Jordan Watch: Economic Policy

The principles of Arab Reform: Economic Reform

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:50:00 GMT

A continuation of the Alexandria declaration 2004 Secondly: Economic Reform 17- Economic reform includes all legislation, policies, and measures that would free the national economy and turn it efficiently in accordance with market mechanisms. This would be done in a manner that would ensure economic prosperity and facilitate integration with regional and global economies ... [read more]

Upgrading Jordan's Transport System

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:56:00 GMT

This is an interesting article from Oxford Business Group reflecting on the growing momentum of growth in Jordanian transport system. I wish at least half these expectations will be met. Hot on the heels of the selection of the consortium to build and operate the expanded Queen Alia International Airport, the ministry of transport announced on May 23 that it intends to develop a national rail... [read more]

Five Highlights from Davos 2007

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:27:00 GMT

Whether you like it or hate it, the World Economic Forum which has just finished in Davos is the most important meeting of global decision makers and influential characters. Issues debated and initiatives developed in the WEF usually represent the main global developments taht we will see in the nest few years. I have tried to compile to you the 10 most vibrant topics-from my perspective- that were... [read more]

Jordan Economy Review 2006

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:54:00 GMT

The Oxford Business Group has published its annual review of Jordan's economy in 2006. The summarised review goes as follows. 2006 was marked by major developments in Jordan, with key advances in the economy, especially in terms of attracting foreign investment, partly offset by the pressures applied by high fuel prices and the need to cut state expenditure. Jordan finished the year with... [read more]

Fuel and Taxes

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:01:00 GMT

This is a very important article by the Jordanian economic expert Dr Yousuf Mansour that explains why the government does actually profit from selling fuel in Jordan. This will make a lot of us see the truth in a crystalized way. Dr Mansour is a social-friendly economist and I urge you to monitor his weekly column in the Jordan Times. Fuel and taxes Yusuf Mansur Jordan’s fuel policy leaves... [read more]

Evaluating the performance of the QIZs in Jordan

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:20:00 GMT

Last week I was in Cairo to participate in a regional workshop on the impacts of the Free Trade Agreements and WTO agreements on development in the Arab World. The workshop was very useful and gathered a lot of regional and global experts including the well-known Third World Network that is specialised in advocating for fair and development-based economic activities in the developing world and exposing... [read more]

Can Real Estate Investment lead to Development?

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:10:00 GMT

This is a question that each one of us is asking while watching the massive boom in the real estate business including investments in new residential and tourism complexes as well as the bargaining and financial flows in real estates. Does this remarkable flow of money lead to development in terms of fighting poverty and unemployment? I think in principle any economic activity can lead to development... [read more]

Survey: Corruption on the rise in Jordan

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:00 GMT

This is an excellent review of the latest public opinion poll on Corruption in Jordan published by the Center for Strategic Studies in the University of Jordan. The review was published in the Jordan Times. If anyone is interested in having the full electronic version of the survey in Arabic please drop me an e-mail By Alia Shukri Hamzeh AMMAN — A new opinion poll released Wednesday reveals... [read more]

Selling Jordan Telecom for JD 500.0 million

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:15:00 GMT

The Jordanian Government is almost certian to sell its majority shares in the highly profitable and successful Jordan TeleCom. The negotiations have been underway with France TeleCom, the holders of 40% of the current shares, and with the Jordanian tycoon Sabih Al-Masri who is offering the government 1.5 billion JDs to get hold of all the 81% shares of the government and France Telecom in the company... [read more]

Victory: Income Tax Low rejected

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 03:07:00 GMT

It has been really done by the Upper House of Parliament. They have rejected the Incom Tax law, based on a request from the government, which was based also on a wide public campaign organized and energized by the civil society and press. This is a victory for democracy in Jordan. The Senate told Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, that the law was in conflict with His Majesty King Abdullah's Letter... [read more]

The National Law to Combat the Middle Class in Jordan!

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 01:07:00 GMT

The year 2006 is expected to witness the launch of a long-term process of survival for the Middle Class in Jordan, to be added to the continuous survival battle fought by the poor since decades. The main element of this survival battle is the new Income Tax law, which is a major threat to the family budget and savings of the Middle class in Jordan. The Bakhit government promised in its policy... [read more]