AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday, endorsed the draft amendment to the Notary Public Law for 2025, enabling notary services to be carried out electronically, including transactions submitted from abroad, and expanding notaries’ jurisdiction across all governorates to reduce time, costs, and effort for citizens.

 

The Cabinet also approved a draft amendment to the Electronic Transactions Law for 2025 to align with the notary amendments. The amendment ensures faster case processing, grants legal validity to data extracted from electronic records, allows courts and notaries to provide online services, and recognises foreign-issued digital certificates certified by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.

 

As part of administrative reforms, the Cabinet endorsed the 2025 bylaw regulating the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority, designed to streamline its structure, enhance governance, and improve performance in line with the government’s public sector development roadmap, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

In the transport sector, the Cabinet approved reasons validating a draft amendment to the Road Use Fees Bylaw for 2025, providing a legislative framework for the operation of the Kingdom’s first alternative road under the Public Works and Housing Ministry’s plan to modernise road infrastructure. The amendment allows the ministry to collect fees to finance maintenance and future projects.

 

The Cabinet also approved additional measures to advance the National Water Carrier Project, a strategic initiative to desalinate and convey water from Aqaba to Amman. Current works include soil testing, surveys, and financial closure procedures, according to the statement.

 

To support industry, amendments were also approved to the criteria for providing electricity through Fils Al Reef, a fee added to each kilowatt a household uses, extending the benefit to factories inside and outside industrial estates to reduce production costs.

 

The Cabinet also approved a legal opinion confirming that income from mutual investment funds is subject to income tax, while clarifying that dividends and shares remain exempt, as these funds are not classified as financial companies. The decision aims to encourage the creation of investment funds and strengthen the capital market, the statement read.

 

In the tourism sector, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Jordan Tour Guides Association Bylaw for 2025, in line with the amended Tourism Law of 2024. The update redefines membership, removes licensing requirements, and sets regulations for opening branches across the Kingdom.

 

Additionally, the Cabinet approved recommendations from the Settlement and Conciliation Committee, addressing the tax status of 239 taxpayers under existing income and sales tax laws.

 

The Cabinet also endorsed the Pandemic Preparedness Project in Jordan, funded by the Pandemic Fund and implemented in cooperation with WHO, UNICEF, and FAO. The project aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s readiness and response to public health emergencies through a comprehensive, multi-sector approach.