Ministry to establish database on Jordanian expatriates

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday listened to a briefing by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on his ministry’s efforts to enhance interaction with Jordanian expatriates as part of its strategy. 

Ambassador Rasem Hashem, the foreign minister’s adviser, highlighted the important role expatriates play in serving the country and contributing to pushing the development process forward, noting that the ministry is working on establishing a database to identify the number of Jordanians living abroad, their locations and professions.

In addition, the ministry will organise a conference for expatriates this year with the participation of the public and private sectors in order to discuss their needs. 

Hashem was one of two diplomats who paid field visits to 28 cities in 14 countries, including the Gulf states, the US, Canada, European nations and Australia, and held talks with Jordanian expatriates to listen to their ideas, needs and recommendations. 

Following the briefing, the Council of Ministers tasked the Foreign Ministry with turning the recommendations into an executive plan within 60 days that will be presented to stakeholders and expatriates for feedback before being endorsed. 

The recommendations include establishing a general council for representatives of Jordanians working abroad, a commission that brings them all together and an expatriates’ investment fund. 

Also during Sunday’s meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Cabinet decided to allow the administration of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts to receive financial and in-kind donations from public and private institutions to cover the event’s expenses. 

In addition, the Cabinet approved a cultural agreement between Jordan and Mexico, and endorsed a memo outlining the framework to negotiate a free trade agreement between the two countries.

The Cabinet also approved recommendations to select land plots in Jerash Governorate’s Aneibeh village as the location for an industrial city, taking into consideration the recommendations of the ministries of water and environment to ensure that the approved industries are eco-friendly.