Khasawneh meets with IMF Jordan mission chief

AMMAN — The government is proceeding with measures meant to enhance economic growth and attract investments that could generate jobs for Jordanians, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh said on Wednesday. 

Khasawneh's remarks came during a meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jordan mission chief Ali Abbas.

The meeting was attended by Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nasser Shraideh, Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Ibrahim Jazi and Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ.

The government is intended to refer to the Lower House a bill regulating the investment environment and doing business, which would help in enhancing the investment climate, and attract further domestic and foreign investments, which has a direct impact on promoting economic development and contributing to reducing unemployment, Khasawneh said, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

He also stressed the government's commitment to “a genuine partnership” with the private sector to allow it to play its key role in economic development.

The measures taken by the government and the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) have enhanced financial and monetary stability, the premier said, pointing out that the CBJ's foreign reserves have recorded “unprecedented” figures.

The impacts of the pandemic and the Ukrainian-Russian crisis were also tackled during the meeting.

Abbas said that Jordan has managed to maintain economic stability, at a time during which several countries suffered serious economic repercussions, expressing confidence in Jordan's structural reforms that contributed in enhancing economic growth.

He also highlighted the fund's readiness to support Jordan to overcome the challenges the country is facing.