Lebanese companies are taking Jordan by storm, hoping to reap some of the fruits of the country’s recent economic growth. Lebanese fashion outlets — Aishti, ABC, GS, K-Lynn, Mario Bruni —, restaurants — Diwan Al Sultan, Casper and Gambini’s, Zaatar w Zeit, Eight, Abdel Wahab and Kabab-ji — and banks — Audi Saradar, BLOM Bank — are setting up shop in the capital Amman. “Jordan has positioned itself as the new regional business center and a main gateway to Iraq,” says Nassib Ghobril, head economist at Byblos Bank, which itself is rumored to have increased its stake in the Jordanian Al-Ahli United Bank. In spite of the highly-charged regional political environment and the country’s lack of resources, Jordanians enjoy a high per capita disposable income. According to the IMF, Jordan’s GNI per capita was $2,660 in 2006, up from $1,790 in 2000. “The comfortable economic situation can be credited to
