Top 3 Money Transfer Providers for UK to Jordan

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Summary

The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is fully convertible and is pegged to the US dollar. Jordan does not restrict currency transfers; international money transfers can be sent to or from Jordan with minor administrative requirements.

Jordan’s money transfer regulations

Jordan has liberal foreign exchange laws and permits foreigners to send money out of the country from proceeds of the liquidation of investment projects, profits, or investment returns. Non-citizens of Jordan who are working in the country and wish to make international transfers or remittances of salary, earnings, or other compensation are permitted to do so with little to no restrictions. Currently, the Jordanian dinar (JD) is fully convertible for any capital or commercial transactions, and is pegged to the US dollar.

Remittances to Jordan from citizens working abroad account for a large portion of funds used by families within Jordan. According to the World Bank, remittances of US$300m in 2010 earned Jordan a ranking of 10th place among all developing countries in terms of remittances received. The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) also listed Jordan as the third biggest recipient of remittances among Arab countries as of 2010, behind Egypt and Lebanon.

Jordan’s monetary and regulatory authority

The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) oversees foreign exchange transactions and ensures all transfers and fx payments meet established regulatory requirements. Non-residents of Jordan are permitted to open bank accounts in foreign currencies, and these accounts are exempted from commission fees typically charged by the CBJ for money transfers. There are currently no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that Jordan residents may keep in their bank accounts, and there are also no limits on the amount residents may transfer abroad. CBJ approval is not required for fund transfers for individual or investment-related transfers, though stricter oversight procedures to monitor wire transfers have recently been implemented to help prevent illicit cash flows.

Jordan economic background

Jordan has one of the smallest economies in the Middle East and must battle a lack of natural resources such as water and oil, making it heavily reliant on foreign assistance. In an effort to improve its economy and increase its global standing, the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2000, and signed a trade agreement with the United States, the Jordan-United States Free Trade Agreement, which came into full effect in 2010. In 2001, it entered into an association agreement with the European Union (EU), and in 2003 it entered into a Bilateral Investment Treaty with the US. Still, the government of Jordan must deal with high rates of unemployment, chronic poverty, and a large budget deficit, due largely to its need to import necessities such as water and oil. Jordans King Abdallah has attempted to implement economic reforms since assuming the throne in 1999, hoping to attract foreign direct investment and improve the countrys business climate. The general investment outlook for Jordan today is moderately favorable.

Foreign investment in Jordan

In an effort to induce foreign investment in Jordan, King Abdallah has implemented a number of economic reforms, including opening the countrys trade regime, privatizing many formerly state-owned companies, and eliminating some subsidies on fuel. Jordans construction, tourism, and export-focused sectors were damaged during the global economic slowdown that began in 2008, and by regional turmoil caused largely by terrorism and the political instability of its neighbors. The countrys GDP has decreased in recent years, and between 2011 and 2012 Jordans government approved a budgetary supplement and two economic relief packages. As part of its efforts to correct budgetary imbalances in its balance of payments, Jordan entered into a multiple year International Monetary Fund Stand-By Arrangement valued at $2.1 billion. To help combat energy shortfalls, the country is currently exploring nuclear power generation and other renewable energy technologies.

The Jordanian government has made a number of privatization efforts to help improve its economy and provide wider investment opportunities for foreign and domestic investors. In the past decade, the country has privatized a number of energy sector companies, including both distribution focused companies and power generating companies. Other privatization efforts have included privatizing companies in the airline industry, medical and industrial waste sector, a passenger and cargo rail system, and the postal system. The creation of a new energy law will also open the hydrocarbon sector to foreign and local investors.

With some exceptions, foreign and domestic investors are treated equally under Jordans current investment laws. Currently, investors are limited to 50% ownership of certain businesses and services, including aircraft or maritime vessel maintenance, printing and publishing companies, and repair services. For the most recent information on investment restrictions of this type, please refer to the US government trade agreement website.

Foreign investors also have limitations on ownership of certain types of businesses. Currently, foreign investors are not permitted to partially or fully own customs clearance services, land transportation services, investigation or security services, stone quarrying operations for construction use, or sports clubs (health clubs are permitted). Exemptions are available, however, through application to the Investment Promotion Committee of Jordan.

Currency

Jordans official currency is the Jordanian dinar (JD), a fixed currency that is currently pegged to the US dollar. The dinar is divided into 10 dirham, 100 qirsh (also referred to as piastres) or 1000 fulus. It is available in coins in denominations of and 1 qirsh, 2, 5, and 10 piastres, and , , and 1 dinar. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars.