Private sector plays 'key' role to lead Jordan's desired economic reform-Business leaders

AMMAN—Jordan's private sector's has a "clear" vision to lead the Kingdom's desired national economic reform, which reflects its primary role to achieve economic growth, attract investments, generate job opportunities, develop pioneering projects, expand exports and integrate modern technologies, business leaders said in interviews with "Petra."اضافة اعلان

In this regard, the top executives referred to the economic workshop, which His Majesty King Abdullah II directed to hold, and is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, at the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC), under the title: "Moving to the future: Unlocking the possibilities to modernize the economy," with the participation of 300 economists and experts, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The workshop, which will feature representatives from the private sector, industry and commerce chambers, government, Parliament, academia, public institutions, civil society and media, aims to develop an economic vision and a roadmap to stimulate growth, create economic opportunities and improve quality of life and basic services for Jordanians, according to a media statement released by the organizers.

The workshop will go over various vital sectors, primarily agriculture, food security, energy, water, mining, telecom, information technology, financial services, health care, trade, industry, tourism, education, labor market, transport, logistics, urban development, climate change, creative industries, employment, investment and the business environment, the statement said.

Member of the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) Board of Directors, Dr. Iyad Abu Haltam, said Jordan's private sector has many visions and initiatives that can be submitted to the government to develop an intergovernmental policy-based plan, with specific timetables.

His Majesty King Abdullah II called for holding a national economic workshop to bring together the private and public sectors' activities to develop this blanket plan, he noted.

In addition, Abu Haltam said the private sector's role primarily focuses on investment, employment, job creation, stimulus policies, development of pioneering projects, innovation and expansion in exports and technology integration.

Meanwhile, member of the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA), Michael Nazzal, said investment is the private sector's responsibility in all world countries, adding that Jordan's business institutions have the necessary vision to achieve the desired goals, "if given enough freedom."

The main goal now in Jordan is to generate investment-based job opportunities, he said, noting that the private sector will present the necessary ideas to develop and attract local and foreign investments after highlighting obstacles that deter investors and detailing possible projects in the short and medium terms.

To help achieve the workshop's goals, Nazzal stressed the need to discuss possibility of the private sector's contribution to major projects, such as Jordan's National Water Carrier, the proposed administrative capital and the railway.

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