Amman, Jan. 29 (Petra) – Following His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent visit to Irbid, Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court Yousef Issawi, who heads the committee overseeing the implementation of His Majesty’s initiatives, on Thursday sponsored the signing of an agreement to establish a production branch of ISO Education and Technology City Company in the Bani Kinanah District of Irbid Governorate, as part of the Royal Initiative for Productive Branches.
The agreement, signed at the Royal Hashemite Court, was inked by Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar, ISO Education and Technology City Company Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Alkhattab, and head of the Yarmouk Municipality Committee Fayez Shaaban.
The project falls within the framework of the Productive Branches Initiative, launched by His Majesty in 2008, which aims to establish factory and company branches in targeted areas across the governorates to provide sustainable job opportunities for Jordanians, particularly in areas distant from city centers and industrial zones.
The new factory, the company’s second, specializes in modern technology and smart software. It will be established on a six-dunum plot leased from Yarmouk Municipality, with a built-up area of 4,000 square meters, and will provide 250 job opportunities. The company’s first branch, established in the Fuheis area through royal initiatives, is nearing completion and is expected to provide more than 200 jobs.
During the signing ceremony, Issawi said the project embodies the royal vision of promoting local development, improving living standards, reducing internal migration from outlying areas to major cities, and localizing industry and technology within the governorates.
Issawi said the initiative has achieved tangible results, with around 35 projects and production units established and operating across the Kingdom’s governorates in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, providing more than 10,000 job opportunities, particularly for women, and contributing to social and economic stability in targeted areas.
He added that the Productive Branches Initiative represents a model of partnership between Royal Initiatives, the government, and the private sector, under which Royal Initiatives provide infrastructure, the government offers operational support during the first year, and the private sector assumes responsibility for operations, training, and job creation.
Issawi underscored the role of the initiative in achieving balanced development and expanding employment opportunities by enabling young men and women to work near their homes, reducing commuting burdens, and supporting social and economic stability. He also commended the Ministry of Labor’s role and the private sector’s commitment to investing in Jordanian human capital.
For his part, Bakkar said the Royal Initiative for Productive Branches serves as a practical mechanism for aligning employment policies with local community needs, increasing economic participation rates, particularly among young people, and enhancing job stability. He noted that the ISO project aligns with the royal vision and the Economic Modernization Vision, particularly through its focus on technology and software sectors.
Bakkar said the Ministry of Labor remains committed to providing operational support and linking job opportunities with training and qualification programs to ensure project sustainability and tangible economic and social impact in the governorates.
Alkhattab said establishing the production branch in Bani Kinanah reflects the company’s commitment to supporting local economic development and implementing the royal vision by creating sustainable job opportunities and expanding the presence of modern technology in the governorates.
Shaaban described the project as a strategic opportunity for the Bani Kinanah District, contributing to local development and providing employment opportunities for residents, while reflecting the success of cooperation between Royal Initiatives and the public and private sectors.
//Petra// AJ
