Jordan Hosts First Forum For Woodworking, Furniture And Kitchen Industries

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

AMMAN, Sept 2 (Petra) – The Jordan Chamber of Industry, in cooperation with the Jordan Furniture Exporters and Manufacturers Association (JFEMA), on Tuesday held the first forum for companies in the woodworking, furniture and kitchen sectors.
Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah, who sponsored the forum, said the ministry is committed to addressing challenges facing the industrial sector, enabling businesses to improve quality and design standards and enhance competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
He praised Jordan's woodworking, furniture, and kitchen industries as a distinguished sector with high quality, diversity, and great growth potential, capable of meeting domestic and export market demands while conveying a positive image of Jordanian products.
Qudah noted the sector relies on Jordanian expertise and skills in design and manufacturing, combining craftsmanship with modern production technologies, creating jobs, and supporting value chains linked to other industries such as construction, real estate, hotels and restaurants. He added that the ministry will work with relevant agencies and ministries to address sector challenges and support business continuity and productivity.
Fathi Al-Jaghbir, head of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, said the chamber will follow up on initiatives and proposals aimed at improving the sector's business environment and discuss them with the relevant authorities.
Taher Khaled, a representative of the furniture and woodworking sector and board member of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, said the industry has demonstrated creativity and adaptability, securing a strong position in local and regional markets thanks to product quality, diversity and responsiveness to market demands. He said the sector comprises 1,750 industrial facilities across the country, providing around 8,000 direct jobs, with exports reaching $54 million by the end of 2024 and growth exceeding 13 percent over the past five years.
Khaled emphasized the importance of digital transformation, innovation support, partnerships with universities and training centers, launching an online platform for marketing wooden products, establishing a permanent exhibition in Saudi Arabia, and collaborating with construction and engineering sectors to access promising markets.
Mohammad Abbas, JFEMA president, said the association, established in 2004, seeks to promote dialogue among members, develop the workforce through training programs, enhance manufacturing techniques, and maintain strategic relationships with funding entities to benefit member companies.
He added that the association represents Jordanian furniture and woodworking exporters and manufacturers locally and internationally, participating in specialized and comprehensive trade fairs to expand market opportunities.
Forum participants discussed challenges such as rising operational costs, shortage of skilled labor, weak vocational training, and export difficulties related to production capacity and other factors.

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