Economic experts have confirmed that 2026 marks a pivotal phase in Jordan’s economic development, as the year is set to focus on strategic projects in sectors such as water, energy, transport, and infrastructure, considered key tools to support growth and stimulate the national economy.
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They told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that these projects will help boost economic growth by stimulating aggregate demand, expanding the productive base, and creating direct and indirect job opportunities, especially in sectors linked to supply chains and supporting services.
Improving the quality of infrastructure and public services is expected to positively impact the creation of an attractive investment environment. Experts emphasized that these efforts align with the Economic Modernization Vision, which aims to raise growth rates through total investments estimated at JD 41 billion, with the private sector leading approximately 72% of the projects.
They highlighted that 2026 is the year of strategic projects and developmental construction, representing the continuation of implementing the economic modernization system across its various dimensions and strategic pillars.
Eng. Abdel Rahim Al-Baqai, Chairman of the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company, noted that focusing on strategic energy projects and energy security is crucial due to energy’s impact on all economic sectors, ensuring significant stability for Jordan.
He pointed to upcoming developments in the energy sector in 2026, including a gas sales agreement to Syria via the Arab Gas Pipeline from Aqaba, which is expected to undergo near-future development.
Al-Baqai emphasized the importance of projects such as the Risha gas project, its transportation and storage, and the development of gas fields to meet domestic demand. Positive indicators in this area are expected to reduce costs across many sectors.
He added that the King’s birthday serves as a symbolic milestone to set the annual business plan for the new year. He also highlighted that the developmental aspects of the National Water Carrier project are as significant as its contributions to energy and water security, alongside other economically and developmentally important gas projects, which will form the backbone for supporting industry and industrial exports.
Dr. Ali Al-Maddah, former Chairman of the Jordanian Industrial Estates Company, said that fiscal and monetary policies are key drivers of economic activities, whether in goods or services, influencing the business cycle during growth or recession.
He explained that the Economic Modernization Vision 2026–2029 is built on three main pillars:
Economic Growth – stimulating productive sectors such as industry, smart agriculture, food security, tourism, mining, digital economy, and technology services.
Human Empowerment – aligning technical education with youth employment and improving productivity.
Sustainability and Governance – ensuring financial sustainability through public debt control, efficient government spending, green transformation, renewable energy, water management, governance improvement, and digital government transformation.
Al-Maddah noted that these pillars aim to achieve sustainable growth of 5–6% annually, contingent on actual investment rather than targets. He stressed the importance of directing fiscal and monetary tools, alongside comprehensive administrative efficiency in both public and private sectors, toward investment spending to enhance productivity in the overall economy.
Dr. Raed Mosaada Bani Yaseen, former Dean of the Faculty of Business at the University of Jordan and Professor of Management Information Systems, highlighted that digital transformation and innovation are key drivers of sustainable economic growth, particularly when systematically integrated into major strategic projects.
He noted that digital transformation significantly improves planning, execution, and management methods, increases efficiency, enhances productivity, and reduces costs. By adopting digital solutions such as automation, big data analysis, AI, IoT, and e-commerce, service quality improves, processes accelerate, and transparency and governance are strengthened.
Innovation also helps transform projects from traditional models into dynamic platforms that can adapt to economic and technological changes, creating new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, boosting competitiveness, and expanding participation in economic growth. Integrating digital transformation across sectors such as industry, health, education, and transport enhances efficiency, improves outcomes, and maximizes the economic and social impact of major projects.
Dr. Bani Yaseen stressed that investing in digital infrastructure, developing digital skills, and supporting innovation ecosystems is essential to turn strategic projects into effective tools for inclusive and sustainable growth, benefiting both the economy and citizens directly.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khataybeh, Professor of International Finance at the University of Jordan, described 2026 as a turning point for major strategic projects in Jordan, noting their potential to create a sustainable multiplier effect on economic growth.
He pointed out that these initiatives align with the Economic Modernization Vision, which aims to create one million additional jobs by 2033 and increase growth rates through total investments of JD 41 billion, with the private sector leading around 72% of them.
Al-Khataybeh explained that infrastructure projects are cornerstones of this path. The National Water Carrier project, with a capacity of 300 million cubic meters per year and an extension of nearly 438 km, not only addresses a structural water gap but also generates broad demand for industries and supporting services, backed by a renewable energy system of approximately 281 MW. The National Railway project, with an investment of around $2.3 billion, will reduce transportation costs, enhance the competitiveness of mining and logistics sectors, and link them to regional markets.
He emphasized that the optimal impact of these projects is achieved when paired with effective local content policies, directed financing for SMEs, and specialized skills programs. Thus, 2026 transforms from a year of project implementation into a platform for boosting productivity, stimulating private investment, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Ruba Abu Shahab, Associate Professor of Economics at Al-Balqa Applied University, noted that 2026 represents a critical stage in Jordan’s economic development, focusing on strategic projects as key tools to support growth and stimulate the national economy.
She explained that the significance of these projects lies in their ability to address chronic structural imbalances, particularly in water, energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors, which are essential inputs for production and investment.
Abu Shahab stressed that effective utilization of these projects requires aligning them systematically with the priorities of the Economic Modernization Vision and linking them to clear objectives such as increasing productivity, improving public spending efficiency, and enhancing local value addition. She also emphasized that adopting public-private partnership models improves operational efficiency, reduces financial burdens on the state budget, and ensures sustainable funding.
She added that these projects are expected to boost economic growth by stimulating aggregate demand, expanding the productive base, and creating direct and indirect job opportunities, particularly in sectors linked to supply chains and supporting services. Improving infrastructure and public services will positively impact the business climate and strengthen investor confidence.
(Petra— Mohammad Noor Al-Kurdi)
