US embassy cable - 04AMMAN6410

UNCLAS AMMAN 006410 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC/CIMS NTDB WASHDC 
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA 
STATE PASS TO USTR AND TO OPIC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EINV, EFIN, ELAB, KTDB, PGOV, JO 
SUBJECT: INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT APPENDIX, 2004 - 
JORDAN 
 
REF: STATE 141379 
 
In response to reftel request, Post submits an appendix 
outlining substantive changes in Jordan's investment climate 
since submission of the 2003 Investment Climate Statement. 
 
BEGIN TEXT OF APPENDIX 
 
Jordan - July 2004 Appendix to 2003 Investment Climate 
Statement 
 
This appendix serves as an update to the 2003 Investment 
Climate Statement for Jordan.  It has been provided to assist 
investors in the interim period resulting from the U.S. 
Government's decision to begin publishing the Country 
Commercial Guide (of which the Investment Climate Statement 
is a chapter) on a calendar year basis, in January instead of 
August. 
 
The United States Government has reviewed the 2003 Investment 
Climate Statement for Jordan, and has noted the following 
changes that have occurred since its publication.  In most 
circumstances, if a portion of the 2003 Investment Climate 
Statement has not been modified in this appendix, it is 
because the U.S. Government is satisfied that it continues to 
accurately reflect the state of affairs in Jordan as of July 
2004. 
 
Openness to Foreign Investment:  No significant changes since 
2003. 
 
Conversion and Transfer Policies:  No significant changes 
since 2003. 
 
Expropriation and Compensation:  No significant changes since 
2003. 
 
Dispute Settlement:  While the Government of Jordan may 
recognize decisions of the International Center for the 
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), it has exercised 
its right to dispute the jurisdiction of ICSID in at least 
one case. 
 
Performance Requirements and Incentives:  No significant 
changes since 2003. 
 
Right to Private Ownership and Establishment:  No significant 
changes since 2003. 
 
Protection of Property Rights:  Jordan has acceded to the 
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties on 
copyright (WCT) and performances and phonographs (WPPT). 
Jordan's record on IPR enforcement has improved.  However, 
effective enforcement mechanisms and legal procedures are 
sill under review and are in need of further refinement. 
 
Transparency of the Regulatory System:  No significant 
changes since 2003. 
 
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment:  No 
significant changes since 2003. 
 
Political Violence:  No significant changes since 2003. 
 
Corruption:  No significant changes since 2003. 
 
Bilateral Investment Agreements:  No significant changes 
since 2003. 
 
OPIC And Other Investment Insurance Programs:  No significant 
changes since 2003. 
 
Labor:  No significant changes since 2003. 
 
Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports:  No significant changes since 
2003. 
 
Foreign Direct Investment Statistics: Statistics will be 
updated in the next full revision of the Investment Climate 
Statement, which will be published in January 2005. 
 
END TEXT OF APPENDIX 
HALE