Latest news with #PrimeMinistry
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordan: Government launches review of local administration Laws in Line with reform agenda
AMMAN — The government said on Thursday that it has initiated a series of meetings this month to review and advance legislation related to local administration, in line with the Royal Letter of Designation and the policy statement of Prime Minister Jafar Hassan's Cabinet. The Subcommittee on Local Administration, part of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System, convened to review recommendations outlined in the political modernisation blueprint. The discussions aim to ensure coherence with the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap and the Economic Modernisation Vision, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry. The committee would continue its meetings over the coming period to consider proposals and gather feedback aimed at strengthening the legislative framework governing local administration, the statement said. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Cabinet meeting reviews key directions for 2026 Finance Law and State Budget
Tunis – A Cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister Sara Zaafrani Zenzri, to review the main outlines of the 2026 Finance Law and State Budget. In her opening remarks, the Prime Minister emphasised that the 2026 Finance Law must embody a strategic vision, serving as a tool to implement public policies under the state's economic and social programme. This programme aims to balance economic growth and social justice, aligning with the 2026-2030 Development Plan, which will reflect the will of the people. According to a statement from the Prime Ministry, she stressed that national choices are the only way to meet people's expectations, particularly by revising a number of laws relating to taxation and social justice, and by reopening public sector recruitment to address unemployment. The Prime Minister underscored the need for a new approach in drafting the 2026 Finance Law, one that moves beyond temporary fixes and half-measures. Instead, it should reflect the state's vision which consists in strengthening the foundations of the social state, while ensuring fiscal justice and social equity, boosting purchasing power, balancing economic growth with social justice and increasing the rate of economic growth by stimulating investment and establishing an appropriate social and economic framework for the construction and building phase. She also highlighted that all state's economic policies must adhere to core principles, including preserving national sovereignty and independent decision-making, self-reliance. At the same time, the state must remain open to Tunisia's regional and international environment in order to support and consolidate national decisions regarding the social role of the state and the promotion of local, regional, and territorial development, she was quoted as saying in the same statement. The Cabinet meeting outlined the following priorities for the 2026 budget: - Strengthening the Social State through expanding support for vulnerable and low-income groups, while promoting economic empowerment mechanisms that benefit these groups in particular, in order to improve living conditions. - Developing the state's own resources by pursuing a policy of self-reliance, reducing tax evasion, integrating the informal economy, and diversifying sources of state budget financing, in line with a new vision. - Promoting employment, improving living standards and strengthening the social protection system, while valuing human capital. This can be achieved by developing social policies to promote social justice, adopting measures to maintain the purchasing power of vulnerable and middle-income groups and providing greater social support for vulnerable groups, as well as guidance and support for business start-ups. - Implementing measures to improve income, strengthen economic and social integration mechanisms, create jobs, provide decent working conditions, eliminate precarious employment, facilitate access to housing, strengthen social cohesion, improve all public services and develop the social security and coverage system. - Promoting investment within the framework of a comprehensive approach based on liberalising entrepreneurship and improving the business climate so that public investment drives private investment and raises the pace of economic growth. - Investing in regional development programmes based on constitutional principles will drive development in the regions. This approach will contribute to the formulation of regional priorities, starting with programme and project proposals at the local council level and progressing through the regional and district councils to the national level. On this basis, the development plan for the 2026–30 period will be prepared. Development-related expenditure is a key lever for stimulating economic growth and attracting private investment, particularly at regional and district levels. - Accelerating interconnectivity and making the digital transformation of the administration a tool for modernising the administration, ensuring transparency, facilitating transactions and opening up prospects for supporting the digital economy. During the Cabinet meeting, it was emphasised that this draft is based on a set of principles aimed at strengthening the pillars of the social state, maintaining financial balance, and improving the efficiency of public performance in various sectors. The most important basic principles include simplifying procedures for Tunisians abroad, supporting the financing of start-ups and communitarian enterprises and financing companies active in the green, blue and circular economy sectors.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: In bid to boost investment, Cabinet announces incentives at Tafileh Industrial Estate
The Cabinet approves a package of investment incentives for the Tafileh Industrial Estate aimed at attracting businesses and creating job opportunities for local residents(Petra photo) - Incentives include free electricity for 3 years, land price cuts - Cabinet unveils set of service, development projects in Tafileh - Projects include environmental park, justice palace, public-private agricultural venture to empower youth, create Jobs AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani on Monday announced a series of Cabinet decisions taken during its session held in Tafileh Governorate, as part of the government's decentralisation and development drive. At a press conference following the meeting, Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, said that the Cabinet approved a package of investment incentives for the Tafileh Industrial Estate aimed at attracting businesses and creating job opportunities for local residents, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Momani said that the incentives include a full exemption from electricity tariffs for new investors whose projects are registered or established within one year of the decision. "Eligible investors will receive free electricity for three years from the start of operations," he added. "Land prices in the estate were slashed by 50 per cent, with the cost per square metre reduced to JD5, down from JD10 and previously as high as JD25, to encourage investment and reduce production costs." Momani also announced that the Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Justice with launching design and study tenders for the new Palace of Justice in Tafileh, with implementation scheduled to begin next year. As part of the government's environmental and tourism efforts, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Aabel Environmental Park, which will include service facilities at a total cost of JD660,000. The Cabinet also approved the temporary leasing of the Al Tuwana Agricultural Station, located in Jurf Al-Darawish and spanning 224 dunums, to the Jordanian Engineers Association for five years, renewable upon approval. The lease is part of a public-private partnership project aimed at introducing modern agricultural technologies, boosting high-value crop production, and creating over 50 permanent jobs, in addition to seasonal employment opportunities. The project aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision, particularly in empowering young agricultural professionals. To support the freight transport sector, the Council of Ministers endorsed a decision allowing the import of truck heads manufactured less than eight years before the clearance year, provided that an older registered vehicle is scrapped or re-exported. The move aims to reduce operational costs, enhance competitiveness, and ensure sustainability under the 'Quality of Life' pillar of the Economic Modernisation Vision, the statement said. Addressing long-standing contractor dues, the Cabinet approved procedures to settle municipal tender claims estimated at JD50 million, with payments scheduled for June. Contractors will be allowed to borrow up to JD50 million collectively from local banks, backed by government-issued guarantees. The total outstanding municipal debts to contractors currently stand at JD70 million. Additionally, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to implement the road leading to the Yarmouk Forest Eco-Lodge in Bani Kinanah District, Irbid Governorate, and allocate the necessary funding. The project aims to support local communities, generate job opportunities, and promote eco-tourism. As part of international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian government to enhance cooperation in the health sector through knowledge exchange and mutual benefit. Momani opened the press conference by congratulating Jordanians on the 79th Independence Day, expressing national pride and unity on the occasion. He noted that the Tafileh session was the eighth Cabinet meeting held outside the capital and reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing all announced projects, with funding allocated in the general budget. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Al-Majali Sworn In Before Prime Minister - Jordan News
Al-Majali Sworn In Before Prime Minister Shadi Al-Majali, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, was sworn in before Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Tuesday, following the Royal Decree endorsing the Cabinet's decision to appoint him. اضافة اعلان The swearing-in ceremony was conducted in accordance with Article 13 of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Law No. (32) of 2000. The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Abdullah Al-Adwan and Secretary General of the Prime Ministry Abdul Latif Al-Najdawi. —(Petra)
Ammon
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
How Strategic Messaging Boosted Hassan's Ratings
Ammon News - Earlier this May, the Centre for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan published the results of a public opinion poll on the performance of the Jafar Hassan government after 200 days. The poll indicated that the Jordan citizens and public elites view the government's performance favourably, believe it is well-equipped to lead Jordan to the next stage, and have skillfully navigated current geopolitical crises. These results were published as the Hassan government was facing challenging and ambiguous geopolitical and international realities. In the region, the onslaught on Gaza continues, Syria consistently has rapid developments on a significant magnitude, and Trump's executive orders and statements have shifted public policies on tariffs, sanctions, aid, and security. Accounting for all these factors, the question of whether the high ratings Hassan has received, the highest since 2011, are due to positive development in aspects of Jordanian life, or other factors. I argue that academic works, such as Weinberg (2024), can help shed some light on one of the reasons for this success: a successful public communication approach. In this article, I take the Instagram account of the Prime Ministry in its first week as a sample for analysis of the strategy followed by the PM's public communication team, examining commonalities and methods used to drive 'authentic trust' and appeal to the masses. While the timeframe is limited, it offers a useful snapshot of the government's communication approach. The first aspect of building authentic trust is regular outreach, which I will asses through post frequency. In the sample under review, the Prime Ministry's account posted 13 posts, nearly twice a day. Most importantly about these posts: each post was unique, and they emphasised the content, instead electing to choosing the most 'catchy' soundbites. As an example, on September 22nd, the account posted two videos from the same speech tackling one subject. However, each video had a separate identity: one on the role of the government, the other on consulting public opinion, and these differences were reflected in their respective thumbnails. In comparison, within the first week of the Khasawneh government, the same Instagram account posted seven videos in the span of three days, with all 7 videos having the same formulation, and being direct videos from the PM's remarks to parliament. The second aspect of gaining public trust is message framing. The posts within the period did not intend to serve as an outline of the technical details or share the political jargon common in speeches. Instead, the posts emphasised content that appeals to the public, with the first post's caption being:Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan chaired the first Cabinet meeting after taking the constitutional oath, telling his ministers: 'You must understand that every hour of work is a duty you owe to the nation, so do not fall short—not even for a minute.' Hassan also announced during the session that Cabinet meetings will be held once a month in the governorates. (Jordan [@primeministryjordan], 2024) The rest of the posts in the sample tackle three main themes often considered as the main concerns among Jordanians: national economic reform, economic growth in the governorates, and genuine awareness. The first two, although tackled by the previous government through publicising the Economic Modernisation Vision, were more directly addressed by the posts in question, through highlighting directives on accelerated completion of economic projects, and healthcare service expansion in governorates. The third theme, and perhaps the most interesting, is not being disconnected, which is the most common complaint about political classes and political elites. This theme is addressed through posts documenting field visits. Legitimacy of posting on field visits is solidified through the third aspect, often the most overlooked, visual messaging. The underlying message of these visits, that the PM is close to the people and listens directly to them, is conveyed by framing him as an active listener in these posts. In contrast, media covering the PM position as head of government, whether addressing his cabinet, meeting foreign dignitaries, or making statements in parliament, always frame him as the dominant speaker. The culmination of these three aspects in creating authentic trust explains, in effect, the record-breaking approval ratings for the current government, even though there is some overlap in membership between the current and previous government, economic indicators are yet to show improvement, and the region is at low levels of stability. Although political commentators argue that economic performance is trending upwards and that the regional instability helped Hassan achieve these numbers, I argue that the public affairs strategy, which I showcased a sample of in this article, plays a relatively larger part in garnering this authentic trust.
