AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday, endorsed a package of incentives and exemptions for the Jordanian Company for Developing Cities, Facilities and Priority Projects (JCDCF).

 

The measures target the first phase of the Amrah City project, which includes the Hussein Bin Abdullah II Stadium, the International Exhibition and Convention Centre, and King Abdullah II Sports City, to expedite implementation and improve investment conditions, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

In line with Royal directives and parliamentary recommendations, the Cabinet approved 2026 amendments to the Student Support Fund Bylaw.

 

The government has increased the fund’s allocation to JD40 million this year, expanding coverage to approximately 60,000 students.

 

Under the new framework, 550 scholarships and loans will be allocated per district, distributed between grants and loans for undergraduate and diploma students.

 

Half of the total support will be distributed on this basis, while the remaining 50 per cent will be directed to districts with unmet demand, according to application numbers and population density.

 

The Cabinet also approved the disbursement of around JD15 million to 72 industrial establishments, covering export subsidies accrued between 2019 and 2021.

 

Under the decision, eight companies with outstanding dues exceeding JD500,000 will receive government-guaranteed financing to be repaid in instalments, while the remaining beneficiaries will receive direct payments through the Ministry of Finance.

 

The Cabinet also endorsed amendments to the administrative bylaw of the Income and Sales Tax Department.

 

The amendments aim to modernise tax administration in line with international best practices, including the creation of specialised directorates for analysis, risk management, and electronic auditing, alongside a broader restructuring aligned with digital transformation efforts.

 

The Cabinet approved a major investment framework between the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) and the Oman Investment Authority.

 

The agreement will establish a private joint-stock company in Jordan with a capital of $100 million, targeting strategic sectors including information and communications technology, agriculture, medical supplies, energy, mining, and logistics.

 

The Cabinet also endorsed the final operating agreement for a school transport project in public schools, set to begin in the Southern Badia and Aqaba. The project will provide integrated, free-of-charge transportation services for students.

 

To enhance the attractiveness of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA), the Cabinet approved a set of real estate tax incentives, including a 50 per cent reduction on building and land taxes for obligations due before 2026, provided that payments are settled by July 31, as well as a full waiver of fines for taxpayers who settle their principal tax liabilities before the end of 2026.

 

The Cabinet endorsed draft amendments to the Wholesale Markets for Vegetables and Fruits Bylaw for 2026, aimed at improving market regulation and efficiency.

 

The amendments grant the ministries of Local Administration and Agriculture expanded oversight powers to regulate wholesale markets, ensure fair pricing mechanisms, and protect both farmers and consumers.

 

They also allow municipalities to establish joint markets to reduce operational costs and improve service delivery, the statement said.

 

The Cabinet extended the mandate of the Tax Settlement and Reconciliation Committee, allowing taxpayers to submit settlement requests for liabilities accumulated up to the end of 2024. The new deadline for applications has been set for June 30.

 

The Cabinet also approved the 2026 bylaw on preparation and after-care services for beneficiaries and graduates of care homes, the first of its kind, establishing an integrated support system for orphans and individuals without family care.

 

The bylaw introduces preparatory programmes starting at age 16 within care institutions, followed by structured after-care services extending up to age 26.

 

The initiative aims to facilitate smoother transitions into independent life while enhancing beneficiaries’ social and economic integration, the statement read.