Amman, Nov. 10 (Petra) -- The Kingdom has broadened its employment, financing and investment initiatives over the past two years, focusing on supporting job creation in the private sector, financing small and medium-sized enterprises, and establishing productive branches across the governorates.

The efforts have also included upgrading vocational training facilities and programs, updating investment-related legislation and procedures, supporting industrial establishments to improve productivity and exports, and preparing new phases of the national strategies for exports and e-commerce.

These measures have combined policy and regulatory reforms with direct support for businesses and individuals, alongside development projects currently underway in several governorates.

Employment and Productive Branches The National Employment Program, launched by the Ministry of Labour in 2022, supported the employment of 25,660 Jordanians in the private sector between September 2024 and August 2026, including 12,948 women and 12,712 men.

Of the total beneficiaries, 19,199 were young people aged 18–29, while 3,064 were beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund and 54 were persons with disabilities.

The program provides financial support and on-the-job training for job seekers aged 18–45, with a target of reaching 89,000 beneficiaries by 2028.

The Ministry of Labour has also expanded its Productive Branches Program to provide employment opportunities closer to people's places of residence, particularly in areas with high poverty and unemployment rates. The initiative encourages industrial and investment companies to establish production facilities in these areas, offering training and wage support while connecting employers with local job seekers.

The program covers several sectors, including garments, food processing, technology, medical equipment and supplies, plastics, fish farming, and paper and cardboard industries.

The number of operational productive branches increased from 30 in September 2024 to 37 in August 2026, with a total capacity of 12,341 jobs. A total of 9,930 people were employed at these facilities.

The seven new branches were established in Mafraq, which received three, Ma'an, which received two, and Karak and Madaba, with one each. They added 1,330 jobs to the program's overall employment capacity.

Around 7,000 workers benefited from the program's support between September 2024 and August 2026, 90 percent of whom were women.

Work is underway to establish five additional branches in Ajloun, Ma'an, Balqa, Mafraq and Irbid, with an expected capacity of 1,200 jobs. Five other projects in Jerash, Zarqa, Karak, Tafileh and the Central Badia are undergoing technical assessments and administrative procedures, with an estimated capacity of 750 jobs.

Vocational and Technical Training Between September 2024 and August 2026, the Vocational Training Corporation established nine specialised vocational centers and three vocational institutes. It also upgraded the infrastructure of 18 institutes and 29 workshops serving the agricultural, industrial and tourism sectors.

During the same period, 48 training programs were introduced or upgraded, bringing the total number of programs to 126, according to the corporation's reports.

A total of 17,638 trainees received training under 98 agreements linking vocational training with employment opportunities.

The Partnerships for Development Project, which connects vocational training with employment opportunities abroad, supported the employment of 167 people, including 110 in Saudi Arabia and 57 in Germany.

The Jordanian-Italian Training and Rehabilitation Center was also inaugurated in Naour to provide training in accordance with Italian standards in several fields, including construction, occupational safety and health.

The corporation plans to expand training in digital transformation and renewable energy and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to provide direct training and employment opportunities.

Project Financing The Development and Employment Fund provided approximately JD39.8 million in financing to individuals and companies between September 2024 and August 2026.

During this period, 3,661 enterprises were established or upgraded, generating 6,114 jobs across the governorates, including 2,575 opportunities for women.

Under its program supporting women's self-employment, the fund financed 310 projects, creating 627 jobs for women.

Its entrepreneurship financing program supported 147 projects, generating 1,090 jobs, while its program for establishing and developing industrial, craft, service and commercial businesses financed 1,295 projects, creating 2,679 jobs. The fund's strategic plan aims to reach tens of thousands of beneficiaries by 2031.

Investment and Business Environment Over the past two years, Jordan has continued implementing reforms aimed at improving the investment environment and facilitating business activities for local and foreign investors.

The measures have focused on updating investment legislation, simplifying procedures for conducting economic activities, and developing and digitising investment services. Efforts have also included improving investment incentives and facilities to help reduce investment and production costs.

Foreign direct investment inflows reached approximately USD2,024.8 million in 2025, compared with USD1,618.8 million in 2024, representing an increase of 25.1 percent.

On the legislative front, the amended Investment Environment Regulation No. 30 of 2026 was issued to update the regulatory framework, simplify procedures and improve services provided to investors.

Instructions on granting licences to practise economic activities in development and free zones for 2026, under the compliance-based approach, were also issued. The measures allow investors to begin operating more quickly through simplified licensing procedures, while compliance is subsequently verified through regulatory oversight.

Jordan also approved and began implementing a National Action Plan to improve its performance in the Business Ready (B-READY) Index. The plan includes measures to improve the business environment, develop regulatory and administrative procedures, and enhance services provided to the private sector.

//Petra// WH