Growth rate projected at 5.3% in Jordan

Jordanian Minister of Finance Soliman Hafez said that the Jordanian Gross Domestic Product is expected to increase in 1998 by 5.3% compared to 5.2% in 1996.

The Jordanian minister added that the communications sector is expected to grow by 10%, while the social services sector will grow by 7%. He disclosed that the unemployment rate in Jordan reached 15.1% among Jordanians who are above the age of 15.

Hafez also expectes the Jordanian trade deficit will decrease by about 37 million dinars to 1.726 billion in 1998. These positive indictors were caused by increase in the volume of exports which will grow by 7% compared to the previous year.