Day: June 14, 2026

Amman: The Cabinet approved the extension of the concession agreement granted to the National Petroleum Company for oil and gas exploration and production in the Risha Gas Field for an additional 15 years, extending its validity until 2061. The decision is part of efforts to achieve greater self-sufficiency in locally produced natural gas, diversify energy sources, and implement one of the key projects included in the second Executive Programme of the Economic Modernisation Vision (2026-2029).

According to Jordan News Agency, the move aims to support the development of an integrated and sustainable energy economy that attracts investment and promotes economic growth. The extension was approved based on a recommendation by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to enable the company to complete its comprehensive development plans. Under its production strategy, the National Petroleum Company aims to increase output from the Risha Gas Field to 418 million standard cubic feet per day by 2030 and further raise production to 810 million standard cubic feet per day by 2035. The company is financing the development of gas processing facilities and pipeline infrastructure through its own resources to ensure the efficient delivery of natural gas to consumers and strengthen long-term national energy security.

In a related development, the company has begun taking the necessary logistical steps to establish natural gas processing units and launch construction of a strategic pipeline linking the Risha Gas Field to the Arab Gas Pipeline. The project is expected to transport locally produced gas to consumption centres across the Kingdom and become operational by 2029. The government is providing financial support to help the company implement its production expansion plans, allocating a total of JD87 million over three years. This includes JD35 million this year, a similar amount in 2027, and JD17 million in 2028.

As part of public sector modernisation efforts, the Cabinet approved the first phase of technical competency frameworks covering a range of common government positions, including human resources, digital transformation, information management and data analysis, cybersecurity, legal affairs, procurement, inventory management, media and communication, service provision, administrative affairs, and financial affairs. The competency frameworks are intended to establish unified and transparent standards for public sector positions, enhance institutional efficiency, improve service delivery, and strengthen public trust in government institutions. The government will adopt a competency-based approach focused on employees’ knowledge, skills, and behaviours rather than traditional job titles and qualifications.

For the first time, the framework establishes a unified understanding of these occupations, which account for approximately 40 percent of public sector jobs, by defining the competencies required for recruitment, development, and performance evaluation according to clear and measurable standards. The frameworks are intended to support professional development, performance management, and training programmes, enabling government institutions to invest more effectively in human capital. The Cabinet directed all government entities to adopt the framework in their human resources processes and tasked the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority with monitoring implementation, providing technical support, and updating the frameworks when necessary.

Future steps include developing assessment tools capable of measuring these competencies and providing the framework to the Jordanian Academy of Public Administration to design cumulative training programs linked to career development pathways. As part of efforts to modernise government institutions and improve organisational structures, the Cabinet approved the justifications for the draft Administrative Organisation Bylaw of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority for 2026 and referred it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete the required legislative procedures. The draft bylaw seeks to strengthen the Authority’s organisational and administrative structure, enhance institutional efficiency, reinforce governance, transparency and accountability, and ensure the optimal use of human, financial, and technological resources through a clearer distribution of responsibilities.

The proposed reforms are intended to improve administrative effectiveness in serving Petra, one of Jordan’s most important tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a major contributor to the national economy and a key destination for visitors and investors, Petra requires a modern and flexible administrative system capable of supporting sustainable tourism development and improving visitor services. The bylaw is expected to strengthen coordination among the Authority’s organisational units, improve institutional performance, enhance service delivery, and boost Petra’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Administrative Organisation Bylaw of the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) for 2026 to align its organisational structure with the Social Development Law of 2024 and the public sector modernisation roadmap. The amendments include restructuring the ministry by establishing specialised departments focused on care, protection, institutional support, governorate affairs, and development, in addition to directorates designed to enhance the sustainability of funding and governance for associations. The revised structure establishes an Inspection and Compliance Unit to strengthen the independence of oversight over care homes and licensed entities, as well as dedicated units for information management, data analysis, and cybersecurity to support digital transformation and improve decision-making.

The government stated that the implementation of the new structure will not result in additional financial burdens on the state budget, as staffing requirements will be met through internal restructuring and redeployment of existing personnel. The Cabinet approved amendments to the Administrative Organisation Bylaw of the Income and Sales Tax Department for 2026. The amendments aim to align the department’s organisational structure with international best practices in planning, analysis, and risk management in tax administration, while keeping pace with technological developments and digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency.

To support economic activity and improve services, the Cabinet approved the justifications for amendments to the Amman Building and Zoning Bylaw for 2026 and referred the draft legislation to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for final review. The proposed amendments are designed to create a more supportive environment for economic activity and stimulate growth in the construction sector in Amman. They respond to recommendations submitted by partner organisations through consultation sessions, including the Housing Investors Association, the Association of Engineering Offices, and the Jordan Engineers Association. Discussions focused on extending procedural deadlines and facilitating licensing and service-related procedures for businesses and people.

In the education sector, the Cabinet approved the draft Education Tax budget for the years 2026-2028, estimated at approximately JD20 million. The revenues generated from the tax, which is collected through the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and other municipalities in accordance with the law, will be allocated to school construction, infrastructure development, and maintenance projects. The budget is approved annually by the Cabinet and provides an important source of funding for the Ministry of Education’s efforts to expand and maintain educational facilities across the Kingdom.

Amman: Minister of Education Azmi Mahafza met on Sunday with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Jordan, Khurram Sarfraz Khan, to discuss strengthening and expanding cooperation in education. The meeting addressed cooperation in higher education and coordination on visa-related matters concerning students enrolled in universities in both countries.

According to Jordan News Agency, Mahafza emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to providing Pakistani students in Jordan with the same level of educational services offered to Jordanian students, whether in public, private schools, or at Jordanian universities. He highlighted the longstanding partnership between Jordan and Pakistan and expressed readiness to further expand collaboration, particularly in the field of education.

Ambassador Khan praised the hospitality and positive treatment extended to Pakistani nationals in Jordan. He commended the quality of educational services and the wide range of support provided by Jordan to the Pakistani community across various sectors.

Amman: The Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) has proudly received three prestigious international certifications for its management systems. These certifications mark a significant milestone in the chamber’s ongoing commitment to excellence.

According to Jordan News Agency, the ACC was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certification and the ISO 10001:2018 Customer Complaints and Satisfaction Management System certification, following the transfer of their accreditation to Bureau Veritas. Additionally, the ACC successfully renewed its ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management certification after passing a stringent audit conducted by Bureau Veritas. This renewal underscores the chamber’s dedication to adhering to international standards and improving its risk management practices.

The certifications were formally presented to the ACC’s Chairman, Senator Khalil Haj Tawfiq. Representing Bureau Veritas at the ceremony were Ahmad Khawaja, the Director of Accreditation and Certification for Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon, along with several other company officials. They acknowledged the chamber’s rigorous efforts in fulfilling auditing requirements and aligning institutional documents and procedures with international standards.

Haj Tawfiq emphasized that these certifications highlight the ACC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its institutional performance and service quality. He noted that the chamber remains focused on adopting best global practices in management, quality, customer satisfaction, and risk management. This achievement is a testament to the chamber’s dedication to continuous planning and improvement, aimed at elevating performance efficiency and improving the work environment.

The chamber is determined to keep pace with the fast-evolving business landscape, striving to enhance service quality and institutional processes to attain the highest levels of satisfaction and trust among its members and service recipients, Haj Tawfiq added.

Supporting this view, Ahmad Khawaja of Bureau Veritas commended the ACC’s achievement as a reflection of its “high level of institutional commitment” to international standards in management, quality, and risk management. He praised the chamber’s successful audit process as evidence of the efficiency of its systems and procedures.

Khawaja further noted that these certifications provide a framework for continuous improvement, enhancing performance efficiency and bolstering the confidence of service recipients. He acknowledged the ACC’s efforts in presenting an “advanced institutional model” for modern management systems, which enabled the chamber to secure these international certifications.

Amman: Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar announced details of a Cabinet decision to legalize and regularize the status of non-Jordanian workers of all nationalities in accordance with the Labor Law and related regulations and instructions. The initiative is effective from Monday through September 30.

According to Jordan News Agency, the decision aims to address ongoing labor market distortions and encourage employers to rectify the status of non-Jordanian workers who have not secured or renewed their work permits in previous periods. These measures are expected to alleviate the financial burden on employers while ensuring compliance with labor regulations and improving governance.

The minister clarified that workers in the garment and knitwear manufacturing sector and complementary production-input industries within development zones, Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs), and free zones, as well as those holding permits in specialized-skills professions, are excluded from this decision. Employers are encouraged to take advantage of the exemption period to regularize the status of their workers.

The Ministry of Labor, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Public Security Directorate, will launch a comprehensive inspection campaign during the regularization period to identify labor violations across all sectors. Post the grace period, deportation measures will be enacted against non-Jordanian workers whose work permits have expired for three months or more and who fail to regularize their status.

Under the Cabinet’s decision, employers and non-Jordanian workers across all economic sectors, including domestic workers, will be exempt from 50 percent of accumulated work permit fees for previous periods. There is also a full exemption from late-payment penalties for renewing expired work permits or transferring workers between employers. Non-Jordanian workers covered under the Residence and Foreigners Affairs Law No. 24 of 1973 will receive a full exemption from overstay fines if they regularize their status within the specified period.

The decision specifies that only the work permit fee for the most recent valid permit year will be collected. Workers opting for permanent departure will have all previous work permit fees and fines waived, and will be exempt from residency overstay penalties, provided their files are settled prior to departure. Departing workers can collect their social security entitlements directly from the Social Security Corporation.

The decision further allows for hiring non-Jordanian workers who benefitted from past exemption programs or who opted for permanent departure but remain in Jordan, enabling them to obtain work permits and new exemptions. It also permits non-Jordanian nationals who entered Jordan for non-work reasons to obtain work permits for the first time.

The decision allows for the transfer of non-Jordanian workers between economic sectors, subject to conditions. However, workers with specialized-skills permits are restricted in their ability to transfer to other professions, except under self-employment permits. Holders of self-employment permits may transfer to building services occupations, and workers in the garment and knitwear sector can move to different employers without previous employer clearance.

In general, the decision eliminates the requirement for a clearance certificate from a previous employer for permit transfers. Workers reported as absconding can benefit without employer approval, provided their work permit expired more than a year ago.

For domestic workers, measures are introduced to facilitate transfers and regularization. Domestic workers reported absent and replaced can transfer to a new employer without former employer approval, provided the absence report is withdrawn. Those not replaced may transfer after two years with the absence notification withdrawn.

Additionally, female domestic workers married to Jordanian citizens can obtain new work permits following divorce or widowhood. Individuals who entered Jordan for employment may obtain domestic worker permits with Ministry of Interior approval. Domestic workers with expired permits can transfer to other sectors after two years without previous employer approval.

Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Sunday outlined the key pillars of Jordan’s Energy Sector Strategy 2025-2035, highlighting projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening energy security, achieving financial sustainability, and advancing the mineral resources sector.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with the Senate’s Energy and Mineral Resources Committee, chaired by Farouk Hayari, Kharabsheh stated that the ministry is implementing a financial sustainability plan to reduce losses incurred by the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO), address accumulated financial obligations, and improve the overall efficiency of the electricity sector. The plan also focuses on reducing electricity losses and enhancing the performance of the national power grid.

Kharabsheh noted that the construction of two power generation plants with a combined capacity of 1,400 megawatts will strengthen the reliability of the electricity system and help meet future demand. On regional energy integration, he said the ministry is working to double the capacity of the electricity interconnection line with Syria and Lebanon and is seeking the necessary financing to implement the project. He added that work is continuing on the Jordan-Saudi electricity interconnection project in line with agreements signed between the two countries.

The minister also highlighted Jordan’s efforts to develop green hydrogen projects, describing them as a strategic priority that will reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for clean energy while capitalizing on its competitive advantages in renewable energy. Kharabsheh said the National Petroleum Company is proceeding with plans to drill additional natural gas wells to increase domestic production, with the goal of covering a significant share of the Kingdom’s gas needs by 2029.

He added that the ministry continues to expand natural gas infrastructure by supplying industrial cities with gas and extending the network to additional industrial zones across the Kingdom. In the exploration sector, Kharabsheh said the ministry plans to launch tenders for a 3D seismic survey in the East Jafr region covering approximately 4,800 square kilometers, with preliminary results expected by the end of the year.

Addressing the mining sector, he highlighted the enactment of the Mineral Resources Law and reviewed the Abu Khashiba Agreement and its implementation framework, noting that the government’s share of profits could reach up to 65 percent under the agreement. He stressed that mining legislation is designed to maximize the added value of Jordan’s natural resources by encouraging downstream processing industries and limiting the export of raw mineral ores. Such measures, he said, will support economic growth and create employment opportunities for Jordanians.

Kharabsheh also reviewed national programs and awareness campaigns aimed at improving energy efficiency and rationalizing energy consumption across various sectors, contributing to lower energy costs, greater sustainability, and more efficient use of resources. Committee members underscored the importance of continuing strategic energy and mining projects and commended efforts to strengthen energy security and increase the contribution of domestic resources to Jordan’s energy mix, supporting economic growth and enhancing national competitiveness.

Tafileh: Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat on Sunday signed an annex to the “Women’s Economic Participation in Floriculture in Tafileh” project, aimed at boosting women’s economic empowerment and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the governorate.

According to Jordan News Agency, the project is funded by the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) and will be implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and UN Women, with a total budget of approximately $1.917 million.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, attended by Tafileh Governor Sultan Al-Madi, South African Ambassador Tselane Mokuena and representatives of UN Women Jordan, Khraisat stated that the project supports the ministry’s efforts to implement its national strategy for agricultural sector development and sustainable rural growth. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the 2026-2029 Executive Program of the Economic Modernization Vision, focusing on reducing poverty and unemployment, economically empowering rural women, developing local communities, and enhancing the sustainable use of Tafileh’s natural resources.

Khraisat described the project as a model for cooperation between national institutions and international organizations, praising the role of UN agencies, particularly UN Women, in supporting government initiatives with developmental, environmental, and agricultural dimensions.

UN Women Jordan Representative Nicolas Burnait commented that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through the green economy, local innovation, and international cooperation, which will help expand economic opportunities and foster inclusive and sustainable growth. He highlighted the importance of strengthening South-South cooperation through the exchange of development expertise and knowledge, translating them into tangible outcomes that benefit local communities and support Jordan’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Project officials outlined its development, economic, social, and agricultural objectives, highlighting plans to establish a specialized floriculture and horticulture center in Tafileh. The center will integrate cut-flower production, green plants, and supporting crops to diversify high-value agricultural exports and create suitable employment opportunities for women and youth.

The project will also introduce climate-smart agricultural systems to improve water-use efficiency and strengthen the sustainability of agricultural production. It is expected to directly and indirectly benefit around 500 people through capacity-building, training, and income-generation programs. The project is projected to create 248 direct and indirect economic opportunities, including 148 new income-generating opportunities, while supporting 200 existing agricultural entrepreneurs in climate-smart agriculture and water-efficient farming practices.