Amman, Jan 31 (Petra) – The year 2026 is "pivotal" in economic development in Jordan, given that it was designated as the year of strategic projects in water, energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors, according to economic experts.

Such ventures, they said, will help raise growth rates through stimulating aggregate demand, expanding the productive base, and injecting direct and indirect job opportunities, particularly in sectors related to supply chains and support services.

They pointed out that improving infrastructure quality and public services will positively impact an attractive investment environment, adding that these trends align with the economic modernization vision, which aims to raise growth rates through investments estimated at about JD41 billion, with the private sector leading nearly 72 percent of the total.

They said 2026 is the year of "strategic projects and developmental construction," representing a continuation of the economic modernization system in its various aspects and strategic pillars.

"The focus on strategic energy projects and energy security is crucial and a top priority due to the impact of energy on all economic sectors, which will significantly contribute to Jordan's stability," said Abdul Rahim Al-Buqai, Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company Board Chairman.

He pointed to transformations the energy sector in the Kingdom will see this year, including a gas sales agreement with Syria via the Arab Gas Pipeline from the port of Aqaba, which will soon see further upgrade.

He also cited the Risha gas projects, including its transport, storage, and development of gas fields to meet domestic needs, with positive indicators in this area, which will contribute to reducing costs across many sectors.

Al-Buqai also said the developmental aspects of the National Water Carrier project are no less important than its benefits in achieving energy and water security, as are the economically and developmentally significant gas projects, which will form the backbone for supporting industry and industrial exports.

Economist and former CEO of the Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation Board Ali Madadha pointed out that fiscal and monetary policies are the drivers of economic activity, whether in goods or services, through their instruments and the economic cycle of boom or recession.

He said the economic modernization vision for the years 2026 to 2029 rests on three main pillars, from which several implementation axes branch out and are strongly focused during that period. These pillars are: economic growth, achieved by stimulating productive sectors in industry, smart agriculture, food security, tourism, mining, the digital economy, and technological services, human empowerment, achieved by aligning technical education with youth employment and improving productivity, and sustainability and governance, achieved through financial sustainability through keeping public debt in check, improving government spending efficiency, promoting green transformation and renewable energy, managing water resources, improving governance, and advancing digital transformation in government.

These fundamental pillars, Madadha said, are essential to achieve sustainable growth of about 5 to 6 percent annually, contingent upon actual, not targeted, investment, said Madadha.

He stressed directing fiscal and monetary policy tools, coupled with comprehensive administrative efficiency in both public and private sectors, towards investment spending to enhance overall productivity in the economy.

Dr. Raed Masa’deh Bani Yassin, former Dean of the Faculty of Business at the University of Jordan and Professor of Management Information Systems, stressed that leveraging digital transformation and innovation is one of the key drivers of sustainable growth, especially when systematically integrated into mega strategic projects.

Digital transformation, he pointed out, is a qualitative leap in planning, implementation, and management methods, raising performance efficiency, boosting productivity, and reducing costs.

Through adopting digital solutions, such as automation, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and e-commerce, the quality of services can be improved, procedures expedited, and transparency and governance enhanced, he added.

Innovation contributes to transforming projects from traditional models into dynamic platforms capable of adapting to economic and technological changes, which helps create new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs to offer innovative solutions,
said Yassin.

He atressed that investing in digital infrastructure, developing digital skills, and supporting the innovation ecosystem are essential for transforming strategic projects into effective tools to achieve comprehensive and sustainable growth, with a direct impact on both the economy and people.

Dr. Mohammed Khataybeh, Professor of International Finance at the Faculty of Business at the University of Jordan, said he views 2026 as a turning point in the trajectory of major strategic projects in the region.

These trends align with the economic modernization vision, which aims to create about one million additional jobs by 2033, and raise growth rates through total investments estimated at around JD41 billion, with the private sector leading nearly 72 percent of this, he said.

Khataybeh said infrastructure projects are the cornerstone of this path. The National Water Carrier Project, with a capacity of up to 300 million cubic meters annually and a length of approximately 438 kilometers, not only addresses a structural water deficit, but also creates significant demand for supporting industries and services, backed by a renewable energy system of about 281 megawatts. The National Railway Project, with an investment of nearly $2.3 billion, also contributes to reducing transportation costs, enhancing the competitiveness of the mining and logistics sectors, and connecting them to regional markets, he pointed out.

Ruba Abu Shahab, Associate Professor in the Economics Department at Al-Balqa Applied University, said 2026 is a pivotal stage in Jordan's economic development trajectory, given its designation as the Year of Strategic Projects, considered a key tool for supporting growth and stimulating the national economy.

She explained that the importance of such projects lies in their ability to address chronic structural imbalances, particularly in the water, energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors, which constitute essential inputs for production and investment.

//Petra//SS



31/01/2026 15:39:16