Investor Guide

From first enquiry to first day of operations, your complete guide.

Explore Opportunities

Your Investment Guide

Investing in a new market should be exciting, not confusing. This guide walks you through the entire journey in Aqaba, the steps, the laws, the requirements, the costs, and the contacts so you can build your preliminary business plan and financial model with clarity and confidence.

How to Invest in Aqaba

A Clear Path From Idea to Investment.
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Investing in Aqaba is a structured and straightforward process, supported by ADC and ASEZA's One-Stop Shop. Follow the steps below to move from exploring opportunities to launching and growing your business with confidence.

 

 

Explore

Identify your opportunity and cluster, and review incentives and requirements.

Engage

Contact ADC's investment team for a guided consultation and access to the data room. 

Plan

Build your preliminary business plan and financial model using the information in this guide. 

Register & License

Set up your entity through the one-stop shop (registration, licensing, permits).

Secure Land or Premises

Agree on terms for plots, premises, or partnership structures.

Build & Launch

Mobilise, with ADC support on infrastructure, utilities, and approvals.

Operate & Grow

Ongoing aftercare to help your investment thrive and expand. 

Laws & Regulations

A Transparent Legal Framework for Investment
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Aqaba operates within a transparent, investor-friendly legal framework administered through a single window by ASEZA. This page sets out the laws and regulations that govern investment in the Zone, company formation, licensing, ownership, tax and customs, labour and immigration, land, and sector-specific rules. 

Available Resources:

  • ASEZA Law & Regulations

  • Investment & Company Laws

  • Customs Framework (ASYCUDA)

  • Labour & Immigration Regulations

  • Land & Property Regulations

  • Sector-Specific Licensing Requirements

Investment Requirements

Everything You Need to Prepare Your Investment Application.

The exact requirements vary depending on your business activity and sector. However, most investment applications require a common set of legal, financial, and operational documents. Preparing these in advance will help ensure a faster and smoother approval process.

Corporate Documents

Submit the company's legal documents, such as the Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association. Documents issued outside Jordan should be legalized (or apostilled where applicable) and translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

Project Description

Matching a qualifying activity classification. 

Business Plan or Financial Information

Include a business plan and any supporting financial information required for the selected activity or applicable investment incentives.

Capital & Shareholding Details

Provide information about the company's capital structure, shareholders, and ownership distribution.

Licenses and Approvals

Certain industries require additional permits, approvals, or regulatory clearances before operations can begin.

Land or Premises Documentation

Where applicable, submit documentation confirming ownership, lease agreements, or the intended location of the investment.

Cost of Doing Business in Aqaba

Plan Your Numbers With Confidence

Aqaba's low-tax, duty-free environment is one of its biggest advantages, and transparency on costs helps you model with precision. This page brings together the cost inputs you need for a preliminary financial model. 

TAXES & INCENTIVES

  • 0% INCOME TAX ON STORED TRANSIT GOODS
  • 0% SALES TAX ON THE MAJORITY OF GOODS & SERVICES
  • 5% FLAT INCOME TAX
  • 0% CUSTOM DUTIES
  • 40% DISCOUNT ON HANDLING OF TRANSIT GOODS
  • 50% DISCOUNT ON HANDLING OF CONTAINERS
  • 70% FOREIGN WORKERS PERMITTED

FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

  • FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES
  • GREATER ARAB FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
  • FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH SINGAPORE
  • FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH EU
  • FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (EFTA) COUNTRIES
  • THE JORDAN-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
  • PAN-ARAB FREE TRADE AREA (PAFTA)
  • FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CANADA
  • FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON TRADE PREFERENTIAL SYSTEM AMONG THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

LAND & PREMISES

  • COMPETITIVE LAND LEASE AND PROPERTY RATES 
  • READY-TO-USE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES 
  • STRATEGICALLY LOCATED INVESTMENT SITES WITH ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

UTILITIES

  • COMPETITIVE ELECTRICITY AND WATER TARIFFS BASED ON CONSUMPTION
  • RELIABLE UTILITY CONNECTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
  • TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICES READILY AVAILABLE

LABOUR COSTS

  • COMPETITIVE LABOUR COSTS ACROSS KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS 
  • ACCESS TO SKILLED AND QUALIFIED JORDANIAN TALENT 
  • WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE

LOGISTICS

  • STRATEGIC ACCESS TO JORDAN’S ONLY SEAPORT
  • INTEGRATED ROAD, AIR, AND MARITIME TRANSPORT NETWORKS
  • MODERN LOGISTICS FACILITIES AND EFFICIENT CARGO-HANDLING SERVICES