The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) was established in 2001 by the government of Jordan to ensure that Aqaba’s commercial and cultural prominence continues into the 21st Century.
The ASEZ is a low tax, multi-sector development zone that also enjoys duty free status. It offers global investment opportunities in a world class business environment ranging from tourism to recreational services, from professional services to multi-modal logistics, value-added industries, and light manufacturing.
In terms of location, Aqaba covers the total Jordanian coastline (27 km), and hosts the 12 seaports of Jordan, an international airport and the historical city of Aqaba. The city is known for its beauty and rich culture and heritage.
The ASEZ is regulated by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), which is mandated with all the authorities to manage, regulate and operate as a municipality for the ASEZ. It also aims to develop the ASEZ as the epicenter of best practices in Jordan.
ASEZA is deeply committed to the objective of turning Aqaba into a competitive international investment location by creating a streamlined investment environment, encouraging private sector participation in all aspects of the Zone's development and operations, and ensuring the provision of world-class infrastructure and services to the Aqaba community. Consequently, it adopted a comprehensive Master Plan that encompasses development activities in the Economic Zone for the promotion of portal, urban, tourist, commercial, academic and other investment sectors. Additionally, ASEZA is a service–oriented organization offering one–stop assistance to address all investor needs.
Other incentives include:
- Only 5% income tax on net profit
- No customs duties
- No sales tax on final consumption of vast majority of goods and services
- No restrictions on foreign equity or foreign currency exchange
- No income tax for registered enterprises operating in logistics centers (transit, export, re-export).
- 40% Discount on Handling of Transit Shipments.
- 50% Discount on Containers Exported from ASEZ.
- 50% Discount on Suez Canal Fees for Goods Shipped to ASEZ.
- Automated Customs Procedures (ASYCUDA).
- Access to 1.5 billion customers in 161 countries through trade agreements.
The Investor Affairs Department (IAD) works uninterruptedly on creating and improving the investment environment of the area on the basis of economic openness, keeping abreast of the developments and surrounding changes. It also operates on removing all obstacles facing investments by simplifying procedures and consolidating the principle of transparency and direct communication with investors.
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) seeks diligently to ensure the continuity and sustainability of existing investments in the region to build on and maximize achievements. Thus, ASEZA has developed a unified special investment window for investors, based on best practices and global experiences, which provides all types of services that meet all business needs thanks to simplified procedures for registering and licensing various economic activities.
The unified special investment window services can be best observed in the case of current registration of companies at the Ministry of Industry and Trade through an authorized representative from the Ministry who is permanently located at the Authority, in addition to representatives of Amman Chamber of Industry and Aqaba Chamber of Commerce who have full authority; registering establishments is conducted at the Authority in order to take advantage of all exemptions and advantages provided by law for the registered institution and apply for the purchase and lease of land, building permits and residence permits in addition to work permits, visas and necessary permits for practicing an activity and all are done through one unified window.
ASEZA Stream Lined Investment Procedures.
Aqaba Zone
ASEZ LAW
Lively Aqaba