His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday visited the Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company’s factory in Al Tajamouat Industrial Zone, Sahab, which exports products to the United States and the European Union.

Established in 2000, the Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company has three factory units and employs around 800 Jordanians, including 50 job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

At a meeting with the company’s chairperson and senior executives, King Abdullah praised the firm for being the first Jordanian and Arab company to be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in New York City. Trading will begin on Friday.

His Majesty affirmed his support for companies implementing investment projects around Jordan, stressing the importance of providing an investment-friendly climate to enable companies to overcome challenges.

The King also noted the important role of the Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company in benefiting local communities and its contributions to economic development.

During the visit, His Majesty wished workers a happy Labour Day, marked on 1 May, expressing his pride in and appreciation for their contributions to the Kingdom’s prosperity.

The King said Jordanian women must play a key role in productive sectors, calling for empowering women and increasing their economic participation.

His Majesty toured the factory and was briefed on the company’s plans to open a new satellite project in Al Hassa, employing and training 500 women in the area.

The company’s centre will include a nursery and a sports ground open to the community.

Company Chairperson Choi Lin Hung and a number of executives briefed the King on the production process at the factory.

The chairperson said Jordan’s security and stability, as well as the advantages offered by the Kingdom’s economy have encouraged the company to expand its investments and hire more Jordanians.

The company also works to empower local communities by providing training and employment opportunities, as part of its corporate social responsibility, he added.

In a press interview, Chairperson Choi Lin Hung said the company has grown from employing 300 into 3,000, including Jordanians and non-Jordanians.

Listing the Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange will increase its financial resources, he continued, which would enable it to expand investments in Jordan.

Labour Minister Samir Murad described the company as a major successful Chinese investment in Jordan.

Highlighting plans to open a new satellite project in Al Hassa, Executive Manager of Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company Oryana Awaisheh said the idea for this project came after His Majesty’s visit to the Netherlands.

Representatives of the garment sector and others accompanied the King on the visit, and the company agreed to increase its exports to the European market after Dutch investors expressed interest in its products. The Al Hassa project will help increase the company’s production to meet European market needs, according to Awaisheh.

She added that the company’s training centres have qualified 150 workers over the past two months, noting that trainees receive a monthly pay.

Many employees have gone on to assume leading or supervisory positions in the company after gaining enough experience, Awaisheh said.