Aqaba: The Development and Employment Fund (DEF) is set to expand its financial credit facilities in support of the tourism sector, aligning with national economic modernization goals to boost investment and entrepreneurship in high-growth industries, according to the fund's chief on Sunday.
According to Jordan News Agency, Mansour Al-Wreikat, Director General of the DEF, made this announcement during an operational visit to the fund's regional branch in Aqaba. This visit is part of a broader field tour aimed at evaluating public service delivery and reviewing financial support programs for local businesses.
Al-Wreikat highlighted during a meeting with community members that Aqaba, with its unique competitive advantages, offers vast investment opportunities, especially in the tourism and hospitality sectors. He noted that the region presents a highly viable ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), capable of generating sustainable employment and driving local economic development.
The director general stressed the importance of enhancing the quality of developmental and financial services offered by the fund. This strategic focus is aimed directly at accelerating the economic empowerment of women and youth, while supporting innovative startup concepts and local manufacturing operations.
The visit included field inspections of several ongoing DEF-funded ventures. Officials cited these as successful models for micro-financing that have achieved institutional sustainability and market expansion.
Al-Wreikat also met with the branch management and administrative staff to review application intake procedures and credit monitoring mechanisms. He called for streamlining administrative bottlenecks and enhancing service metrics. He urged staff to implement data-driven improvements derived from "mystery shopper" evaluation reports to optimize corporate performance and maximize client satisfaction.
This regulatory visit is part of the fund's ongoing decentralized strategy to engage directly with field branches across Jordan's governorates. The aim is to decentralize operations, encourage regional entrepreneurship, and spur job creation.