His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday highlighted the importance of maintaining Jordan’s pioneering role in the pharmaceutical industry, during a meeting with representatives of the sector at Al Husseiniya Palace.

At the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and held as part of a series of meetings with representatives of several industries, King Abdullah said the industrial sector is a major contributor to the national economy.

His Majesty urged cooperation among institutions to mitigate any challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said the pharmaceutical industry is a leading sector in Jordan and has significant growth potential, which will facilitate the implementation of the Economic Modernisation Vision’s targets.

Prime Minister Khasawneh said the sector employs almost 7,000 workers and contributes nearly JD500 million to the gross domestic product.

For his part, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply and Minister of Labour Yousef Shamali said the pharmaceutical industry is an enabler for other sectors and has a vital role in economic growth, as it exports to 78 markets and employs thousands.

The minister added that the amended bylaw for testing pharmaceuticals will accelerate medicine registration, which will help increase production and exports.

Shamali said there are 23 locations for pharmaceutical production in Jordan, noting that the government is working on promoting research and development, as well as adopting policies to attract investments, in parallel to measures underway to automate all transactions.

The King listened to a briefing by sector stakeholders on their vision for the pharmaceutical industry, means to enhance its contribution to the economy, and suggestions to increase pharmaceutical production and promotion, thus leading to an increase in exports and job opportunities.