Amman, March 13 (Petra) -- Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing women’s empowerment across all sectors, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader approach to fostering a comprehensive societal role for women, as outlined by royal directives.

Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the ministry on Wednesday to celebrate International Women’s Day, in collaboration with the "Innovative Pathways" project aimed at supporting employment through private sector growth, Qudah explained that the government’s Economic Modernization Vision adopts a holistic and sustainable approach to enhance women’s economic involvement.

He highlighted several significant initiatives led by the ministry, such as the creation of the Women’s Empowerment Unit, the formation of a national team for supporting women-owned businesses, and the introduction of the 2024 Governance Instructions for Shareholding Companies, which mandate at least 20% female representation on company boards.

Additionally, the government has adopted a national definition for women-owned or women-managed enterprises and established policies to promote women's participation in government procurement, all part of its efforts to improve women’s economic standing.

Qudah also pointed out that 108 women-owned or women-managed businesses have been supported through the Industrial Support Fund, with plans to support at least 50 more in the near future. He also shared that the government is working on creating nurseries in industrial cities, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The session was attended by prominent businesswomen, industry and commerce representatives, officials from the German Embassy in Amman, the (I-PSD/GIZ) program, as well as key stakeholders from women’s organizations and the private sector.

Dana Al-Zoubi, the Ministry’s Secretary-General and leader of the national team for empowering women-owned businesses, presented an update on the achievements made to increase women’s participation in the economy.

Al-Zoubi noted that future initiatives will focus on providing advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses, especially concerning legal and regulatory matters, improving communication with government bodies, and increasing knowledge about the rights of shareholders and board members. She also mentioned efforts to showcase the successes of Jordanian businesswomen, create incubators within industrial zones, and build an interactive database and networking platforms to connect female entrepreneurs.

Regarding export growth and market access, Al-Zoubi emphasized initiatives to build export capacity, including launching financial support programs and raising awareness about financing options. Additionally, she pointed out that the ministry plans to support businesses in effectively integrating e-commerce into their operations.

//Petra// WH

13/03/2025 12:40:43