Selling to the Government
The two primary governmental entities implementing public sector procurement process in Jordan are the Government Tenders Directorate (GTD) and the General Supplies Department (GSD). The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) has separate procurement offices and has sole jurisdiction over defense sales to Jordan.
Jordan has not yet signed the WTO’s Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) with the United States, which has been an obstacle to increased bilateral business with the public sector.
Foreign companies can bid for government-commissioned programs slated for international or mixed bidders but working with a local partner is recommended. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) finances projects in Jordan in the water, economic development, health, education, and democracy and governance sectors. Other governmental projects funded by multi-lateral lending institutions, such as the World Bank or European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), are done according to those agencies’ procurement regulations.
U.S. companies bidding on Jordanian government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration’s Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on public sector contracts with international governments and government agencies. The Advocacy Center works closely with our network of the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide and inter-agency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agencies expressing support for the U.S. bidders directly to the foreign government. Consult Advocacy for Foreign Government Contracts for additional information.
Financing of Projects
Multilateral Development Banks and Financing Government Sales. Price, payment terms, and financing can be a significant factor in winning a government contract. Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). A helpful guide for working with the MDBs is the Guide to Doing Business with the Multilateral Development Banks (PDF). The U.S. Department of Commerce’s (USDOC) International Trade Administration (ITA) has a Foreign Commercial Service Officer stationed at each of the five different Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the World Bank.
Learn more by contacting the Commercial Liaison Officers for the active MDBs active in Jordan:
- Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank
- Commercial Liaison Office to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development