Arab Potash Company discussed expanding investment cooperation with China’s SDIC to boost production, global market access and economic growth.
The Arab Potash Company (APC) recently held discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to Jordan, Guo Wei, to explore avenues for enhancing joint investment cooperation with China's strategic partner, State Development and Investment Group Co. (SDIC). The meeting, attended by APC Board of Directors Chairman Shehadah Abu Hdaib and CEO Maen Nsour, aimed to strengthen APC's presence in global markets, with a particular focus on China, a key strategic market for the company's products.
The existing partnership between APC, the eighth largest potash producer globally and the sole producer in the Arab World, and SDIC was lauded as a highly successful model of long-term strategic collaboration built on mutual trust and shared interests within the Jordanian mining sector. SDIC became the largest shareholder in APC in 2017 after acquiring a 28 percent stake for approximately $500 million.
This strategic alliance has yielded significant economic and industry-specific impacts. It has been instrumental in supporting APC's strategic objectives, bolstering its capacity for growth, and contributing substantial value to the national economy. The partnership has also played a crucial role in developing APC's fertilizer manufacturing capabilities and creating employment opportunities for Jordanians. Notably, this collaboration has led to record levels of potash production, sales, and profits for APC. The company has also achieved significant progress in reducing production costs per tonne, attributed to savings in water and energy use, coinciding with record production volumes.
From a broader economic and geopolitical perspective, the discussions underscore the steadily growing Jordanian-Chinese economic and investment relations. China is not only a top consumer of potash-based fertilizers but also a leading trade partner for APC. China has consistently been Jordan's second-largest trading partner and its principal source of imports, with bilateral trade reaching an impressive $5.8 billion in 2023. The partnership is viewed as an integral part of a wider economic cooperation framework between the two nations, with future projects expected to further boost the national economy and state revenues.
Furthermore, this cooperation serves as a model for South-South collaboration. Both countries have signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, providing significant political impetus for their bilateral cooperation. China's deep engagement with Jordan extends to vital sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. The upcoming Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in June 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal platform for strengthening strategic partnerships and fostering regional stability through enhanced economic cooperation.
