National workshop charts path for economic expansion — PM

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Saturday emphasised the government’s readiness and commitment to implement the outputs of the national economic workshop.

During his virtual address at the first meeting of the National Economic Workshop at the Royal Hashemite Court, Khasawneh indicated that the workshop aims to prepare “a flexible roadmap” for the Kingdom which focuses on improving and expanding key sectors, economic empowerment factors, creating economic opportunities and improving the quality of life.

“The outputs of the workshop will remain with the government over the years as a Royal vision which is based on Jordanian capabilities,” Khasawneh said.

Khasawneh noted that the government will contribute to the development of the roadmap, as partnership with the private sector is essential for adopting a national strategic plan to overcome obstacles and continue on the right track.

“The outputs of this workshop will be a formula of national consensus in preparing the roadmap for accelerating economic growth, creating job opportunities and establishing partnerships between private and public sectors, especially during all the changes that the world is witnessing,” he added.

Khasawneh stressed the need to focus on and talk about “promising sectors”, achieving a competitive advantage in the field of education and medical tourism once again alongside benefitting from young Jordanian entrepreneurs’ achievements.

“The workshop establishes a long-term strategy which achieves the central goal of enlarging the Jordanian economy and achieving sustainable economic growth through the raising of competitiveness of the Jordanian economy in addressing unemployment,” the prime minister said.

Khasawneh indicated that Jordan's leadership and people are “accustomed to turning challenges into opportunities”, as witnessed during the pandemic. 

He added that “we are currently facing the Ukrainian-Russian crisis which affects many aspects globally, but Jordan is ready to deal with all repercussions”. 

The prime minister stressed that the government will reconcile outputs of the Public Sector Modernisation Committee with the outputs of the national economic workshop.

The National Economic Workshop, launched upon the King’s directives in his letter to Jordanians in late January, will be held in the Royal Hashemite Court over five weeks, and will bring together nearly 300 economists and experts.

The workshop, which will include representatives of the private sector, industry and commerce chambers, the government, parliament, academia, public institutions, civil society, the media sector, and other experts, seeks to come up with an economic vision and roadmap to enhance growth, create opportunities, and improve quality of life and services for Jordanians. 

The workshop, which will build on previous efforts, will cover 17 vital sectors: Agriculture and food security, energy, water, mining, ICT, financial services and markets, healthcare, trade and e-commerce, manufacturing and industry, tourism, education and labour market, transport and logistics, urban development and climate change, creative industries, fiscal policy, employability, and investment and doing business.