Amman, July 17 (Petra)-- Minister of Investment, Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, said recent amendments to the country's citizenship- and residency-by-investment program mark a significant shift toward attracting higher-quality investments that generate tangible economic benefits, create jobs, and support balanced development across the Kingdom.

Speaking on Jordan Television's 60 Minutes program, Abu Ghazaleh said the revised regulations strengthen the economic impact of the program by raising investment requirements for applicants seeking citizenship through the Amman Stock Exchange, while introducing stronger incentives to direct investment toward the governorates and priority national sectors.

He stressed that the success of the program should be measured not by the number of citizenships or residencies granted, but by its ability to attract productive investments, generate employment, and stimulate sustainable economic growth throughout Jordan.

Since its launch in 2018, the citizenship-by-investment program has attracted more than JD1.15 billion in investments, benefiting 685 investors and creating over 21,000 jobs for Jordanians by the end of the first half of 2026, he said.

Abu Ghazaleh noted that the program's economic impact accelerated during the first half of 2026, with investment linked to the initiative exceeding JD72 million, compared with approximately JD37 million during the same period in 2025 nearly doubling year-on-year.

Employment generated by projects under the program also increased significantly, rising from 230 jobs in the first half of 2025 to 820 jobs during the same period in 2026, more than tripling and underscoring the growing contribution of these investments to job creation and economic activity.

He said the latest amendments are designed to build on these achievements by attracting investments with greater added value, creating more sustainable employment opportunities, and promoting balanced development across all governorates.

Addressing the regional development component of the reforms, Abu Ghazaleh said balanced development is a key objective of the amendments, which seek to channel a larger share of investments outside the capital.

Under the previous regulations, residency through real estate investment required the purchase of property worth at least JD200,000 from a property developer, regardless of location. Under the new rules, investors can obtain residency by purchasing property valued at a minimum of JD150,000 if it is located outside Amman Governorate.

He said the measure aims not only to stimulate the real estate sector but also to boost local economies, increase demand for related services, create employment opportunities, and enhance the ability of governorates to attract new investments, thereby promoting more balanced economic development nationwide.

Regarding investments through the Amman Stock Exchange, Abu Ghazaleh said the amendments raise the minimum investment threshold from JD1 million to JD1.5 million to maximize the economic value of investments and strengthen the contribution of this investment track to the national economy and capital market.

The revised framework also introduces new safeguards to reduce market concentration and speculative trading while encouraging long-term investment. In addition, investors are now allowed to purchase shares through any duly licensed brokerage firm, broadening investment channels while preserving market stability and integrity.

Abu Ghazaleh said the overarching objective of the amendments is to maximize the economic value of the citizenship-by-investment program by linking investment incentives to measurable economic outcomes and attracting high-quality investments that add lasting value to Jordan's economy.

//Petra// MF