Standing alongside my fellow travelers on a terrace overlooking the twinkling city lights, a soft breeze brushing my skin and a full moon shining down from above, I take a moment to pinch myself: I am in Amman, Jordan, a part of the world I had never expected to visit, and one I will never forget.

PHOTO: © CATARII | DREAMSTIME.COM

Our group was taking a cooking class with Beit Sitti, run by Jordanian sisters who teach their grandmother’s traditional recipes that reach back generations. We all took part in making our dinner as the women shared their stories about growing up in Amman, their families and their lives. At the end of the class, we all sat down to enjoy a delicious meal together, digging into curried lentil soup, mutabbal beitinjan (an eggplant dip), fattoush (salad) and much more.

The cooking class provided a glimpse into everyday life in Amman, Jordan’s capital city and its largest with a population of more than 3.8 million. Not only that, but Amman’s history dates back more than 6,000 years. Throughout that time, the city — and indeed all of Jordan — existed under Egyptian, Roman, Arabian, Ottoman, British and French rule before gaining its independence in 1946. King Abdullah II has been Jordan’s head of state since 1999; in his role he appoints governments, approves legislation and can dissolve parliament.

Today Amman serves as the country’s center of commerce, finance and international trade. According to F6S, an organization that helps founders and startups grow to solve the world’s pressing social, economic, environmental, sustainability and innovation problems, Amman also proves a terrific place to start a company or a startup. In fact, the city is ranked the 76th most popular location in the world to do just that. F6S cites the top companies and startups in Amman include Abwaab, an online learning platform that allows students to learn at their own pace; Altibbi, the largest Arabic Digital Health platform, started as “the WebMD of the Arab world”; and liwwa, an alternative lending platform for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

As far as established companies with U.S. ties, the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan) was established in 1999 in an effort to “contribute to Jordan’s sustainable economic development through the promotion of Jordan-U.S. trade & investment relations, policy & advocacy, human resources development and business community outreach.” AmCham-Jordan, affiliated with the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., boasts more than 250 members, many with offices in Amman, including American Express, Bank of Jordan, Ernst & Young, FedEx Jordan, Marriott Group, Pfizer Inc., PriceWaterhouseCoopers, United Airlines and plenty more.

Launched in 2003, Business and Professional Women – Amman believes increasing women’s participation is key to a stronger national economy. To that end, BPW-A, affiliated with the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, offers a range of comprehensive services that empower women to improve their skills, connect with successful peers, access coaching and training, and implement strategies for a balanced integration of their professional and personal lives. These services hold true to BPW-A’s core pillars: Business Growth, to help women entrepreneurs and business owners accelerate their growth by providing access to knowledge, financing and networking opportunities; Career Development to empower early-career women to discover and fulfill their potential; and Transformation through advocating women’s inclusion and eliminating workplace bias to drive a cultural shift. To date, BPW-A has supported more than 270,000 female businesses and boasts more than 280,000 active members.

In an effort to attract more businesses to Amman, King Hussein Business Park within the city made its debut in 2010 with a goal to create mixed-use, class-A offices integrated with commercial, retail and hotels, amenities, and green and public spaces. Today the business park houses more than 70 businesses, including global names like Cisco, Microsoft, Samsung and Deloitte & Touche. The business park is such a success it is undergoing a massive expansion that will increase its size exponentially.

CHECKING IN WITH RAGHAD AL KHOJAH
CEO, The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan)

How has Amman made the city conducive to startups and attractive to entrepreneurs?
Amman has this unique energy that really draws people in, especially entrepreneurs. There’s a young, tech-savvy population here that’s always buzzing with ideas and innovation. You can feel their passion, and it’s inspiring. The city has also built up a strong support network with incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces that make it easier for people to connect, collaborate and grow their ideas. On top of that, Amman’s location is a big advantage — it’s like a gateway to the region, making it easier for startups to expand into neighboring markets. Moreover, government initiatives and policies aimed at fostering a business-friendly environment contribute to Amman’s appeal as a startup hub.

Which industries are attracted to doing business in Amman?
We’ve seen a great variety of industries choosing Amman, but tech definitely leads the way. Startups in software development, fintech and e-commerce pop up all the time. The healthcare sector is also growing, especially with the increasing demand for high-quality medical services and pharmaceuticals. And we can’t ignore the renewable energy sector, gaining a lot of momentum thanks to Jordan’s focus on sustainability. It’s really exciting to see how diverse the business landscape here is becoming.

What do you see on the horizon for new industries coming onto the scene?
I think we’ll continue seeing a lot of growth in the tech and digital sectors, especially with AI, cybersecurity and blockchain making waves globally. Amman is in a great position to be at the forefront of that innovation. I also believe we’ll see more investment in green energy — there’s a lot of potential for renewable energy projects, and the country’s commitment to sustainability is clear. Another area I believe will flourish is the creative industries — there’s increasing demand for local content, design and media; and I believe that’s only going to grow in the coming years.

The entrepreneurial spirit in Amman is something special. You can see the determination and resilience in the people here, and that’s what drives innovation. But, of course, there are challenges — especially when it comes to access to funding and navigating some of the regulatory hurdles. There’s a real need for more diverse funding options, like venture capital and angel investors, to help startups take off. Networking events and mentorship programs also play a huge role in connecting entrepreneurs with the right people and resources. If we can continue building a supportive ecosystem, I’m confident Amman’s startups will thrive long-term.

DIVERSIONS

PHOTO: © DMITRY CHULOV | DREAMSTIME.

In a city as rich in history as Amman, it is easy to lose yourself. Within the city limits, take time to visit Jabal al-Qal’a, or Amman Citadel, sitting high above the city. On these grounds the Temple of Hercules once stood, with remnants still standing. On top of the citadel, Jordan Archaeological Museum houses some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, artifacts from the Bronze Age and the Stone Age, and the Ain Ghazal Statues dating back 9,000 years. Also visit the massive Roman Theatre, dating to the second century and seating about 6,000 people; performances still take place at the restored theater.

© VLADIMIR ZHURAVLEV | DREAMSTIME.

Immerse yourself in the region’s culture at The Jordan Museum, National Gallery of Fine Arts, Dar Al-Anda Art Gallery and Nabad Art Gallery. Also shop local at the souks; Rainbow Street; Turquoise Mountain; Jordanian Craft Center; and the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative, established by Noor Al- Hussein Foundation in 1993.

Amman also serves as a launching point to some of Jordan’s most iconic sites, like Petra with its breathtaking buildings carved and built in 400 B.C., Wadi Rum and its arid landscapes that set the scene in Star Wars, and wellness and relaxation at the Dead Sea.

LODGING
Four Seasons Hotel Amman
Perched atop the tallest of Amman’s seven hills, find this recently renovated 5-star hotel in the city’s exclusive Abdoun neighborhood, known for its upscale nightlife.
5th Circle, Al-Kindi Street, Jabal Amman
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The Ritz-Carlton, Amman
Located near Jabal al-Qal’a, or Amman Citadel, this new 5-star hotel made a splash when it opened two years ago, bringing with it the exquisite service and elegant accommodations guests have come to expect.
5th Circle, Zahran Street, Amman
$$$

The St. Regis Amman
Find refined décor and high- end amenities in each of the 5-star hotel’s 258 rooms, suites and serviced apartments, some of which enjoy attentive butler service to make even more of your stay.
5th Circle, Shafiq Al-Hayek Street, Amman
$$$

DINING
Beit Sitti
Learn to make traditional Jordanian dishes — some vegetarian — and enjoy the feast afterward. Then take recipes home to recreate with your family and friends.
16 Mohammad Ali Al-Saadi St., Amman
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Hashem Restaurant
Known for its hummus, falafel and other Jordanian street food favorites, one of the oldest restaurants in Jordan is popular with locals and visitors alike.
King Faisal Street, Amman
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Shams El Balad
Part restaurant, part cultural space and part concept store, take time to enjoy traditional dishes like sfeiha: minced lamb seasoned with pomegranate molasses, onion and chili, served with lemon, yogurt and pickles.
Mu’Ath Bin Jabal St. 69, Amman
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JUST THE FACTS
Time zone: GMT +3 Phone code: Country code: 962 City code: 6
Currency: Jordanian dinar
Key industries: Trade and finance account for one-third of the country’s gross domestic product. Market opportunities in Jordan include safety and security, information communications and technology, medical and water technologies, renewable energy, and agriculture.

COMING AND GOING
U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months after arrival date, with at least one blank passport page, as well as a visa issued upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most international land border crossings.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Arabic, though English is widely spoken

INFO TO GO
Visitors find it easy to travel to Amman, with more than 20 international airlines arriving into Queen Alia International Airport, about 22 miles south of Amman. From the United States, direct flights depart daily from Chicago (ORD); Detroit (DTW); Los Angeles (LAX); New York (JFK); and Washington, D.C. (IAD). Travelers can reach Amman from the airport via the convenient Sariyah Airport Express Bus, fixed-rate taxis or rental car. Once in the city, visitors can get around by taxi (ask the driver to use the meter) or ride- hailing services Uber and Careem.