Amman, July 15 (Petra) -- Jordan's decision to amend its residency and citizenship criteria for foreign investors is a strategic step toward decentralizing capital and distributing economic benefits to the country’s regions, economic and development analysts said.

The government's decision to link citizenship to the scale and location of investments aims to attract productive ventures that foster sustainable development, generate employment, and encourage the transfer of knowledge and expertise.

Analysts told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the changes demonstrate Jordan's commitment to enhancing its business environment and drawing high-value investments to the national economy.

The amendments send a strong signal of confidence to local and foreign investors that Jordan is pursuing serious economic reforms to build a stable, welcoming investment climate, which in turn will generate job opportunities for Jordanians.

This move marks a shift in Jordan's investment philosophy, moving away from a primary focus on capital accumulation toward linking incentives directly to job creation, sustainability, and tangible economic impact in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

Hani Abu Hassan, chairman of the Irbid Chamber of Industry, welcomed the cabinet's decision, describing it as a crucial step in boosting Jordan’s capacity to attract quality investments that offer genuine value.

"Linking citizenship to investment volume and job creation for Jordanians proves that the objective is not just about bringing in capital but attracting productive projects that drive sustainable growth," Abu Hassan said.

He noted that offering special incentives for the Amra City project reflects a strategic push toward major developmental initiatives capable of generating long-term economic benefits. These projects are expected to stimulate the industrial sector, supply chains, and auxiliary services.

Abu Hassan added that the success of these policies relies on continuously improving business competitiveness and extending incentives across all governorates to achieve balanced economic development and elevate the private sector's role in economic growth.

"We view these decisions as a message of confidence to both local and foreign investors that Jordan is committed to serious economic reforms and maintaining a stable, encouraging investment environment," he said.

Fares Hammoudeh, chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Industry, said the revised rules will significantly upgrade the kingdom’s investment ecosystem and make it more attractive to foreign investors, particularly from Arab nations, while encouraging joint ventures with local businesses.

Hammoudeh explained that the new framework requires investors to inject capital directly into Jordanian companies and fund partnerships with local firms through the Amman Stock Exchange, without mortgaging, lending, or borrowing against these shares.

The new rules target investments in areas outside the capital, Amman, ensuring sustainable employment for Jordanian youth and accelerating the development of the new Amra City, which is expected to bring substantial value to various productive sectors, Hammoudeh said. He added that the changes provide investors with multiple pathways to obtain citizenship, securing long-term foreign investment and streamlining administrative processes.

Development expert Mohammad Al-Farajat said the amendments represent a qualitative shift in Jordan’s investment strategy by tying incentives to real economic impact, sustainability, and employment.

He noted that the policy goes beyond adjusting financial thresholds, actively redirecting investment toward regional provinces and productive sectors. By easing investment and hiring requirements outside Amman, the decision aims to reshape the kingdom’s investment map in a more equitable and balanced manner.

Al-Farajat emphasized that the policy's significance lies in fostering long-term commitment by discouraging short-term speculation. By linking citizenship to the continuity of the investment and job preservation over several years, the government ensures that citizenship is a reward for genuine economic contribution rather than transient capital. Furthermore, consolidating investor services under the Ministry of Investment will streamline procedures and boost efficiency, he said.

Looking ahead, Al-Farajat called for the creation of smart investment maps for each governorate to identify high-priority opportunities based on their competitive advantages. Tying these new incentives to infrastructure, logistics, and vocational training will translate the policy changes into productive enterprises, sustainable jobs, and balanced regional growth, easing pressure on the capital.

Hussein Shreim, chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce, said the success of directing investment to the provinces hinges on upgrading regional infrastructure and logistics, enhancing the digital business environment, and cutting bureaucratic red tape.

Shreim added that the strict requirements of the decision ensure that foreign investments do not become shell entities, but instead deliver tangible improvements to the lives of citizens across governorates, noting that Jordanian citizenship remains a highly valued sovereign and moral incentive.

//Petra// AF