Major economic transformations begin when nations redefine their position within the global economy and align their foreign relations with their capacity for production and innovation. From this perspective, the Jordan-Europe Investment Conference-scheduled for November 19, holds strategic importance that extends beyond merely attracting funding; it encompasses the localization of technology and the establishment of productive partnerships. This initiative builds upon the continuous efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah to elevate the Kingdom’s standing among European partners and to translate political trust into tangible economic and developmental opportunities.

 

In this context, the role of the European Union Ambassador and the EU Delegation in the Kingdom-working in collaboration with Jordanian institutions-is pivotal in bringing this initiative to fruition and fostering engagement with investors. The true challenge lies in transforming this shared will into national productive capacity-positioning Jordan as a partner in technology development, integrating its skilled workforce into European value chains, opening broader horizons for economic growth, employment, and innovation, and reinforcing the independence of its economic decision-making on a sustainable basis.

 

The significance of this approach stems from the need to transition gradually from the consumption of imported products and technologies to investing in their production and sharing in the value they generate. While importing equipment enhances operational capacity, possessing the skills required to design, maintain, and develop that technology drives a much deeper transformation. An economy that merely purchases solutions remains tethered to external sources, whereas an economy that builds knowledge around those solutions can expand exports, create more stable jobs, and retain a larger share of the returns from economic activity.

 

Jordan is also preparing to present a portfolio of opportunities valued at nearly $15 billion, spanning energy, mining, transport, logistics, water, industry, and clean technology. This diversity provides a broad foundation for building interconnected partnerships—provided the figure is viewed as the value of opportunities requiring investors, financing, and implementation. The national task lies in transforming this portfolio into viable projects with clearly defined economic feasibility, contractual obligations, developmental impact, and scope for active participation by Jordanian institutions.

 

The comprehensive strategic partnership launched in January 2025 provides an institutional framework for this transformation. A European financial and investment package worth €3 billion support it for the 2025–2027 period, comprising grants, concessional loans, and investments. This package is distinct from the portfolio of opportunities presented at the conference. Its impact can be maximized by directing its instruments toward project preparation, financing risk mitigation, and skills development; this helps attract productive capital and transforms European support into a foundation for sustainable, expandable economic activity.

 

In my view, technology localization should be central to investment negotiations. This requires clear agreements regarding engineering training, technical knowledge transfer, local supplier development, and the establishment of research and development units-all within a framework that respects intellectual property rights. Incentives can be linked to realistic milestones for increasing local content and enhancing workforce efficiency. The project’s strategic value is maximized when Jordanian engineers are able to operate and understand the technology, adapt it to national needs, and subsequently participate in developing future generations of it.

 

Energy and mining stand out as sectors well-suited to this approach. Renewable energy and storage projects can generate demand for engineering services, software, control systems, and supporting industries within the Kingdom. In the mining sector, partnerships can be directed toward advanced processing and manufacturing, subject to rigorous technical and environmental feasibility assessments. Meanwhile, the water sector offers opportunities to develop solutions for efficiency, treatment, and digital monitoring, thereby transforming the response to national challenges into expertise that can be marketed to countries facing similar conditions.

 

This path requires integrating universities and research centers into the partnership design process from the outset. Every major technical project can be linked to a specialised qualification program, an applied laboratory, student training, and research addressing actual production challenges. Jordanian universities-including those in the governorates-can play a direct role in building this ecosystem. Consequently, the relationship between education and investment becomes a vehicle for skills development and job creation, allowing the European partnership to gain a scientific and social dimension that extends well beyond the boundaries of the industrial facility.

 

Furthermore, the investment roadmap should reflect a balanced national perspective. Linking Aqaba, Ma’an, Mafraq, and production hubs via efficient transport and logistics networks can broaden the reach of development, reduce business costs, and bring opportunities closer to young people. The success of this distribution requires site preparation, the provision of services, and the identification of economic specializations suited to each region. Investors require an integrated ecosystem, workers need accessible jobs, and local communities need a tangible impact on their incomes and services.

 

This vision is further realized by facilitating the entry of Jordanian products into European markets-addressing requirements related to conformity, accreditation, and rules of origin, while building long-term relationships with buyers and manufacturers. Jordan can also leverage its strategic location and expertise to serve regional markets, depending on the feasibility of specific projects and market conditions. This creates a framework of mutual benefit: European companies expand their production networks, while Jordanian companies elevate their standards and capabilities, gaining access to new markets.

 

The true test will come in the aftermath of the conference: establishing a clear follow-up mechanism, defining responsibilities and implementation schedules, and setting indicators to measure realized funding, job creation, value addition, exports, and knowledge transfer. A strategic partnership only gains real meaning when it translates into enhanced productive capacity for both the state and society. Jordan has an opportunity to forge a deeper relationship with Europe—one that uses investment to develop human capital, institutions, and technology, effectively transforming political trust into sustainable economic interests. In doing so, the conference would mark the beginning of a deliberate transition toward an economy that generates and applies knowledge, participating confidently in shaping the future.

 

Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University. Hasanaldajah1@gmail.com