‘Economic policies should protect middle, low-income segments’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Monday visited the 81 Parachute Battalion/ Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah II Brigade – Royal Thunderbolts 28, where he met with senior JAF officers.

in the meeting attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, His Majesty expressed his pride in JAF personnel, and highlighted the important role of JAF and security apparatuses in the society and the development of Jordan, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Supreme Commander stressed that the Kingdom is capable of safeguarding its borders with Syria, referring, in this regard, to the ceasefire agreement that was reached between Jordan, the US and Russia.

As for the economic situation in Jordan, the King stressed the need for the government to adopt measures that protect the medium- and low-income segments, and work on improving the economic conditions until citizens can feel them. 

His Majesty called for directing subsidies to citizens, in light of having millions of foreign residents in the Kingdom, stressing that protecting Jordanians is the foremost priority.

King Abdullah said that the Income Tax Law should address tax evasion. 

His Majesty stressed that economic crises facing the Kingdom are rooted in regional turbulence witnessed over the past years.

He said that interruption in the Egyptian gas supply, crises in neighbouring countries that led to a 20 per cent population growth, lack of proportionate support by the international community and the border closure with main commercial partners have had the biggest impact on the Kingdom's economy.

The world has not offered enough, he said, noting that refugees are draining a quarter of the Kingdom's annual budget, adding that there is no other country that spends a quarter of its budget on refugees like Jordan does.

The King went over the main issues that he discussed with heads of state and delegations during his visit to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly's 72nd session, the top of which were the Palestinian issue and regional crises.

In this regard, His Majesty stressed that Jordan's policy in dealing with these crises has been applauded internationally, expressing his optimism in US President Donald Trump's commitment to pushing forward the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

The Supreme Commander also noted that the Princess Salma military housing in Zarqa is part of a comprehensive plan to establish military housing across the Kingdom, expressing appreciation to the UAE's role in this regard
(see separate story).

The King and the top brass also discussed issues of concern to JAF, especially those related to its development in terms of armament, training and rehabilitation.