Amman, July 9 (Petra) -- The Cabinet on Wednesday discussed a range of key issues, including municipal governance, economic stimulus measures, and essential health and water services. The meeting follows the dissolution of municipal and provincial councils last Sunday, part of a broader political modernization drive.

The Cabinet focused on ensuring the effective performance of municipalities across the Kingdom. Minister of Local Administration Walid Al-Masri briefed the Cabinet on the work of newly formed temporary committees, outlining their mandates and future monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

The Cabinet emphasized that these temporary committees must operate in full coordination with relevant bodies to improve municipal services, enhance governance, develop infrastructure, automate services, and complete citizen-centric projects. Continuous evaluation of the committees' work and service quality will be maintained.

Discussions also covered next steps to advance legislative reforms governing local administration, aligning with the government's commitment to modernize these laws and streamline municipal operations.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan called for intensified national dialogues on legislative development, ensuring broad participation to achieve high-quality legislation for municipal and provincial councils.

These discussions began in early June, focusing on recommendations from the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System regarding local administration, and are set to continue.

To bolster the tourism sector and stimulate economic activity, the Cabinet approved a three-year extension of the special tax exemption on airline tickets for flights departing from King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba.

This measure aims to attract more airlines and tourists to Jordan, particularly Aqaba, by reducing flight costs, thereby boosting the tourism sector's contribution to the national economy.

In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved the rationale for a draft bylaw governing the establishment, licensing, operation, and maintenance of independent electricity transmission systems.

It also covers procedures for establishing and connecting self-generation and storage stations to these systems. This move aligns with the new Public Electricity Law (No. 10 of 2025), published on May 15, 2025, and effective mid-August.

The new system is designed to encourage investment and competition in green hydrogen and other economically vital energy projects, consistent with the National Energy Strategy and the Economic Modernization Vision.

Furthermore, the Cabinet sanctioned the settlement of 672 outstanding cases between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department. This reflects the government's ongoing effort to alleviate burdens on economic activities, investors, and citizens, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the business environment.

The Cabinet approved measures for transferring land ownership in the Ma'in area to the Jordan Investment Fund, paving the way for the construction of the new Madaba Hospital.

This follows Prime Minister Hassan's announcement in March to build a new, advanced government hospital in Madaba, expected to cost an estimated 60 million dinars ($84.6 million), rising to 80 million dinars ($112.8 million) with full equipment.

Construction is slated to begin this year and conclude within four years, marking the first such public-private partnership in the sector with KPW Investment and Infrastructure Company.

Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the Medical Committees System for 2025, which aims to regulate the work of medical committees, define their levels and specializations, and establish judicial committees in the northern, central, and southern regions of the Kingdom, not just the capital.

These committees will handle disability percentages from traffic and other accidents, easing the burden on citizens.

A central appellate judicial committee will also be established in the capital to review appeals against regional judicial committee decisions, ensuring fairness.

To advance the National Water Carrier project, a strategic initiative within the Economic Modernization Vision, the Cabinet approved documents from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) of the World Bank Group.

These documents pertain to a guarantee contract and financial/legal instruments for investor companies Eurasia SAS Meridiam and SUEZ International SAS, facilitating the project's construction, operation, and maintenance.

The project aims to provide 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually, increasing supplies to all governorates.

In the realm of international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jordanian Diplomatic Institute and the Kuwaiti Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.

The MoU establishes a framework for developing cooperative activities and offering joint diplomatic training programs, workshops, and executive certificates.

This initiative seeks to enhance the expertise and skills of diplomats, provide them with support and guidance, and build knowledge in relevant fields, leveraging Jordan's leadership in diplomatic training.

//Petra// AA

09/07/2025 12:37:32