Jordan’s leather and textile industry created 1,500 jobs in the first nine months this year, according to Ihab Qadri, who represents the sector in the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI).

The number of Jordanian workers in that industry increased by 4 per cent year on year (YoY) during the period, Qadri told a domestic news agency.

This clearly demonstrates the sector transforming the principles of the government’s Economic Modernisation Vision into tangible job opportunities, he emphasized.

The number of Jordanian workers in the sector has now exceeded 29,000, he said.

Qadri affirmed that the sector can generate thousands of direct jobs provided several enabling factors, including expedited provision of skilled local labour through collaboration between the Sector Skills Council and vocational training centres as well as the development of curricula and training programmes, are addressed.

The Textile Cluster project, which can enhance value-added supply chains through vertical and horizontal integration, also needs support, he noted.

The sector has seen a rise of over 21 per cent in exports over the past seven months and a return to a positive growth trajectory, he said.

The implementation of the Leather and Textile Sector Strategy launched by the ministry of industry, trade and supply includes an ambitious vision for the country to turn a regional hub for fast fashion, he added.