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www.fdanews.com/articles/80733-jordan-remains-net-drug-exporter-as-modernisation-continues

JORDAN REMAINS NET DRUG EXPORTER AS MODERNISATION CONTINUES

September 8, 2005

Jordan's drug exports have continued to outstrip imports in the first half of 2005. A painful consolidation process in the domestic industry and a small local market has made the export sector an increasingly attractive option for local manufacturers.

Drug exports grew from JOD82.8mn (US$116.81mn) last year to JOD96.5mn (US$136.16mn) in the first half of 2005. Jordan has been a net exporter of medicines since 2001, and foreign sales could be boosted by the country's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession.

Jordan's drug imports accounted for approximately 74% of the market in 2004, with foreign pharmaceuticals worth JOD87.6mn (US$123.63mn) in the first half of 2005, according to official statistics. This compares with JOD78.1mn (US$110.23mn) for the same period in 2004. Import growth has been driven by a growing demand for novel therapies, and better access in the wake of the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2000.