The Jordanian Government’s Vision in the Policy Statement: New Horizons for National Economic Development

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The Jordanian Government’s Vision in the Policy Statement: New Horizons for National Economic Development
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Dr. Mohamed Abdul-Sattar Jaradat

Dr. Mohamed Abdul-Sattar Jaradat

Dr. Mohamed Abdul Sattar Jaradat

اضافة اعلان

 

In his address to the House of Representatives, the Jordanian Prime Minister outlined a comprehensive vision aimed at achieving holistic modernization across vital sectors to ensure sustainable development for the Kingdom. The speech served as a roadmap for the upcoming phase, focusing on key pillars such as economic growth, financial stability, improved public services, and creating an enabling environment for social and economic advancement. Through this vision, the government seeks to restore citizen trust and strengthen Jordan’s standing both regionally and internationally.

 

The emphasis on holistic modernization represents one of the fundamental cornerstones upon which the government will base its future initiatives. This approach aims to enhance political and administrative systems through legislative and legal reforms centered on transparency and accountability, thereby fostering a more stable political environment. Additionally, the government is committed to enhancing public institutions’ performance through full digital transformation of government services. The plan to automate 80% of services by next year, with full automation by 2026, marks a significant shift in the nature of public administration, reflecting the government’s intent to align with global advancements in digital transformation.

A key highlight of the confidence speech was the pivotal role of youth in the government’s future plans. Special focus was placed on training and development programs to prepare young Jordanians to be future leaders of change. The strategy is clear: empower youth by providing training opportunities in technical and vocational fields, ensuring alignment between education and labor market demands. These policies not only aim to increase employment rates but also to improve the quality and diversity of job opportunities in line with modern requirements.

 

In the health and education sectors, the government outlined ambitious plans to enhance service quality. Universal health coverage remains a priority, ensuring healthcare services are accessible to all citizens—an important step toward achieving social justice. In education, the government is focused on curriculum modernization and the development of vocational and technical training programs tailored to the demands of the job market and emerging economic opportunities driven by technological innovation. These reforms aim to equip future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a knowledge-based economy.

 

In tourism, the government underscored its significance as a cornerstone of the national economy and a vital source of foreign currency. Efforts to diversify and innovate within the tourism sector, including medical tourism, religious tourism, and archaeological tourism, were emphasized. Enhancing the global promotion of Jordan as a unique destination, supported by its geographic diversity and rich cultural heritage, was identified as a top priority. Improving the infrastructure of tourist sites and facilitating investment in this sector will play a crucial role in elevating the visitor experience and strengthening the country’s competitive edge.

 

The government also highlighted its commitment to improving governance in the public sector by revisiting human resources legislation and refining the employment system to ensure fairness and efficiency in recruitment and promotion. Advanced training programs for public sector employees are planned to elevate their performance, aligning with the government’s goal of delivering exceptional services.

Another critical focus was the National Water Carrier Project, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing water scarcity as part of national security. This strategic initiative aims to secure sustainable water resources to meet the needs of the growing population and economic sectors. Furthermore, the project offers opportunities for regional and international collaboration in water resource management while fostering economic growth through associated developments.

 

The proposed “New City” project near Amman and Zarqa represents a strategic vision addressing challenges posed by population growth. Beyond providing suitable housing, the project seeks to enhance quality of life through the creation of a smart urban environment underpinned by advanced technologies and sustainable practices.

 

On public finance, the government emphasized the 2025 budget as a critical tool to stimulate economic growth and increase domestic revenues. Reducing the fiscal deficit remains a top priority, achievable through enhanced spending efficiency, expanding anti-tax evasion efforts, and decreasing public debt. With a target to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio from 90% to 80% by 2028, the government will require precise strategies that balance growth ambitions with fiscal stability.

 

To ensure transparency and accountability, the government highlighted the importance of developing performance indicators for the budget. These indicators could include:

• Progress in executing major projects within planned timelines and costs.

• Reduction in fiscal deficit and public debt compared to targets.

• Improvement in socio-economic indicators such as job creation rates and purchasing power.

• GDP growth and the impact of economic policies on achieving this growth.

Including such indicators would enhance transparency, ensuring that policy outcomes align with the objectives outlined in the Royal Speech from the Throne, which stressed the importance of advancing economic development and improving citizens’ livelihoods.

 

Overall, the 2025 budget represents a bold step toward translating the Throne Speech and the vision of economic modernization into actionable measures and decisive policies. Through infrastructure investment, fiscal sustainability, and inclusive growth promotion, this budget charts a new path for Jordan’s economy, balancing current challenges with future aspirations.

 

With this comprehensive vision, the Jordanian government is laying the foundation for strategies that address the Kingdom’s economic, fiscal, and social challenges. While implementation will undoubtedly be challenging, the government’s approach reflects a readiness to adapt to global economic shifts and circumstances. Successfully realizing these reforms requires a combination of wise decision-making, efficient execution, and flexibility to adapt to changing conditions, ensuring the government’s objectives of building a modern and prosperous state are achieved.

 

May God Protect Jordan, the King and the Crown Prince.