Twenty-one new factories in Jordan

The Jordanian government licensed 21 new factories last week as part of its efforts to increase local industry, according to an announcement made by the Jordanian Ministry of Rural and Environmental Affairs on August 4.

The ministry said investment in the factories will total 46 million US dollars. Investors include Jordanians and Arab Gulf residents. The factories will produce chemical fertilizers, medical equipment, food, soap, paint and furniture.

These factories will be a "part of the government's plans to encourage investment in Jordan," Tawfiq Kreishan, Jordanian minister of rural and environmental affairs, told the daily al Rai.