80
Furthermore, the impact of the global financial crisis was particularly severe for the private
sector in Jordan in terms of satisfying the requirements of GL program applications. As a
response, in 2014, Jordan Customs made a legislative change to reduce the number of Customs
declarations that is necessary to apply to the program from 100 to 70 as well as a considerable
cut down on the paperwork.
4.1.1.3. Current Situation
Currently 88 companies in Jordan holds GL status covering 7.5 percent of imports and 22
percent of exports (Table 4.2). The major increase in the number of GL companies was realized
in 2017 after Jordan Customs started to invite eligible companies to apply for the program.
There is no sectoral priority as shown in the comparator matrix presented in Annex IV.
Table 4.2. Sectoral Distribution of Golden list companies
Sector Number of Companies
Import & Export 78
QIZ 3
Warehousing 1
Brokers 2
Carriers 4
Total 88
Source: Jordan Customs
4.1.1.4. Mutual Recognition Agreements
Current
The first MRA of Jordan was signed with the United States of America in May, 2008 with
comprehensive coverage in terms of security and rather weaker trade facilitation measures.
Since the program was designed with the initiative and the help of the US, the first priority for
the US was to guarantee the safe passage of its goods from Jordanian territory and
safety/security of imports from Jordan as well.
Next, Jordan signed MRAs with Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia in May 2016 under the framework
of Agadir Agreement.
Potential
The volume of trade with a country is the main determinant to initiate MRA negotiations.
Jordan plans to negotiate an MRA with Turkey in the near future.
4.1.1.5. Silver List Program
Apart from the GL program, Jordan Customs initiated silver list program (SL) in 2017. The
program targets committed SMEs by enabling them to utilize some of the privileges that GL
companies enjoy. An additional goal of the program is to motivate committed companies with
large business to apply for the Golden List Program.