AMMAN —
The
Economic and Social Council of Jordan (ESC) 2021 state of the country
report, released on Sunday, has tackled challenges facing a number of vital
governmental sectors. Here is a review of some of the most important remarks
and observations made in the report.
اضافة اعلان
Education
The report stated that loss of education time/resources in public schools
has reached 30 percent due to the
coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the report
cited the fact that in 2021 Jordan saw 70,000 university students graduating in
different majors. Meanwhile the national economy’s competitiveness in global
indicators continue to decline.
Budget and debt
According to the report, Jordan continues to face endemic budget deficits
which stands as an impediment for growth as well as increased indebtedness,
which constitute the greatest challenge to fiscal policy while limiting the
government’s ability to cope with the issues of poverty and
unemployment. These
challenges stand in the way of achieving significant economic growth.
Water
Regarding water scarcity, the report indicated that the development of
Jordan’s surface and underground water sources is no longer a solution, as
these have been developed to a maximum extent. It added that the traditional
policy of developing renewable water sources has been exhausted.
The report
explained that Jordan’s surface water annual capacity is estimated at 400
million cubic meters, while renewable underground water is estimated at 275
million cubic meters annually. Therefore, available water resources are
insufficient, particularly with Jordan hosting millions of refugees.
The report
suggested that the final solution for water scarcity in Jordan would be to
desalinate the
Red Sea water in Aqaba.
Health
The report said that the
health sector in Jordan has been successful in
combating infectious and chronic diseases resulting in declining mortality rates.
But it added that sector still suffers from many issues and challenges prior to
and during the coronavirus pandemic.
The report
highlighted the most prominent issues of the sector such as weak governance and
management, multiple government agencies’ that manage and provide health
services, lack of coordination or weakness between them.
The report
recommended the reorganization of the sector to enhance its readiness to
proactively deal with national health crisis through following the proactive
model (planning and preparedness) rather than the reflexive model (real-time
reaction).
Culture
The report said that the
Ministry of Culture’s role is almost absent from
the national agenda and does not represent an asset that enhances the moral
capital of the individual and society. The report pointed to the need to
support and develop productive cultural projects, establish a Supreme Council
for Culture, expand and develop available cultural databases, activate the
cultural support fund and come up with solutions to maximize and sustain its
resources.
It also called for
providing the infrastructure for small theaters, national publishing houses,
cultural centers, supporting cultural products such as books, magazines, and
cinematography, and facilitating public access to cultural products in
marginalized and remote areas.
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