Amman, July 15 (Petra) -- Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abul Samen on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the construction and contracting sector, calling it a vital pillar of the national economy and a key driver of growth and employment.
During a meeting at the ministry headquarters, which was attended by the president of the Jordanian Construction Contractors Association (JCCA), Fouad Al-Duwairi, Member of Parliament Ayman Abu Haniyeh, and contractor Ahmad Al-Tarawneh, Abul Samen stressed that collaborative partnerships between government agencies and civil society organizations, led by the contractors' association, are essential to executing strategic projects efficiently and meeting public expectations.
The meeting focused on addressing current challenges facing the contracting and construction industries and streamlining coordination to sustain development in this critical sector.
The discussions also covered government tenders, with officials emphasizing the need to execute projects according to the highest technical specifications and within set timelines. Participants highlighted the construction sector's role as a major creator of local jobs and its responsibility in developing the infrastructure and facilities that drive investment and link various economic sectors.
To advance digital transformation and reduce bureaucracy, the meeting reviewed updates to the "Building" digital platform. The online portal aims to simplify procedures and enhance electronic connectivity between the ministry, the contractors' association, and other relevant entities to better organize work within the private sector.
The officials also reviewed the progress of the contractors' association's tender database and discussed ways to update it to protect national companies from financial distress, ensuring their continued contribution to the gross domestic product.
In addition, the meeting addressed mechanisms to coordinate the issuance of circulars and guidelines to contracting companies, ensuring a unified reference point and faster communication between the ministry and the association.
Regarding outstanding financial dues owed to contractors, Abul Samen said the ministry is continuing to disburse payments based on priority and available cash flows. This approach, he added, is aimed at ensuring project continuity, easing the financial burden on contracting firms, and maintaining liquidity in the local market, which supports numerous auxiliary industries.
The participants also discussed regulations from the Jordan National Building Council concerning contract certification, reviewing proposals to update these rules to match rapid changes in the construction sector while maintaining high safety and engineering standards.
For his part, Al-Duwairi praised the ministry's responsiveness to the concerns of contractors. He emphasized the importance of involving the association in drafting laws and regulations to secure a balanced investment environment that protects the rights of all parties.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to maintain open channels of communication and activate joint technical committees to regularly evaluate developments in the construction sector.
//Petra// AF
