2024
Jordan in the Global cybersecurity index (GCI)
Fact Sheet
7/11/2024
The Jordanian Economic Forum issued a fact sheet titled “Jordan in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI),” highlighting that the Kingdom has, for the first time, ranked within the top tier (T1 – Role-modelling) and at the highest global level (a score of 95-100) in the Cybersecurity Index for 2024. Jordan achieved a significant leap, advancing 44 positions to secure the 27th place globally with a score of 98.6%, compared to its previous ranking of 71st in 2020 with a score of 71%.
In terms of sub-indicators, Jordan achieved perfect results in three of these criteria, with a full score of 100% (20 points) in the global cybersecurity performance index. These criteria are: Legal Measures, Cooperation, and Capacity Building
Raising the minimum wage in the Jordan
Position Paper
5/11/2024
The decision to raise the minimum wage in the Kingdom was described as a necessary step to improve the living standards of low-income groups. It was emphasized, in this position paper, that balanced measures should be taken, noting that while this increase could contribute to enhancing social justice and reducing the income gap, it may also put additional pressure on companies with limited resources
In light of this, the forum recommended offering targeted incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises to help them adapt to the decision to raise the minimum wage. This would contribute to job protection and mitigate any potential negative impact on employment rates
Unemployment in Jordan, according to Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision
Fact Sheet
5/10/2024
The Jordan Economic Forum issued a fact sheet on unemployment rates and job opportunities, highlighting a decrease in unemployment as a sign of the economy’s ability to meet the goals of the economic reform programs. The report indicated that unemployment dropped to 22% in 2023, compared to 24.1% in 2021, and further declined to 21.4% by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
The forum indicated that these results represent an important step towards achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. They also reflect the resilience of the Jordanian economy in facing regional and international challenges, such as global economic disruptions and political fluctuations in the region.
Jordan in the Digital Competitiveness Index
Fact Sheet
18/08/2024
In the paper titled “Indicators of Digital Competitiveness,” the forum called on all relevant stakeholders to focus on developing digital capabilities and fostering digital innovation as key pillars for driving sustainable development and enhancing competitiveness both locally and globally. The forum emphasized the need for comprehensive support programs for Jordanian institutions to encourage the adoption of digitalization in their production and service processes.
Regarding the key findings of the 2023 index, the United States ranked first in the overall index, while Jordan was ranked 50th globally.
The development of strategic relations between Jordan and the European Union
Policy Paper
04/08/2024
The Jordan Economic Forum has issued a new policy paper highlighting the development of economic, trade, and investment relations between Jordan and the European Union. The paper emphasizes the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen relations with various global economies through the signing of free or preferential trade agreements. It underscores that such steps aim to open global markets to national industries and enhance the ability to meet the country’s diverse goods requirements.
Prospects of Jordan-Oman Relations
Fact Sheet
23/05/2024
The forum issued a fact sheet on the prospects of Jordan-Oman relations to highlight the economic and trade aspects between the two countries. This came in conjunction with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s visit to Jordan. The Jordan Economic Forum considers the visit of His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman, to the Kingdom to be a highly significant event, carrying broad prospects for enhancing economic and investment relations between the two countries. The visit comes at a critical time for the region, where regional and international developments necessitate deeper coordination between Jordan and Oman, covering issues of mutual interest.
Economics of Smoking in Jordan
Policy Paper
24/4/2024
Launched by Her Highness Princess Ghida Talal, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center, a policy paper addressing “Economics of Smoking in Jordan” at the Jordan Economic Forum. This paper comes in response to the urgent need to develop comprehensive strategies to address the health and economic challenges posed by smoking. It also reflects the forum’s commitment to supporting public policies aimed at reducing the economic burdens due to smoking, focusing on the economic impact of smoking on health resources and productivity in the country.
Jordan-Kuwait Economic Relations
Fact Sheet
23/04/2024
The Jordan Economic Forum launched a fact sheet on Jordan-Kuwait economic relations on the occasion of Sheikh Mishal Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s visit to the Kingdom, where the trade volume between the two countries reached 179.2 million dinars in 2023, with Kuwaiti investments in Jordan amounting to 14.2 billion dinars, and 360 Kuwaiti companies registered in Jordan. Jordan is a prominent educational center for Kuwaiti students, with approximately 4500 Kuwaiti students currently studying in Jordanian universities, and about 64,000 Jordanian citizens contributing to public and private life in Kuwait, reflecting the close relations between the two countries.
Jordan-Iraq Electric Line: A Step Towards Regional Economic Integration
Fact Sheet
02/04/2024
The forum launched a fact sheet on the Jordan-Iraq electric linkage project (Al-Risha Al-Qaim), implemented by the Jordan National Electricity Company and the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, as part of the economic integration projects aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. The primary goal of this strategic initiative is to achieve electrical stability and meet the electrical energy needs of the Iraqi side from the Jordanian network, which suffers from a gap in electricity production causing frequent power outages, especially in summer.
Imposing a Commission on Instant Payment System “Click” Services
Position Paper
05/03/2024
The Jordan Economic Forum launches a position paper on “the decision to study imposing a commission on services of the instant payment system ‘Cliq'” to highlight the importance of the service for users and the potential impacts of imposing the commission on services. The paper included a survey that covered 93 members of the forum, specialists and business leaders in the public and private sectors. The results showed that 48 percent of the participants would refuse to deal in money transfer operations through the “Click” system if a commission were imposed on its services, while 50 percent of the members stated that their decision to continue using the “Cliq” payment system would depend on the value or percentage of the commission imposed.
Industrial Performance Index
Policy Paper
17/01/2024
The Jordan Economic Forum launched a policy paper on the Industrial Performance Competitive Index for 2022, attended by His Excellency the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yousuf Al-Shamali, titled “Competitiveness of Manufacturing Industries in Jordan,” in cooperation with the Amman Chamber of Industry, and supported by the Bank of Jordan. The paper detailed the industrial performance of Jordan, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing industries in the country.
