The Minister of Labor, Dr. Khalid Al-Bakar, emphasized that the industrial sector is the largest generator of job opportunities in the Kingdom and one of the most vital drivers of economic growth. He stressed that the government views industrialists as true partners in implementing the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the East Amman Industrial Investors Association yesterday evening, Wednesday, focusing on human resource development in the packaging sector, Al-Bakar stated that since its formation, the government has been committed to empowering the private sector and providing an environment conducive to its expansion and growth. This is achieved by listening to its priorities and working to address its challenges, thereby contributing to increased investments, higher exports, and the creation of more jobs for Jordanians.
He added during the session—held on the sidelines of the 6th Jordanian Inter-connectivity Exhibition for Packaging (JOPEX), organized by the association—that the packaging sector represents a model for national industries capable of achieving excellence and expansion in regional and global markets. He asserted that developing human resources in this sector is a national priority to ensure its sustainable growth and boost its ability to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Al-Bakar noted that the Ministry of Labor continues to implement programs and initiatives aimed at regulating the labor market and meeting the production sectors' need for skilled labor, in tandem with promoting employment opportunities for Jordanians and raising their participation rate across various economic activities. He indicated that the government has enacted a package of decisions and measures designed to support investment and stimulate the expansion of industrial projects.
He underscored that vocational training has become a fundamental pillar today in building a competitive economy capable of meeting future demands, pointing out that possessing a skill has become more crucial than merely obtaining an academic degree, given the rapid transformations sweeping global labor markets due to technological advancement and Artificial Intelligence.
Al-Bakar called for strengthening the partnership between the industrial sector and vocational education and training institutions to develop training programs aligned with actual market needs, enabling young Jordanians to acquire the skills demanded by modern industries, including those related to packaging and advanced production techniques.
He highlighted the importance of investing in human capital as the true guarantee for sustaining economic growth and elevating the competitiveness of national industries, affirming that the government will continue to support the industrial sector and provide the necessary facilities to enable it to increase its exports, expand its operations, and enhance its contribution to economic and social development.
Al-Bakar indicated that Jordan possesses the competencies and human capabilities that qualify it to benefit from global shifts in the labor market. He stressed that qualifying youth and equipping them with modern technical and vocational skills will enable them to compete for job opportunities locally and abroad, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for advanced industries and services.
Furthermore, Al-Bakar emphasized that the Ministry of Labor will remain a supportive partner to the private sector and will continue to work with various stakeholders to find practical solutions to labor market challenges, achieving the national interest and supporting the comprehensive economic development process.
He announced the ministry’s readiness to open recruitment for foreign labor for facilities operating in the packaging sector that employ no less than 90% Jordanian labor, in appreciation of their commitment to hiring national talents and to support their operational continuity and expansion.
For her part, the Director General of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Dr. Rana Obeidat, affirmed that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, is moving with steady strides toward achieving the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision. This vision focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of productive sectors, stimulating investment, and developing national industries, which contributes to consolidating economic growth and raising the Kingdom's competitive capacity at both regional and international levels.
She said that the administration adopts an advanced approach based on balancing its regulatory role with supporting the investment environment through the development of legislations and procedures governing food and drug-related sectors, thereby strengthening partnership with the private sector and supporting the growth of national industries.
She added that the packaging sector is an essential part of the food security and product safety system, given its direct link to food and drug quality, as well as the efficiency of supply and distribution chains.
She explained that during the past period, the JFDA has worked on reviewing and developing relevant legislations, ensuring that representatives of the industrial sector and investors were engaged in discussing them and offering feedback to guarantee the attainment of best regulatory practices.
Obeidat clarified that the administration places special emphasis on transitioning toward using more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials to mitigate negative environmental impacts and safeguard human health, stressing that rapid developments in this sector require continuous updates to legislation and the adoption of innovative solutions that keep pace with global changes.
She emphasized that raising the quality of national products is a priority for the administration, as it is the main gateway to enhancing the competitiveness of Jordanian industries in global markets, confirming the administration’s support for all research and innovative initiatives and projects related to packaging materials.
From his side, the Chairman of the East Amman Industrial Investors Association, Dr. Iyad Abu Haltam, affirmed that the sector has become a fundamental partner in marketing and export operations through the advanced solutions it provides, which raise the value-added of Jordanian products and support their presence in external markets.
He pointed out that discussions on packaging are no longer limited to producing containers, but rather include providing integrated engineering solutions that account for operational efficiency, environmental requirements, and international specifications—particularly European standards, which have become a prerequisite for entering many international markets.
He explained that the packaging, printing, paper, and cardboard sector provides approximately 13,000 job opportunities—with Jordanian labor making up about 94% of them—and comprises more than 900 industrial companies, reflecting its economic significance and vital role in supporting national industry and driving growth and employment.
Abu Haltam noted that the packaging sector serves as a successful model of integration between the public and private sectors, as continuous cooperation between government entities and industrial institutions has contributed to developing the business environment, boosting the sector's competitiveness, and opening new horizons for investment and export.
In turn, the Director General of Al-Nahda Printing Press, Hakim Zaza, stressed the importance of the global shift toward sustainable packaging, which has become a reality imposed by new legislation and requirements in various markets, especially in Europe and advanced economies. He noted that the new standards focus on recyclability, reducing waste, increasing recycled content, and improving resource efficiency.
In this context, he said, the importance of the Eco-Label is increasing as a tool for transparency and trust between the producer and the consumer. Global markets no longer accept undocumented environmental claims; instead, they require clear and verifiable information about the materials used, recyclability, and the environmental impact of the product.
He added that the current industrial revolution is driving the world toward new solutions in packaging that include advanced materials, digital printing, smart packaging, and technologies that help track products, reduce waste, and improve supply chain efficiency.
He stressed the importance of building effective partnerships between the industrial sector, government bodies, academic institutions, and training centers to develop national competencies and qualify a new generation of specialists capable of leading the future of this vital sector.
He affirmed that the packaging sector also contributes to providing qualitative job opportunities in the fields of design, engineering, production, printing, quality, sustainability, and technology, emphasizing that investing in the development of vocational and technical skills is a direct investment in the future of the Jordanian industry and its capacity to grow and compete.
Zaza concluded that the "JOPEX" exhibition was not just a display of products and services, but rather a space for dialogue, exchange of expertise, and envisioning the future, noting that the participating Jordanian companies proved that Jordan possesses expertise, capabilities, and potential that deserve to be a source of pride and a foundation to build upon.
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