AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday said that Jordan holds promising opportunities that outweigh conventional challenges, stressing that the Kingdom will navigate and overcome all obstacles under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah.

 

During a visit to the Ministry of Investment, where he chaired an Investment Council meeting, the prime minister said that development, industrial, and free zones are not merely commercial areas, but integrated development tools that bolster the national economy, foster regional growth, and generate employment for local communities, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

Hassan pointed out that Jordan's economic indicators are positive and showing regional-level growth, adding that the Kingdom is on course to deliver major strategic projects, notably the Aqaba–Shidiya/Maan railway, the Maan–Aqaba land port, the National Water Carrier Project, and the Risha gas field.

 

These initiatives will serve as a catalyst for attracting further domestic and foreign investments across various sectors, Hassan noted, underscoring the importance of establishing local consortia for mega-projects.

 

"We have clear objectives to improve the business and investment environment through regulatory reforms, streamlining procedures, advancing digital services, enhancing public-private partnerships, and supporting investors," the prime minister said, adding that this requires a unified effort from all ministries and public institutions, not just the Ministry of Investment.

 

"I am proud of the efforts and performance of the government's economic team and the Central Bank of Jordan," he added.

 

Regarding Jordan's hosting of the Jordan-EU Investment Conference, scheduled to take place at the Dead Sea area in November, Hassan highlighted that under the leadership of King Abdullah, Jordan enjoys international confidence and respect, particularly from the European Union, stressing the necessity of delivering an event that reflects the Kingdom's global standing.

 

In this context, the prime minister noted the importance of building on existing momentum, including His Majesty’s recent visit to China, to enhance foreign investment and partnerships.

 

During the session, the Investment Council reviewed current investment opportunities and incentives, preparations for the upcoming Jordan-EU Investment Conference, and updates to legislation governing the investment environment.

 

Minister of Investment Tariq Abu Ghazaleh presented projects currently under implementation within the Economic Modernisation Vision, as well as measures to enhance investor services and advance business digitalisation.

 

Abu Ghazaleh highlighted recent legislative updates aimed at developing the investment climate, notably the recently issued amendments to the Investment Environment Regulation, which he said aim to enhance economic policy stability, build business confidence, boost efficiency in investment services, accelerate administrative processes, reduce licensing turnaround times, and support the digital economy and creative industries.

 

The minister said that the government has implemented a policy requiring a minimum 30 per cent local participation rate in all public investment tenders to support national economic growth through local alliances.

 

Abu Ghazaleh noted that the ministry is drafting the 2026 Investment Funds Law to establish a unified legislative framework regulating investment funds.

 

He said that the draft law aims to enhance the Kingdom's investment appeal, attract regional and international funds, strengthen the capital market and asset management sector, and introduce modern financing tools, adding that comprehensive legislative studies, comparative analyses, and policy options have already been completed.

 

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, the ministers of planning and international cooperation, finance, and digital economy and entrepreneurship, alongside the governor of the Central Bank of Jordan and private sector representatives on the Investment Council.