Amman, March 4 (Petra) – The Cabinet approved in a Wednesday session a package of measures to address the repercussions of ongoing regional tensions and their anticipated impact on global fuel prices and supply.

The steps aim to safeguard energy and electricity security and ensure the continuity of supply chains.

Measures to safeguard energy and supply chains The Cabinet decided to suspend, for one month starting March 5, 2026, the implementation of a 1978 decision restricting the import of containerised goods to the Port of Aqaba, allowing shipments to enter through Jordan's land border crossings.

The move is intended to facilitate the timely arrival of urgent goods until regional conditions stabilise. It approved exemptions from customs duties and taxes resulting from increased maritime shipping costs.

The exemptions, which apply to all sea freight imports, including general and special sales taxes, will remain in effect for six months beginning March 5, 2026. The measures are designed to stabilise commodity prices and prevent global price fluctuations from affecting the local market.

The Cabinet authorised the Jordanian Logistics Company for Oil Facilities to import diesel and fuel oil for the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).

NEPCO would be permitted to use part of the government's strategic diesel reserves to ensure uninterrupted electricity generation during emergencies, provided that withdrawn quantities are replenished.

NEPCO's diesel and fuel oil imports for this purpose would be exempt from all duties and taxes, including customs fees, special taxes, import stamp fees and other applicable charges.

Supporting investment and job creation To promote investment and create employment opportunities, the Cabinet approved support for connecting electricity to an industrial complex in the Qatraneh area of Karak Governorate, conditional upon the hiring of 2,000 Jordanian employees over three years.

Under the decision, NEPCO would build a new electricity substation in Qatraneh at an estimated cost of JD6.5 million. The cost would be repaid in installments over 15 years by Jinsheng International Ceramics Company, which must commit to employing 2,000 full-time Jordanians within three years.

The move aligns with broader government efforts to attract and expand investment in the governorates. During a recent Cabinet session held in Karak, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan called for supporting the expansion, noting that the Ministry of Labour would provide necessary training and ensure appropriate working conditions.

Settlement of government arrears As part of a policy to clear longstanding financial obligations, the Cabinet approved the payment of JD70 million owed by the Ministry of Health to pharmaceutical companies for 2024.

This brings the total amount settled in recent weeks to approximately JD357 million.

Previously approved payments include JD42 million to printing presses for textbooks and curricula, JD60 million owed by ministries and public institutions to electricity distribution companies, JD10 million owed by the Water Authority, and JD25 million owed by the Yarmouk Water Company, both to electricity distributors.

The package includes JD100 million for public universities, settlement of JD40 million in debt for King Abdullah University Hospital and JD10 million for University of Jordan Hospital.

According to final 2025 financial data published earlier this week by the Ministry of Finance, the government paid JD620 million in accumulated arrears during 2024–2025 and expects total repayments to reach JD920 million by the end of 2026.

Incentives for Aqaba To stimulate economic activity and streamline procedures in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the Cabinet approved a set of incentives aligned with the Economic Modernisation Vision.

The incentives exempt companies from the JD1,000 initial registration fee and reduce registration fees per economic activity from JD500 to JD300. A 25 percent reduction in fees for business practice certificates for unregistered establishments was approved, with previously paid amounts to be credited in 2026.

The Cabinet introduced measures to resolve outstanding debts between the Authority and taxpayers and to regularise the status of tourist camps in Wadi Rum and tourist diving villages.

Tourist camps would be exempt from 2025 rental fees if prior balances are settled, either in full or through installments with a 25 percent down payment.

Camps obtaining the internationally recognised "Green Key" environmental certification would receive a 100 percent exemption from rental and licensing fees for 2024 and 2025.

The incentives would remain in effect until December 31, 2026.

The Cabinet approved the allocation of two land plots to establish a Civil Defence centre serving nearby villages and tourist camps and a security centre serving Wadi Rum and Al-Disah.

Traffic safety incentives As part of efforts to enhance road safety, the Cabinet approved the 2026 Traffic Safety Improvement and Driver Incentives Bylaw following amendments by the Legislation and Opinion Bureau.

The bylaw grants drivers a 25% discount on vehicle registration renewal fees if they maintain a clean driving record for one year from the date of vehicle registration.

Drivers who pay traffic fines within 60 days would receive a 30% discount.

However, serious violations including reckless driving, running red lights, causing accidents, fleeing accident scenes, tampering with license plates and violations resulting in death or permanent disability are excluded from the discounts due to their severity.

//Petra// AK