Amman: The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, convened on Tuesday to approve key legislative amendments and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness, strengthening data protection, and improving essential services.
According to Jordan News Agency, Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani announced during a press conference at the Prime Ministry that the Cabinet approved a draft law amending the Competition Law for 2025. The amendment seeks to refine competition policies in line with global best practices by strengthening the institutional capacity of the Competition Protection Department. It grants the department greater technical independence, executive authority, and investigative powers to address anti-competitive practices and refer cases to the Public Prosecutor.
The amendments align with the Economic Modernization Vision and aim to promote fair competition, foster economic growth, encourage innovation, and protect consumers from monopolistic practices. Additionally, the law proposes establishing a “Competition Affairs Council,” comprising representatives from both the public and private sectors, to guide national competition policy.
The draft law also introduces stricter penalties for repeated competition violations, narrows the scope of legal exemptions, and enhances enforcement mechanisms to detect anti-competitive behavior. These measures are expected to improve Jordan’s global competitiveness ranking and attract investments within a regulated and transparent market.
The Cabinet also approved the reasons for the draft Data Disclosure System for 2025, forwarding it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for review. The proposed system outlines procedures for data disclosure while safeguarding privacy, ensuring integrity, and preventing misuse.
The system, developed under Article 24 of Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023, establishes clear guidelines for permissible data disclosures, including the entities authorized to receive such data and the conditions governing its release. It mandates that data managers and processors uphold strict confidentiality measures, ensuring disclosures remain proportionate to their intended purpose without infringing on individuals’ rights.
Additionally, the regulation stipulates that disclosed data must be kept to a minimum and retained only for the period necessary to fulfill its designated function. These measures are designed to build trust in Jordan’s digital economy, encourage e-commerce, and position the Kingdom as a regional hub for data centers and cloud computing services.
The Cabinet greenlit several critical infrastructure initiatives in the environment, water, and education sectors. Among them is the al-Akidar landfill development project, valued at approximately JD 30 million. The project, which serves 38 municipalities in northern Jordan, will receive JD 20 million in funding from the European Union, with the government contributing JD 10 million. The initiative falls within the national solid waste management strategy and aims to establish a sanitary landfill cell at the al-Akidar site, the second-largest landfill in the Kingdom.
In the water sector, the government approved the first phase of the Bani Kinanah water supply improvement project, valued at JD 9 million. The project, scheduled for completion within 24 months, will enhance water distribution across 25 villages and integrate natural flow systems to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. The initiative forms part of the National Water Strategy 2023-2040 and is one of four interlinked projects totaling JD 40 million to improve water access and efficiency.
The Cabinet also approved the construction of two new schools: al-Alouk Mixed Basic School in Zarqa Governorate and Zainab Secondary School for Girls in Amman. The Saudi Fund for Development will finance both projects, contributing JD 1.7 million and JD 1.4 million, respectively. Al-Alouk School will consist of a three-story building with 12 classrooms spanning 2,360 square meters, while Zainab Secondary School will feature a two-story structure with 10 classrooms covering 1,670 square meters.
On Syrian refugees in the Kingdom, the Cabinet decided to exempt returning refugees from specific customs fees on the transportation of personal belongings. The exemption applies to the customs declaration (AR9) for furniture and household items.
The Cabinet ratified an agreement with Azerbaijan on customs cooperation and mutual assistance, aiming to bolster collaboration between Jordan Customs and Azerbaijan’s State Customs Authority. The agreement will facilitate the exchange of expertise and intelligence to combat customs violations.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Jordan Museum and the National Museum of Oman to advance cultural and museum-related initiatives. The agreement seeks to foster knowledge exchange, develop joint exhibitions, and enhance museum management practices.
The Cabinet also authorized legal procedures to formalize diplomatic relations between Jordan and Guinea. Under a joint statement, the two countries agreed to establish diplomatic ties based on the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations, reinforcing bilateral cooperation.
The Cabinet discussed strategies to strengthen internal control units across ministries and public institutions to ensure transparency, improve governance, and enhance accountability. The Cabinet reviewed a report from the President of the Audit Bureau, outlining mechanisms to optimize the performance of 166 internal control units nationwide. Prime Minister Hassan directed all government bodies to implement necessary reforms to align internal oversight functions with national integrity standards.
During the press conference, Momani reiterated Jordan’s unwavering stance on Gaza, reaffirming His Majesty King Abdullah II’s rejection of forced displacement, settlement, or any attempts to impose an alternative homeland for Palestinians.
Momani condemned Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for the immediate implementation of international law to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies. He stressed that Jordan remains committed to diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian people.
Regarding the arrival of injured children from Gaza to Jordan for medical treatment, Momani confirmed that cases identified by Jordanian medical teams in Gaza are being transported via Marka Airport and border crossings.
Addressing Jordan-Syria relations, Momani described ties between the two countries as deep-rooted, affirming Jordan’s commitment to assisting Syria during its transitional phase. He also denounced Israel’s airstrikes on Syrian territory, labeling them a violation of Syrian sovereignty.