Abu-Ghazaleh Visits Al Durra International for Food Industries at Al Hassan Industrial Estate, Discusses Investment Challenges

Al Hassan Industrial Estate, Irbid – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh visited Al Durra International for Food Industries and met its management, as well as representatives of Al Hassan Industrial Estate, Jordan Investment Commission and a host of investors to discuss the main challenges and obstacles facing the investment sector in the region and the negative impact of the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed the important role of investment in the industrial sector and its effect on the country’s national economy affirming that Jordan is capable of becoming financially independent thus eliminating the need for loans and aid.

Due to the significance of the Al Hassan Industrial Estate, he called for the establishment of a Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) office at the Estate’s headquarters with the aim of building capacities in all fields.

In reference to the challenges faced by investors relating to the Ministry of State for Investment Affairs, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh requested for a panel discussion to be organized with the participation of the Minister of State for Investment Affairs, investors and all other stakeholders at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum to address such obstacles, the future of industrial estates, and the mechanisms to improve their work to cope with developments in the industrial knowledge field.

Addressing the negative impact of the Syrian crisis on exports, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed the importance of exerting all efforts to wholly open borders for the benefit of the national economy of the two states and the other neighboring countries.

For his part, Director of Al Hassan Industrial Estate Mr. Motaz Namrouqa highly appreciated Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s efforts supporting the industrial sector in all domains; expressing pride at Al Durra Factory which accommodates around 600 Syrian and Jordanian workers and the other operating factories in the Estate, noting that the government retains 68% of the Estate’s shares and its Board of Directors represents both public and private sectors.

Namrouqa added that the textile industry used to be the predominant industry at the Estate, whereas currently there are more than 13 industrial sectors in what is considered one of the largest industrial estates in the region in terms of investment, with a 100% occupancy rate and plans for expansion.

CEO of Al Durra Factory Mr. Mohammad Kheir Al Nan stated that Al Durra is a family business that has been operational for over 150 years. It started in Syria and moved to Jordan in 2003, distributing its products in 75 countries under the name “Made in Jordan” which is a source of pride for all.

He noted that the development of the Factory is attributed to a number of factors one of which is its family heritage, adding that the Syrian crisis has driven all of us to do our best to overcome its negative impact and expressing his pride at cooperating with TAG-Org in the fields of training, capacity building and qualifying factory workers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Emad Al Nadaf, President of Al Hassan Investors Association affirmed the existence of obstacles and challenges which need solutions relating to the stability of legislations governing industrial estates and qualified industrial zones and the importance of not issuing sudden and unexpected decisions and regulations for investors.
 
The investors gave a brief presentation about their industries and the main challenges they encounter, including the high operational costs mainly the electricity bill, suggesting the need to discuss cooperation with the government for the use of solar energy.

The visit concluded with a field tour around the various sections of the Factory.