The government on Sunday unveiled the economic priorities programme for 2021-2023, aimed to support economic growth and help the country recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Sakher Dudin, during a joint press briefing with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, said that Jordan’s epidemiological situation is "reassuring”.

He noted that the COVID infection rate is stable, which currently stands at less than 5 per cent. 

Dudin, who is also the government spokesperson, said that to facilitate the flow of information, the documents related to the economic priorities programme for 2021-2023 will be available on the Prime Ministry’s website, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Shraideh informed the public on the economic programme’s priorities for 2021-2023, which was referred to His Majesty King Abdullah. 

The total value of the programme stands at JD480 million, out of which JD280 million is from the budget and JD200 is foreign assistance. He noted that the total value of the public-private sector partnership projects, under the new programme, is JD3.8 billion. 

A portal  will be launched at the Prime Ministry to deal with new investments, he added.

The minister noted that the priorities of the government’s economic programme for 2021-2023 include three pillars and 53 priorities. They focus on enhancing the investment and doing business climate, stepping up competitiveness, stimulating the private sector and supporting priority economic sectors.

The government’s priorities programme will undergo an assessment every six to nine months to address the main challenges that face the national economy. Notably, the assessment will measure unemployment and the slowdown in economic growth in addition to maintaining cash and financial stability, he said. 

On operationalising mega-projects and activities with the private sector, Shraideh  said that five infrastructure projects at a cost of JD260 million will be launched before the end of this year.

He also announced a new fund to be launched to help national industries access global markets. He stressed that the priorities include support for priority economic sectors: ICT, agriculture, industry, tourism, and energy.

The planning minister noted that allocations for the tourism sector will be increased by JD50 million.  

There will also be an expansion of agriculture lending to encourage farmers to use modern technology, which will have a positive impact on production, he said.

Highlighting the importance of the Estidama (sustainability) programme to maintain the private sector’s jobs, the minister said that the programme will be extended for an additional six months in 2022.   

He added that the government is considering an amendment to the Social Security Law  to reduce the subscription period for new market entrants to 10 years, in addition to amendments to the Labour Law. 

He also highlighted that major procedures in the field of digital transformation are under way to stimulate the investment and business environment