JORDAN
Since February 2023
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Regulation No. 7 of 2023, Regulating the Investment Environment Regulation for the Year 2023
نظام تنظيم البيئة الاستثمارية رقم (7) لسنة 2023
نظام تنظيم البيئة الاستثمارية رقم (7) لسنة 2023
In accordance with Art. 11 of Regulation No. 7, foreign ownership for import and export services is limited to less than 50%, except in instances where foreign equity is necessary for the purposes of performing the economic activity. It has been reported that the foreign equity limit is subject to approval by the Cabinet based on a recommendation by the Minister of Investment. Similar restrictions were stipulated in Art. 4 of Regulation No. 77 and, before, in Art. 3 of Regulation No. 54.
Coverage Import and export services
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240715152316/https://moin.gov.jo/ebv4.0/root_storage/en/eb_list_page/investment_environment_regulation_no__(7)_for_the_year_2023-english_(2).pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240807195248/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S446R1.pdf&Open=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241204030146/https://assets-global.website-files.com/601b3fe900f2a66ff84d23e2/60f0d27ac46014005895c42d_jordan-investment-law-l0rnabfi.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241204030148/https://majalilaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Non-Jordanian-Investments-Regulation-2000.pdf
- Show more...
JORDAN
Reported in 2019, last reported in 2025
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
Reported screening of foreign investments
It is reported that, in the interest of national security, foreign investors are required to undergo security screening administered by the Ministry of the Interior, which constitutes an integral part of the registration process.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251204150712/https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/jordan
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250321050414/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/jordan/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251204150644/https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-investment-climate-statements/jordan
- Show more...
JORDAN
Reported in 2023, last reported in 2025
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Reported requirement for local representation of foreign applicants
It is reported that, where the applicant does not reside in Jordan, a patent attorney or patent agent registered to practise before the Office must be appointed. In addition, if the applicant is represented by an agent, the provision of a power of attorney is required.
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Since June 2017
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Jordan is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Since March 1992, last amended in June 2014
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law No. 22 of 1992 on the Protection of Copyright and Neighboring Rights
قانون حماية حق المؤلف والحقوق المجاورة رقم 22 لسنة 1992
قانون حماية حق المؤلف والحقوق المجاورة رقم 22 لسنة 1992
Jordan has a copyright regime under Law No. 22 of 1992. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Art. 17 lists the exceptions, which include presenting for educational purposes; employing the work for private personal use; relying on the work for illustration in education; among others
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Reported in 2021, last reported in 2024
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Although Jordan has made strides in providing more comprehensive protection of intellectual property (IP) rights, significant challenges regarding IP protection and enforcement continue to persist. Reports indicate that both physical and online copyright infringement remain widespread, with a notable proportion of videos and software sold in the marketplace being pirated. Many retail outlets openly sell television set-top boxes that facilitate access to pirated content. The National Library, as the leading IP authority in Jordan, has acknowledged difficulties in combating these infringements, citing a lack of adequate resources.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210928215720/https://www.privacyshield.gov/article?id=Jordan-Protecting-Intellectual-Property
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240330123614/https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2024%20NTE%20Report_1.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230802173151/https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15109
- Show more...
JORDAN
Since April 2004
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Jordan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Since May 2004
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Jordan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Since May 2000
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Effective protection covering trade secrets
Law No. 15/2000 on Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Law
قانون المنافسة غير المشروعة والأسرار التجارية رقم 15 لسنة 2000
قانون المنافسة غير المشروعة والأسرار التجارية رقم 15 لسنة 2000
Jordan has established a legal framework that effectively safeguards trade secrets through Law No. 15/2000 on Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition. Arts. 5 to 7 of this Law delineate fundamental principles concerning the protection of trade secrets. Art. 5 affirms the rights of individuals who lawfully control trade secrets, enabling them to disclose, utilise, and protect these secrets from any form of misuse. Art. 6 characterises the misappropriation of trade secrets as the unauthorised acquisition, use, or disclosure of such secrets in contravention of fair commercial practices. This provision specifies particular violations, including breaches of contract and inducements to violate trust, while clarifying that individual access or reverse engineering does not amount to misuse. Finally, Art. 7 empowers the lawful controller of trade secrets to seek compensation for damages resulting from misuse and to initiate legal actions aimed at halting misuse, seizing misappropriated items, and preserving relevant evidence.
Coverage Horizontal
JORDAN
Reported in 2017, last reported in 2024
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Requirement of passive infrastructure sharing
It is reported that there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Jordan to deliver telecommunications services to end-users, and this practice is observed in both the mobile and fixed-line sectors.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
JORDAN
Reported in 2015, last reported in 2024
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Presence of shares owned by the government in the telecom sector
The government of Jordan holds an equity stake in the Jordan Telecommunications Company (Orange Jordan) through the Social Security Corporation, which possesses 29% of the company’s issued shares.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251204154800/https://orange.jo/sites/default/files/documents/95598-Annual%20Report%202024%20EN%20DIGITAL.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251204154813/https://orange.jo/sites/default/files/documents/orange-annual-report-2022.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251204154829/https://orange.jo/sites/default/files/documents/orange_annual_report_2015_en.pdf
- Show more...
JORDAN
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Functional/accounting separation for operators with significant market power
Requirement of accounting and functional separation for dominant network operators
It is reported that Jordan mandates functional and accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
JORDAN
N/A
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in the Information Technology Agreement Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Jordan is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996, but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
Sources
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
- Show more...
JORDAN
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
1.25%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
83.57%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
