10-Aug-2021

The Board of Directors of the Jordan Chamber of Industry and representatives of its industrial sectors presented their most prominent observations on the government's work priorities (2021 and 2023), which were presented to them by the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Economic Development Committee Nasser Al-Shraideh.

The meeting came as part of a series of dialogues that the government is conducting with the private sector on its work priorities for the next two years, the most important policies and reforms required for growth and job generation, and what priority economic sectors need support in the current stage.

His Majesty King Abdullah II directed the government to develop a clear-cut economic work program linked to specific time periods for its implementation, in partnership with the private sector, in order to achieve economic recovery as a result of the crisis experienced by the various sectors, and to achieve the levels of growth and employment necessary to move the wheel of the economy and improve services provided to the citizen in a way.tangible.

During the meeting, which was held at the Amman Chamber of Industry, they stressed the need to translate priorities on the ground, encourage local investors, benefit from free trade agreements signed with many countries and provide liquidity to the industrial sector.

They also pointed to the need to amend some economic laws, the importance of reducing procedures when completing transactions, and including the "Made in Jordan" campaign among the government's work priorities in the next phase.

In turn, the head of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, Eng. Fathi Al-Jaghbir, indicated that the industrial sector is the engine of employment and growth in the national economy, which requires the provision of capabilities to enhance its competitiveness and support its work so that it can contribute to solving the unemployment problem.

And he indicated that there is a participation in the priorities of the industrial sector and the government for the next stage to face the difficulties that are passing through the national economy as a result of the Corona virus pandemic, especially the issue of unemployment.

He stressed that the industrial sector is ready to cooperate and work with the government in all seriousness to employ Jordanian manpower and generate job opportunities, especially in making economic decisions.

Eng. Jaghbir stressed the need for there to be speedy implementation of the measures that will be taken, the application of the principle of reciprocity with some countries, the opening of school canteens, and the regulation of the relationship between industry and commercial centers, especially with regard to the payment of financial obligations, stressing that the Kingdom has great opportunity and capabilities to overcome the economic difficulties it faces.

During the meeting, a presentation was made on the priorities of the industrial sector in the next phase, based on its vision to confront the unemployment challenge, which focuses on attracting investment, expanding the production base, and enhancing production and manufacturing capabilities in the short term, while exporting and local sales will be enhanced in the immediate term.

For his part, Minister Al-Shraideh affirmed that there is a real orientation and great keenness from the government to deal with the difficulties facing the work of the economic sector, especially the industry, to enhance its competitiveness and exports and enable it to generate job opportunities and overcome the challenges it faces.

He pointed out that everyone believes that industry is one of the most important economic sectors in the Kingdom due to the added value that it poses to the national economy and its great potential for employment, export and access to global markets.

Al-Shraideh said that the government's meetings with private sector actors are a true translation of the royal directives on the importance of strengthening partnership and dialogue between the two sectors, in order to serve the national economy and improve the standard of living of citizens.

The Minister of Planning reviewed the most important challenges facing the national economy, led by unemployment, high production costs, slowing economic growth, declining foreign direct investment and tourism, the public budget deficit, changes in the local and global markets, and the epidemiological situation.

He added, that the government seeks, through consultation with the private sector, to present its work priorities during the remainder of this year and the next two years, to explain the most important reforms and policies required to stimulate growth and employment and support priority sectors to reach the stage of recovery and overcome the consequences of the Corona virus pandemic.

He pointed out that the objectives of the government's work priorities during 2021 and 2023 focus on three axes: improving the investment environment, doing business, enhancing competition and employment, and supporting priority sectors.

Al-Shuraida indicated that the government's proposed work priorities will be reviewed every six months to take into account developments that may arise locally or externally, explaining that there will be a special unit to follow up on what is being accomplished.

The industrial sector came among the priority sectors that identified the government’s work during the next two years, by providing a stimulating infrastructure for industrial investment, increasing the competitiveness of products in the local and export markets, strengthening the linkages between the industrial sector and other economic sectors, stimulating exports, developing the export promotion service, and establishing an industry support and development fund.

The meeting was attended by Ministers of Tourism and Antiquities Nayef Al-Fayez, Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali, Finance Muhammad Al-Assis, Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship Ahmed Al-Hanandeh and Labor Youssef Al-Shamali.