Two important events that took place on August 17 should be considered together.

 

While His Majesty King Abdullah was leaving for a state visit to China, an interview he gave to Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, about Jordan's aspirations regarding its economic partnership and investment relations with China was widely published. At the same time, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, chaired a meeting aimed at reviewing preparations for the coming Jordan–EU Investment Conference to take place at the Dead Sea on November 19.

 

It is noteworthy that both of these events occurred at the same time. But more importantly, there is a clear connection between their substance.

 

If we analyze both of these developments together, a new Jordanian investment vision can be seen which aims to make the Kingdom an economically stable platform for domestic and foreign investors, connecting China, Europe, and other markets and economic activities in the region.

 

We are not saying that the Kingdom should be identified as an investment bridge between China and Europe, but we see a direction that has started to become clear in the economic diplomacy of the country and the way in which the Kingdom is promoting its competitive advantages to countries interested in investing in Jordan.

 

The interview of His Majesty with Xinhua shows it in the best way.

 

His Majesty emphasized the compatibility of Jordan's strategic position, resources, and highly qualified youth with the economic power, technological prowess, and global reach of China. He also highlighted Jordan's potential to become a manufacturing and exporting center in the region, pointing out that Chinese manufacturers would be able to utilize Jordan's workforce, stable business climate, geographical position, and large number of trade agreements.

 

This is an important economic proposal.

 

The ties between Jordan and China could increasingly go beyond traditional bilateral trade, as the aim is to attract Chinese investment, which in turn would mean that industrial capabilities and technologies are introduced into production in Jordan to provide jobs, develop Jordanians' qualifications, transfer knowledge, and produce goods and services for both regional and international markets. The King also mentioned possible cooperation in the fields of green energy, scientific innovation, and the digital economy, which is directly related to Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision.

 

At almost the same time, the Crown Prince was working on Jordan's investment relations towards Europe.

 

At the meeting on preparations for the Jordan–EU Investment Conference, the Crown Prince mentioned the need to focus on concrete investment projects in national priority sectors, speed up the process of improving the investment environment, and strengthen public-private coordination in order to overcome barriers for investors. It was very important that the Crown Prince noted that the gathering should not finish just with announcements, but that all organizations should take measures to analyze the consequences of the event and evaluate its impact on the national economy.

 

The value of investment summits is ultimately determined by whether they result in real investments. The focus on specific projects, their readiness for implementation, and measurable economic results shows a shift from generic promotion to the identification of projects that can attract considerable international investment.

 

The summit in November is an important European platform for achieving the goal. It will be a chance to present Jordan’s highly qualified personnel and strategic position at the junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa to the world. Renewable energy, clean technologies, digital economy, manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure are the priority sectors.

 

What is interesting is how relevant these sectors are for the talks with China: Renewable energy, Digital technologies, Modern industries, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Innovations.

 

This similarity opens opportunities for Jordan to think about something bigger than separate bilateral investment relations.

 

Europe and China are different but potentially complementary in terms of their advantages. China is a global industrial and technological powerhouse owing to its production and infrastructure capacities and investment capability. Europe possesses advanced technology, sophisticated financing institutions, high-value markets, regulatory expertise, and strong economic relations with Jordan.

 

Jordan adds more advantages: its political and economic stability in a turbulent region, its qualified and increasingly technology-oriented labor force, and its geographical position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, the Gulf, and the wider Middle East region. The new idea of investment should thus focus on Jordan bringing East and West together, rather than simply picking one or the other.

 

For example, a Chinese manufacturing firm wishing to reach out to locations beyond China might choose Jordan for its manufacturing, engineering, and operations activities. Genuine local value would be produced by Jordanian companies and the workforce themselves. European investors will also be able to contribute, either by investing money, technology, components, or services. Production in Jordan can serve its own, Arab, and other international markets, as long as the necessary rules of origin and regulatory requirements are met.

 

Very similar approaches may be applied to various sectors such as renewable energy technologies, e-mobility, electronics, pharmaceuticals, digital services, artificial intelligence, water technologies, food production, and others.

 

However, this concept does not have to be limited to manufacturing only.

 

Jordan may become a regional center for research, digital services, engineering, logistics, and innovation, with companies and research institutions from Europe and China being involved. Jordanian universities may join this initiative through the establishment of research cooperation with various companies. Jordan distinguishes itself through its investment potential as a point from which firms can access a broader economy.

 

In particular, Jordan’s location should be transformed into an economic advantage rather than remaining simply a geographical description.

 

To achieve this, however, investment diplomacy is not enough.

 

In order to become a successful bridge among various economic parts of the world, efficient logistics, affordable energy prices, modern industrial areas, proper customs procedures, good digital governmental services, reliable infrastructure, and predictable regulations are required. The Kingdom should also continue aligning education and professional training with the industries it wants to attract.

 

Having mentioned this, Aqaba is very important since its port, industries, logistics, and expanding digital infrastructure give Jordan both a physical and digital gateway to global markets. The importance of projects such as the Aqaba Digital Hub is already recognized by the EU.

 

However, one of the major prerequisites is strategic focus.

 

Jordan must focus on a small number of sectors in which cooperation with both Europe and China can create real advantages in the market. It can develop a comprehensive investment proposition for each sector in the country where all relevant sites, infrastructure, energy demands, skills, incentives, possible partners, export potential, and respective legislation would be indicated.

 

The Jordan-EU investment meeting scheduled for November has become a good opportunity to present Jordan in this format.

 

Instead of promoting single projects separately, Jordan can demonstrate multiple investment opportunities in the country, integrating Jordan into a system consisting of foreign capital, technologies, and experience combined with local talent and access to regional markets.

 

Indeed, the greatest benefit for the Kingdom would be achieved by attracting foreign companies to produce products, develop technologies, open regional offices in Jordan, hire Jordanian specialists, and involve local companies in their supply chains.

 

In that light, the events of August 17 take on greater meaning.While the King was discussing deeper economic and investment relations with China, the Crown Prince was preparing for Jordan’s major investment engagement with Europe.