The number of Syrians investing in Jordan shot up by 197 per cent during the first two months of this year, the general controller of companies, Burhan Akroush, told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

Burhan Akroush said 101 Syrian investors launched new ventures at the Companies Control Department (CCD) during January and February 2013, up from 34 during the same period of 2012.

He indicated that the volume of investments amounted to JD4.9 million during the past two months compared to JD1.7 million during the same period of 2012.

“For the whole of last year, the rate of Syrian investors went up to 70.9 per cent, with a total of 388 firms registered, up from 113 entities in 2011,” Akroush said.

He added that the volume of investment was higher by 68.8 per cent, totalling JD19.2 million last year and JD6 million in 2011.

Despite the surge, Syrians come in second, behind Iraqis, in terms of investment in Jordan.

CCD data shows that 144 Iraqi companies registered during the first two months of this year, with a total capital of JD8.2 million, compared to 90 businesses with a capital of JD9.5 million during January and February 2012.

During the last year, the number of Iraqi investors increased by 22.4 per cent; a total of 771 firms were registered, up from 598 in 2011.

The volume of investment was higher by 21.7 per cent last year, reaching JD51.6 million from JD40.4 million in 2011.

Other investors registered in 2012, according to Akroush, are from the United States (92), United Arab Emirates (72), Saudi Arabia (69), Egypt (55), Britain (36), Lebanon (35), Kuwait (29) and Canada (26).

In total, non-Jordanian investors increased by 37 per cent; their number rose from 1,575 in 2011 to 2,061 last year, with the gross investment volume standing at JD278 million, higher by 3 per cent than the 2011 figure.

CCD statistics also show that 20 foreign companies registered last year to operate in Jordan bringing the overall number to 846.

Another 76 foreign firms registered as regional offices bringing the overall number to 2,436 corporations.

CCD readies good governance campaign

Akroush said the CCD is readying a campaign to “enlighten entrepreneurs and company executives/administrators about the importance and benefits of good governance at their businesses”.

The campaign is expected to start this month or in April, and will last “for quite some time because it will be held in several sessions, each bringing together a number of management cadres willing to adopt best practices in running their businesses”.

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