Amman: The Council of Ministers sanctioned several initiatives during its Sunday session, notably the expansion of the Rural Economic Development and Employment Project (Phase III) and the finalization of international cooperation agreements.
According to Jordan News Agency, the expanded rural development project, managed by the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and funded with $15 million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is set to run for six years. It focuses on increasing job prospects for Jordanian youth by enhancing the technical and competitive capacities of small farmers and agricultural SMEs throughout the Kingdom. Importantly, thirty percent of the project’s activities are allocated to climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. The project specifically targets rural families, youth, women, and small-scale fruit and vegetable producers with limited income sources.
Since its inception, the project has successfully generated over 7,000 direct job opportunities and awarded more than 2,000 grants aimed at agricultural entrepreneurship, water harvesting, hydroponics, and irrigation improvements. It has also financed over 2,300 small agricultural projects, aiding farmers and exporters in meeting quality standards and acquiring necessary certifications.
In a move to alleviate financial burdens on Jordanians, the Cabinet revised a previous decision regarding the seizure of debtors’ assets by the Public Funds Directorate. The new regulation restricts real estate seizures to the precise debt amount or its equivalent value. Seizure of movable assets will also remain proportional to the debt. The amendment mandates that debt settlements include guarantees to protect the Treasury’s rights, accompanied by a certified valuation of seized property.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved a pound 30 million financing agreement with the German Development Bank. This agreement supports the National Water Carrier Project with pound 25 million and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the education sector with pound 5 million. The water project, a critical strategic initiative, aims to supply 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually to mitigate water shortages across governorates.
Additionally, a $11 million grant from the Republic of Korea was sanctioned to establish the Korean-Jordanian Institute for Engineering and Technology Training at the University of Jordan. This institute aims to enhance engineering education quality and align training programs with labor market demands, thereby supporting youth employability.
In a strategic move to strengthen international cooperation, the Cabinet endorsed the establishment of a UNICEF Global Office and a new Regional Office for the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Central Asia in Amman. This decision underscores Jordan’s role as a hub for international humanitarian and development organizations.
The Cabinet also ratified important international agreements, including the Jordan-Uzbekistan Extradition Treaty (2025) to enhance legal cooperation and combat crime, and a Jordan-Rwanda Environmental Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in environmental protection and climate change, focusing on clean energy, air quality, natural resource management, and sustainable development.