Environment Minister Dr. Ayman Suleiman affirmed that facilitating and safeguarding investments and enhancing the business environment in Jordan are core priorities for the ministry, stressing that the environmental system should serve as an enabler of economic development, not an obstacle to it.
اضافة اعلان
During his meeting on Monday evening with the President and members of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Suleiman stated that the ministry is working to establish a partnership-based approach with the private sector and to develop environmental policies that strike a balance between environmental protection and ensuring the continuity of investment projects.
Speaking at the meeting held at the Chamber’s headquarters, the minister noted that the ministry is adopting a new approach based on faster procedures, transparency, and simplifying legal and administrative processes for investors, with the aim of reinforcing trust and achieving sustainable development across the Kingdom. He emphasized that environmental approvals are not an end in themselves but a means to ensure the sustainability of projects and protect them from future risks.
He pointed out that the experience of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone demonstrated the importance of proper environmental planning in protecting investments, noting that the major industrial, service, and tourism projects implemented in Aqaba would not have been sustainable without clear environmental impact studies and monitoring plans that ensure ongoing economic activity.
Dr. Suleiman explained that the ministry is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Environmental Protection Law and its regulations, noting that the last major amendment dates back to 2017. He stressed that current economic and investment developments require updated legislation that eliminates ambiguities, addresses issues investors face, and ensures clarity in procedures and requirements.
He added that the review will include highly technical details, such as the required distances between industrial and environmental activities, pointing out that many of these standards were previously set without a clear scientific basis and are now being reassessed in consultation with experts and stakeholders.
The minister affirmed that the ministry welcomes all proposals from the private sector, especially from the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, stressing that dialogue is open to introduce any amendments that serve national, environmental, and investment interests.
Dr. Suleiman stated, “We will grant environmental approval if there is no genuine environmental risk, and it is the responsibility of other authorities to complete their own approvals. We do not want the environment to be used as a pretext to hinder projects.”
He also addressed the issue of waste and recycling, noting that Jordan has promising economic opportunities in this sector if managed with a modern approach.
He stated that 2026 and 2027 will see a focus on establishing a complete transitional system for waste management as part of a government plan aimed at turning waste from a burden into a sustainable economic resource, stressing that Aqaba’s experience has shown that investment in proper waste management can yield significant results.
The minister noted that landfilling alone is no longer an option and that industrial waste can be recycled or treated to become valuable raw materials. He said some countries even pay fees to dispose of certain types of waste, while Jordan could instead convert them into economic opportunities through collection, transport, and reuse. He confirmed that the ministry intends to capitalize on all these pathways to maximize resource value and minimize environmental impact.
He emphasized that the Economic Modernization Vision provides a comprehensive national framework that supports the shift toward a green economy as a strategic path to enhance competitiveness, attract investments, and ensure sustainable resource use.
Suleiman explained that the vision identifies the green economy as one of the key drivers of future growth through expanding the use of clean energy, developing green industries, improving waste management, and increasing job opportunities in environmental sectors.
He highlighted that the ministry works in coordination with stakeholders to implement the initiatives outlined in the vision and ensure that legislative and institutional environments are ready to accommodate green investments that contribute to sustainable economic growth and strengthen Jordan’s position as a regional hub for the green economy.
For his part, President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Senator Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, expressed appreciation for the ministry’s efforts to develop the waste management system and align recycling with international standards, affirming the commercial sector’s support for national environmental goals.
He stressed the importance of enhancing partnership between chambers of commerce across the Kingdom and the Ministry of Environment and organizing workshops to clarify environmental requirements and regulations for commercial and service sectors, especially regarding licensing.
Al-Haj Tawfiq highlighted the role of the commercial and service sectors in supporting the national economy and providing job opportunities, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to overcome challenges facing the business and investment environment and to embrace openness toward all sectors.
Board members and representatives also raised several issues of concern to the business sector, emphasizing the importance of establishing representative offices for the Ministry of Environment in the governorates to facilitate procedures for investors and ensure faster response times, while maintaining the competitive advantages of development and special zones to ensure investment stability.
They stressed the need to adopt clear corrective measures in cases of environmental violations, standardize joint inspection procedures among relevant authorities to reduce overlap and limit repeated visits that burden investors, and organize training workshops for the private sector to familiarize them with environmental laws and improve their compliance capacity.
They also emphasized the necessity of promoting recycling projects as an essential source for youth employment and helping them market their environmentally friendly products, in addition to the importance of installing clear signage to regulate construction waste disposal and manage it properly, contributing to improved urban appearance and reduced pollution across various regions. (Petra)
