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Doing business & staying in touch

A good supply of business cards is essential. Business cards with colour, graphics or photos will impress, as will those with your details translated into Arabic. Formality in dress is important: men should wear a suit and tie for business meetings while women should be mindful of local sensitivities (for example, avoid short, tight-fitting business skirts and low necklines).

Arriving on time for meetings is important, even if your counterpart may well be late. Never take offence if meetings are cancelled, postponed, interrupted or include other people, this is normal in Jordan.

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Personal relationships are central to doing business in Jordan. English is widely spoken in business circles and always make an effort to get to know your counterpart socially before getting down to the deal. You can engage in small talk, but avoid making uninformed remarks about religion and politics. Islam always plays an important role in society and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are respected. For this reason avoid Friday appointments.

The working week is Sunday to Thursday, generally 0900-1800, with a two-hour lunch break from 1330-1530. Some business people may also be available on Saturdays. During the month of Ramadan, there is no lunch break and work will end around 1400 or 1500; this is not a good time to do business, nor are the other Muslim holidays.

Office hours: 

Sun-Thurs 0930-1330 and 1530-1800.

Government office hours: Sun-Thurs 0800-1500. During the month of Ramadan, working hours are greatly reduced.

Economy: 

Jordan's agricultural sector produces tomatoes, citrus fruit, cucumbers, watermelons, aubergines and wheat, mostly grown in the fertile ground along the Jordan Valley. Phosphate mining and potash extraction are the traditional industries; oil refining, chemical manufacturing and the production of metals and minerals also contribute to this sector. The service sector accounts for around two-thirds of total output and covers wholesale and retail trading, finance, transport and tourism.

Jordan is a member of various pan-Arab economic bodies, notably the Council of Arab Economic Co-operation and the Arab Monetary Fund. Jordan also belongs to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has a free trade accord with the USA and an association agreement with the EU.

Employment has proved a challenge for the government through the past decade and many Jordanian workers have moved abroad in search of employment - a trend the government is trying to reverse. To help improve productivity and make Jordan a more attractive country for foreign investment, the government has reduced its debt-to-GDP ratio. A major challenge now facing Jordan is reducing dependence on foreign grants.
Most of Jordan's top hotels have fully equipped conference facilities. Large, world-class events are usually held in the King Hussein Bin Talal Conference Centre (www.dscc.jo) on the Dead Sea or the Zara Expo (www.zaraexpo.com) in Amman.

GDP: 

US$20 billion (2008).

Main exports: 

Phosphates, potash, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals and clothing.

Main imports: 

Crude oil, manufactured goods, machinery and textile fabrics.

Main trading partners: 

Saudi Arabia, USA, Iraq, China (PR) and India.

Staying in touch in Jordan

Telephone: 

Card phones are available in most big cities and major tourist sites; cards can be purchased at numerous shops. International calls from hotels and post offices carry a three-minute minimum charge.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet: 

There are Internet cafes throughout the country.

Post: 

Packages should be left opened for customs officials. The Central Post Office in Amman (www.jordanpost.com.jo) is the only post office where packages can be sent. Airmail to Western Europe takes three to five days. For a higher charge, there is a rapid service guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours to around 22 countries.

Post office hours: 

Sat-Thurs 0800-1900 in summer and 0700-1700 in winter, Fri 0700-1300.

Media: 

Jordan's TV and radio services are centralised through Jordan Media City (JMC), a private company with government support. JMC currently transmits 120 programme channels. Freedom of the press is tempered by local sensibilities. State-run Jordan Radio and Television provides services in Arabic, English and French; the English-language newspapers are The Jordan Times (daily) and The Star (weekly).

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