AMMAN — Chairperson of the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), Emad Abu Haltam, on Tuesday affirmed that Jordan’s capital market serves as a "primary" pillar of the national economy, acting as a "vital" funding channel for companies and a diverse investment field for those seeking a balance of safety, liquidity and profitability.

 

Speaking at a Government Communication Forum meeting, Abu Haltam said that the Kingdom’s investment environment remains resilient and capable of attracting capital despite regional and international challenges.

 

He credited this to an "advanced" legislative framework and effective institutional oversight that bolsters local and foreign investor confidence.

 

During the forum, he emphasised three key pillars; encouraging mutual investment funds, activating the secondary market for bonds, and issuing Islamic finance Sukuk (bonds).

 

Speaking at the Government Communication Forum, Abu Haltam said the Jordanian economy has demonstrated resilience and the ability to withstand regional geopolitical challenges, maintaining its attractiveness for both regional and international investors.

 

Under the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV), the JSC is implementing several key projects, including the encouragement of mutual investment funds, enabling the issuance of Islamic finance instruments Sukuk, and activating the secondary market for bond trading on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE).

 

Regarding Islamic finance, Abu Haltam highlighted that the government has issued nearly JD2 billion in Sukuk, with all returns paid according to schedule.

 

He emphasised that the private sector is now entering this field following the approval of the first Sukuk issuance by a bank-owned financing firm.

 

The chairman also said that the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is set to issue JD1 billion in Sukuk, following Cabinet approval, which will be a qualitative leap as the first issuance of its kind by a municipality.

 

On market performance, Abu Haltam revealed that the market value of listed companies reached an unprecedented JD28 billion, an increase of around 44 per cent compared with previous periods.

 

He reported that over 60 companies declared a total net profit of approximately JD2.3 billion. Of these profits, 52 per cent (roughly JD1.2 billion) were distributed to shareholders, injecting "significant" liquidity into the national economy.

 

The Chairperson of JSC noted that the annual trading volume on the ASE reached JD2.3 billion in 2025. Despite regional instability, the market’s daily trading volume has demonstrated resilience, climbing to between JD9 million and JD12 million.

 

He further noted that foreign investment currently accounts for 47 per cent of total market ownership, a figure that underscores the Kingdom's enduring appeal to global investors

 

Touching upon the macro-economy, the chairman said Jordan’s GDP has exceeded JD40 billion, while foreign reserves at the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) have reached record levels of nearly $28 billion, ensuring monetary stability.

 

"For companies, stocks are sources of financing; for investors, they are sources of investment to enhance profitability," Abu Haltam said.

 

"When I provide the investor with what we call ‘The Triangle’ of Safety, Liquidity, and Profitability, which exists already in the Jordanian financial market, these steps provide investors with a broader range of options and support long-term economic growth," he added.

 

Touching upon the macro-economy, the chairman said Jordan’s GDP has exceeded JD40 billion, while foreign reserves at the CBJ have reached record levels of nearly $28 billion, ensuring monetary stability.

 

Addressing investor protection, Abu Haltam stressed the importance of awareness, particularly for small investors, to avoid unlicensed platforms.

 

He also noted that the JSC is finalising the regulatory framework for virtual assets to ensure a safe and transparent environment that prevents money laundering and fraud.