His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed the importance of enhancing the investment environment in Jordan as an important requirement for economic growth and job creation.

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace to follow up on the implementation of the Investment Ministry’s action plan, King Abdullah highlighted the need to continue to develop and facilitate procedures for investors, and to enhance integration between the relevant ministries and institutions.

His Majesty called for enhancing communication with investors inside and outside Jordan, and briefing them on investment opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said attracting and facilitating investment is a top priority for the government, noting that the new investment environment law has allowed for the increase in the volume of investments.

Investment Minister Khuloud Saqqaf said the ministry will soon launch an online portal that will include comprehensive information on all available investment opportunities in priority sectors.

Minister Saqqaf noted that the ministry’s action plan focuses on quality and excellence as two major pillars for investment in Jordan, adding that implementation will take place in parallel to regular updates in numbers and studies related to promoting investment opportunities.

The investment volume in Jordan has increased in the first quarter of this year by 49 per cent, compared to the same period last year, according to Saqqaf.

She said investment regulations have been revamped, noting that the ministry has finished working on the first phase of automating procedures, an interactive investment map, a study of available investment opportunities, and a strategy for investment promotion, all as part of the ministry’s plan.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Public Sector Modernisation Nasser Shraideh, and Planning Minister Zeina Toukan attended the meeting.