Amman, Aug. 4 (Petra) -- Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abul Samen on Tuesday inaugurated the 14th Jordan Construction Forum, organized by the Jordanian Construction Contractors Association (JCCA), alongside the opening of the 19th International Exhibition for Building Technology and Engineering Industries (Jordan Build 2026) at the Jordan International Exhibition Center (JIEC) at Mecca Mall in Amman.

The opening ceremony was attended by official Arab and foreign delegations, diplomats, government officials, and representatives of the public and private sectors, reflecting the forum's growing regional and international standing as a platform for knowledge exchange and investment promotion in the construction industry.

Abul Samen said the forum provides an important platform for experts, policymakers, and public- and private-sector representatives to exchange expertise and showcase the latest technologies and innovations in construction, thereby strengthening regional cooperation and supporting the sector's development.

He described the construction sector as one of the pillars of Jordan's economy, highlighting its role in promoting sustainable development, creating jobs, attracting investment, and enhancing infrastructure. He stressed the need to keep pace with global advances in modern construction, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and green building to improve the sector's efficiency and competitiveness.

The minister said the Ministry of Public Works and Housing remains committed to strengthening partnerships with the Contractors Association and other national institutions by updating legislation and regulations, supporting innovation, and raising quality and safety standards in line with international best practices.

He also commended the JCCA, the organizers, sponsors, speakers, and participants for hosting the event, expressing hope that its discussions would produce practical recommendations to advance the construction sector at both the national and regional levels.

JCCA President Fouad Al-Duwairi said the forum has evolved into a strategic platform for shaping the future of the construction sector in Jordan and the wider region, rather than serving merely as an annual event.

He said the next phase requires bold decisions, stronger public-private partnerships, accelerated digital transformation, and the adoption of advanced artificial intelligence and sustainable construction technologies to enhance the competitiveness of Jordanian companies in regional and international markets.

Al-Duwairi noted that the contracting sector is one of the country's largest economic drivers, generating direct and indirect employment while supporting dozens of related industries and services. He added that strengthening the capabilities of Jordanian contractors, investing in human capital and modern technology, and expanding access to foreign markets remain key priorities for the association.

He said the association has continued in recent years to improve the legislative environment, strengthen the position of Jordanian contractors, enhance workforce skills, and expand cooperation with national and international institutions, contributing to higher project quality and increased competitiveness.

According to Al-Duwairi, this year's forum focuses on strategic issues including legislation, construction technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green building, reconstruction, vocational training, arbitration and dispute resolution, and public-private partnerships, with the aim of developing a comprehensive vision for the sector.

He also highlighted construction waste recycling as a promising national initiative, saying Jordan could recycle construction debris for reuse while exporting its expertise in the field through Jordanian contractors to neighboring countries. Such efforts, he said, would support the circular economy, promote sustainability, and create new investment opportunities.

Al-Duwairi called on the Ministry of Local Administration, the Greater Amman Municipality, and municipalities across the Kingdom to establish dedicated sites for receiving, sorting, processing, and recycling construction waste. He noted that international experience has demonstrated the environmental and economic benefits of such projects, including reducing illegal dumping, conserving natural resources, lowering construction costs, and supplying recycled materials for roads and infrastructure.

The forum features specialized sessions on the future of construction and technology, modern building methods, green construction, rehabilitation and structural safety, the circular economy and reconstruction, artificial intelligence applications in engineering and contracting, mining, vocational training and professional regulation, and the role of the Contractors Association in advancing the sector.

On the sidelines of the forum, Abul Samen also inaugurated the 19th Jordan Build 2026 Exhibition, which features broad participation from local, regional, and international companies.

//Petra// AF