Freedom and Papers — Startups in Jordan

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Starting up a business involves all kinds of things. You need to pitch to investors, you need to find a location, and you need to register your business.

Choosing a location is tricky. You want somewhere that boasts plenty of opportunities for trade but will also bring in plenty of revenue. One place you should consider is Jordan, in in the Middle East. Jordan’s free-market economy makes it especially receptive to business, with special zones that offer attractive financial incentives for businesses that start up in them.

But first you must secure the investment.

Keeping investors on the right side

When you start up your business, you’ll need a business bank account for your financial dealings. You’ll also need to seek investors for startup capital. Here are some essentials for approaching (potential) investors:

  • Greet people starting from right to left.
  • Expect several minutes of small talk before getting down to business.
  • When you’re presenting your business plan, point with your whole hand, not just your finger.
  • Avoid showing the sole of your shoe. This is considered rude.
  • Refrain from drinking alcohol before the meeting, even if it’s just a glass of wine or a coffee mixed with alcohol.

Related: 30 Mission Statement Examples to Kickstart Your Business Journey + Templates

The benefits of free zones

You’ve won over investors and secured some startup capital. Now you need to set up your business. Imagine you could do this and only have to worry about the costs of running the business, then enjoying all the revenue. This is possible in Jordan’s free zones, where you’ll be exempt from tax in the following circumstances:

  • Income tax on profits from goods that you have exported out of the Kingdom of Jordan
  • Tax on profits from goods that you have sold or transferred within the free zone
  • Tax on profits from good that you have sold on the domestic market.
  • Tax on buildings and real estate construction within the free zone
  • Regarding foreign employees brought in for projects, salaries from income tax and social security.

Registering at the one stop shop (OSS)

There’s no need to feel lost when registering your business, thanks to the Jordan Investment Board’s ‘one stop shop’. The OSS comprises several representatives, mostly from governmental agencies who are involved in licensing and registering new business projects. These include the Ministries of:

  • Industry and Trade
  • Interior
  • Environment
  • Labor
  • Tourism and Antiquities
  • Health

Representatives from the Department of Land and Survey and from the Greater Amman Municipality are also part of the OSS.

The OSS will provide its registration and licensing services for projects related to industry, agriculture, hotels, hospitals, maritime transport, railways, leisure and recreational compounds, and conventions and exhibitions. These services include:

  • The registration of projects in line with Jordanian company law
  • The preliminary approval of licenses for start-ups
  • The issue of visa and permanent residency permits for investors and any foreign laborers you’ve hired for the project.

Jordan’s free-market economy welcomes new businesses. Once you’ve secured the investment, help is at hand from the Jordan Investment Board’s OSS so that you can register your business. Start up in a free zone and you can enjoy your entrepreneurial venture even more, thanks to the irresistible financial incentives. With tax free profits, you really can say ‘It’s a pleasure doing business with you’ in Jordan.