in Jordan for days, which will contribute to the recovery of tourism, with an increase in the number of visitors to restaurants and cafes that have achieved a good return by increasing their number of visitors to attend the World Cup matches.

Ayesh believes that the returns to Jordan from the World Cup are many and varied, and those returns are related to the parties, individuals and institutions that benefited from them, but the problem seems to be that the Jordanian citizen did not feel these returns in a way that affects his life affairs.

Remittances from Jordanians working in Qatar increased this year by 5%, rising from 190 to 200 million dinars (267-282 million dollars), during the first half of this year.

The number of workers in Qatar increased by 10 thousand Jordanians during the past three years, recording 70 thousand Jordanians, and the number is expected to increase due to attracting Jordanian talents.