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Economic Success
Story
true that Saudi Arabia and
other oil-rich states have
contributed to Jordan's
economy, the infusion of
foreign assistance alone
cannot begin to explain
Jordan's rapid economic
strides. Other countries
have received much more in
aid and have done
considerably less with it.
Jordan is a desert miracle.
lts economic success story
is virtually unprecedented in
modern history. Few
countries have had to
struggle harder with such
limited resources to
overcome greater
obstacles.
The country of
Jordan-about the size of
the state of Indiana, or of
Scotland and Wales
combined- today
comprises the East Bank of
the Jordan River and
adjoining desert expanses.
The almos! landlocked
kingdom is shaped
something like an ax with its
head chopping into Arabia.
More than 80 percent of
Jordan is barren desert.
The country also lacks the
petroleum resources that
have vitalized the
economies of other Arab
nations. Moreover, only
about 15 percent of
Jordan's land is under
cultivation or permanent
pasture.
Yet inside Jordan, signs
of never-before-experienced
affluence are encountered
at every turn: bustling
streets with traffic jams,
deluxe hotels and fine
restaurants, countless
boutiques and Parisian
dress shops, forests of
television antennas,
crowded discotheques and
an increasing number of
well-stocked supermarkets.
Amman, Jordan's
fast-growing capital , is in
the midst of an unparalleled
construction boom. New
high-rise office buildings,
hotels, apartment houses
and homes are going up all
around the city. Jordan,
which has no
unemployment, must bring
in thousands of laborers
from other Arab countries
to meet the increased
demand for construction
workers. lt is hard to
believe that just a few
decades ago this dynamic
city was but a sleepy,
out-of-the-way desert
capital.
Even in rural areas, lile is
noticeably better than just a
few years ago.
How, then, is Jordan's
amazing economic success
to be explained? Take a
look, first, at the main
elements of Jordan's
economy.
Farming and herding
have long been the chief
occupations of Jordan's
people. Wheat , barley, figs,
olives, grapes, fruits and
vegetables are among their
crops. Livestock includes
sheep, goats, cattle and
poultry.
Today, industry is also
assuming a major role in
the nation's economy. The
manufacturing of textiles,
chemicals, fertilizers and
cement, along with
petroleum refining and food
processing, has taken on
steadily increasing
importance.
Phosphate mining is of
particular significance in the
economic picture . Jordan is
now the world 's third
largest exporter of
phosphates, from which
fertilizers are produced.
Phosphates account for
nearly 30 percent of the
country's exports.
Tourism is another
mainstay of the Jordanian
economy. Jordan is a land
of surprising contrasts, with
a wide variety of attractions
to offer the tourist. Biblical
sites, Hellenistic and Roman
palaces and theaters,
Crusader castles, Moslem
shrines and mosques,
unspoiled desert
landscapes and
unparalleled clear-water
scuba diving are among the
country's tourist offerings.
And the jewel of Jordanian
tourism-the ancient
rock-hewn Nabataean
stronghold of Petra-draws
multiple thousands of
visitors each year.
But perhaps Jordan's
foremost attraction is its
people. In the ancient
tradition of Arab desert
hospitality, Jordanians seem
genuinely pleased to have
visitors. The old-fashioned
virtues and courtesies are
still widely practiced. A
woman tourist can travel
alone in Jordan without fear
of the annoyances that are
often encountered
elsewhere in the Middle
East.
Nevertheless, it remains a
fact that Jordan's
agriculture and its various
industries suffer under
enormous geographical
limitations. But they have
prospered despite them.
Why?
The key to Jordan's
economic success has
been an uncommonly
~ise
and prudent use of
available financia! and
human resources. While it is
In Jordan, money and
talent have been carefully
channeled into sectors of
the economy where they
could have the optimum
effect. Unlike countless
other developing countries,
Jordan has proceeded with
a clear and realistic picture
of its problems and
potentials. The impressive
results are a testimony to
this sensible and judicious
approach.
lrrigation projects have
opened up thousands of
acres of profitable farmland.
Agricultura! methods have
been improved. Large
mining and industrial
projects have infused new
lite into the economy.
Promotion of tourism and
development of facilities for
visitors have paid off
handsomely.
Much of the credit for
this success must go to
King Hussein himself.
Acutely aware of his
people's needs, he has
kept a sharp eye on the
country's finances,
overseeing spending in
accordance with Jordan's
long-term interests.
A less prudent ruler-as
has often been witnessed
elsewhere- could have
squandered funds
indiscriminately for
personal benefit and on
projects far less vital to the
nation. o
of sophisticated new American
~eapons-including
mobile Hawk
antiaircraft missiles and advanced
F-16 fighter-bombers-would fur–
ther bolster its armed strength.
war between the two countries
could be extremely bloody.
growth of another problem of
regional concern.
But even at present strengths, a
4
lran-lraq War
Much of the friction between
Aroman and Damascus is an out-
To the east of Jordan lies Iraq, a
country engaged in a protracted
war against revolutionary Iran. The
Iraq-Iran war has deeply frag-
The PLAIN TRUTH