Jordan's economic and employment programs have expanded over the past two years, increasing support for Jordanians seeking jobs in the private sector, financing small and medium-sized enterprises, and establishing new production branches across the Kingdom's governorates.
اضافة اعلان
These efforts have been accompanied by improvements to vocational training facilities and programs, updates to investment legislation and procedures, and support for industrial enterprises to increase productivity and exports. Preparations have also begun for new phases of the national export and e-commerce strategies.
The initiatives include policies and strategies already being implemented, direct financial support programs for businesses and individuals, and ongoing development projects across the governorates.
National Employment Program Supports Over 25,000 Jordanians
In the employment sector, the National Employment Program, launched by the Ministry of Labour in 2022, has helped expand employment opportunities for Jordanians in the private sector.
Between September 2024 and August 2026, the program supported the employment of 25,660 Jordanians, including 12,948 women and 12,712 men.
Beneficiaries included 19,199 young men and women aged 18–29, 3,064 recipients of assistance from the National Aid Fund, and 54 persons with disabilities.
The program continues to support jobseekers aged 18–45 through financial assistance and on-the-job training, with a target of reaching 89,000 beneficiaries by 2028.
Expansion of Production Branches Across Governorates
In line with Royal directives to develop and implement plans and projects aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment, the government has expanded its Production Branches Program to create sustainable employment opportunities near citizens' places of residence.
The initiative also aims to attract industrial and investment enterprises to establish production facilities in targeted areas, particularly less-developed regions and communities experiencing high poverty and unemployment rates.
The program covers several economic sectors, including garment manufacturing, food processing, technology industries, medical equipment and supplies, plastics manufacturing, aquaculture, paper, and cardboard production.
The number of operational production branches under the Ministry of Labour's initiative increased from 30 in September 2024 to 37 in August 2026.
These facilities have a combined employment capacity of 12,341 positions and currently employ 9,930 workers.
The seven newly established branches include three in Mafraq, two in Ma'an, and one each in Karak and Madaba, adding a combined capacity of 1,330 jobs.
The initiative encourages industrial enterprises to establish production branches in remote areas and regions with high unemployment and poverty rates. It connects these businesses with local jobseekers while providing training and wage subsidies.
Between September 2024 and August 2026, approximately 7,000 workers in existing and newly established branches benefited from the support program, with women accounting for 90% of beneficiaries.
Five additional production branches are currently being established in Ajloun, Ma'an, Balqa, Mafraq, and Irbid, with an expected combined capacity of 1,200 jobs.
Another five projects in Jerash, Zarqa, Karak, Tafilah, and the Central Badia are undergoing administrative procedures and technical assessments, with an estimated capacity of 750 jobs.
Vocational Training Facilities and Programs Expanded
In vocational and technical education, the Vocational Training Corporation established nine specialized vocational centers and three vocational institutes between September 2024 and August 2026.
It also upgraded the infrastructure of 18 institutes and 29 training workshops serving the agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors.
During the same period, 48 training programs were introduced or developed, bringing the total number of programs to 126, according to the corporation's reports.
A total of 17,638 trainees received training under 98 employment-linked training agreements.
The Partnerships for Development Project, which connects vocational training with overseas employment opportunities, helped secure jobs for 167 people, including 110 in Saudi Arabia and 57 in Germany.
In Naour, the Jordanian-Italian Training and Qualification Center was inaugurated to provide training in accordance with Italian standards in several fields, including construction, occupational safety, and health.
Looking ahead, the corporation plans to expand training specializations in digital transformation and renewable energy while strengthening partnerships with the private sector to provide direct training and employment opportunities.
These efforts aim to broaden the beneficiary base and improve jobseekers' readiness to secure high-quality, sustainable employment.
JD 39.8 Million Allocated to Project Financing
In project financing, the Development and Employment Fund provided approximately JD 39.8 million in financing to individuals and companies between September 2024 and August 2026.
During this period, 3,661 enterprises were established or developed, while supported projects generated 6,114 jobs across the governorates, including 2,575 opportunities for women.
The program encouraging women's entrepreneurship and self-employment financed 310 projects, creating 627 jobs for women.
Meanwhile, the entrepreneurship financing program supported 147 projects, generating 1,090 jobs.
Another financing program targeting the establishment and development of industrial, craft, service, and commercial enterprises supported 1,295 projects, creating 2,679 employment opportunities.
Under its strategic plan, the fund aims to reach tens of thousands of beneficiaries by 2031.
Investment Reforms Strengthen Jordan's Business Environment
Jordan's investment sector has witnessed notable progress over the past two years through the implementation of reforms and initiatives aimed at improving the business environment and increasing the Kingdom's attractiveness to domestic and foreign investors.
These measures include updating investment legislation, simplifying procedures for conducting economic activities, improving and digitizing investment services, and making administrative processes more efficient for investors.
The reforms also seek to strengthen investment incentives and facilities, helping reduce investment and production costs.
These efforts have coincided with an increase in foreign direct investment inflows, which reached approximately $2.0248 billion in 2025, compared with $1.6188 billion in 2024.
The increase of 25.1% was presented as an indicator of growing investor confidence in Jordan's economy and the attractiveness of its investment environment.
New Investment Regulations and Licensing Procedures
As part of efforts to modernize the legislative and regulatory framework, the government issued Amended Investment Environment Regulation No. 30 of 2026.
The regulation aims to strengthen Jordan's investment competitiveness by simplifying regulatory procedures, improving the efficiency of services provided to investors, and enhancing the Kingdom's position as a regional and international investment destination.
The measures are also intended to stimulate investment, support economic growth, and create employment opportunities.
Additionally, new instructions were issued in 2026 governing the granting of economic activity licenses based on the compliance principle in development and free zones.
The new approach allows investors to begin their economic activities more quickly by simplifying licensing procedures and applying subsequent regulatory inspections to verify compliance with applicable requirements.
Jordan has also approved and begun implementing a national action plan to improve its performance in the Business Ready (B-READY) index.
The plan includes reforms and procedures aimed at improving the business environment, modernizing regulatory and administrative frameworks, and increasing the efficiency of services provided to the private sector.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen Jordan's competitiveness and improve its standing in the international business readiness assessment.
Source: (Petra)
