Cabinet Approves Legislative Amendments, Investment Incentives, Water Regulation Measures

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, March 25 (Petra) – Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani outlined the key decisions made by the Cabinet during its session on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.
During a press conference at the Prime Ministry, Momani announced that the Cabinet approved the basis for a draft law amending the Real Estate Ownership Law of 2025. The law, aimed at streamlining property transactions, will be submitted to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further procedures.
The proposed amendments seek to simplify processes for citizens, particularly in cases involving joint ownership dissolution, ensuring impartiality in related committees, and facilitating the optimal use of undeveloped land. The draft law also covers regulations on expropriation, compensation, and related matters.
The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the Groundwater Monitoring System of 2025, aligning with the government's policy to regulate unlicensed wells. This measure follows a prior Cabinet session in Mafraq, where the Prime Minister underscored the need to address unlicensed wells. The regulation permits licensing of wells currently used for agricultural purposes under defined criteria. It also sets conditions for granting and revoking extraction licenses while outlining penalties for violations. The amendments aim to maintain groundwater sustainability by controlling extraction rates, ensuring proper resource management, and preventing unauthorized use. Fees for license issuance and renewal will be determined by the Water Authority of Jordan.
The Cabinet approved the grounds for a draft amendment to the 2025 Work Permit Fees for Non-Jordanians. The proposed regulation seeks to ease financial burdens on employers and encourage compliance with labor laws, thereby reducing the presence of undocumented workers. Additionally, the regulation aims to streamline work permit issuance for skilled foreign workers, fostering a structured labor market and enhancing investment prospects. The amendments will allow employers across various sectors to obtain short-term permits at specific fees for skilled foreign workers.
In a move to boost investment, the Cabinet approved a decision to lower land prices in the al-Hussein Industrial City in Karak and the Tafilah Industrial City from JD 25 per square meter to JD 10. This reduction is intended to attract investors, stimulate economic activity, and create job opportunities for local communities.
The Cabinet also granted four mining rights for phosphate extraction in treasury-owned lands in al-Shidiya and Abu Amoud al-Gharbi in Ma'an Governorate for a period of 25 years. These rights, issued under the Natural Resources Law, are subject to future amendments to ensure proper implementation, environmental rehabilitation, and fair returns to the state treasury. The benefiting entity must provide financial guarantees for land rehabilitation.
Furthering its clean energy agenda, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with China Energy International Group to invest in green hydrogen and related sectors. Jordan's strategic location and environmental advantages make it a promising hub for renewable energy projects.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved recommendations by the Settlement and Reconciliation Committee, resolving 730 tax-related cases between businesses and the Income and Sales Tax Department. The move is part of ongoing efforts to facilitate economic activity by allowing businesses to regularize their tax status and sustain operations.
The Cabinet endorsed a draft system for managing and developing government services in 2025, which will be submitted for legislative review. The initiative seeks to enhance governance, clarify roles and responsibilities, and provide efficient, citizen-centered services through digital transformation and human resource empowerment.
To improve workplace efficiency, the Caibnet approved the Official Working Hours and Flexible Working Hours Instructions for 2025. These regulations aim to extend service availability beyond standard hours, enhance productivity, and accommodate flexible work arrangements such as remote work and shift-based scheduling while ensuring accountability.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the 2025 Oversight and Compliance Instructions, which establish a regulatory framework under the Public Service and Administration Authority. This authority will monitor government departments' adherence to policies, standards, and modernization initiatives while enforcing corrective measures to address any violations. The oversight framework emphasizes independence, transparency, accountability, and the integration of digital solutions in regulatory operations.
The Cabinet also approved the Administrative Organization System of the Institute of Public Administration for 2025, aimed at refining the institute's structure to optimize performance and interdepartmental coordination.
Moreover, the Cabinet endorsed the rationale for the draft Respiratory Therapy Practice System of 2025, facilitating the licensing of respiratory therapy graduates. This draft law, based on the Public Health Law, sets licensing requirements and job descriptions for professionals in this field, addressing the growing number of graduates seeking employment in the healthcare sector.
In efforts to enhance the rule of law, the Cabinet approved the foundations for amendments to the Penal Code, prioritizing alternative sentencing mechanisms to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. The changes also propose measures for suspending penalties under specific conditions and allowing installment-based fine payments to ease financial strain on minor offenders. Additionally, amendments to the Sharia Enforcement Law of 2025 were approved, aiming to expedite Sharia ruling enforcement and enhance procedural efficiency.
As part of agreements and decisions related to financing national projects and establishing agricultural initiatives, the Cabinet approved the grant arrangements document provided by the Dutch government, amounting to €31 million, for the national water desalination and transport project (Aqaba-Amman). This decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to implement this major strategic project, which aims to desalinate 300 million cubic meters of seawater annually from the Gulf of Aqaba and develop sustainable solutions to the Kingdom's water shortage.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the Jordan Valley Authority Board of Directors' decisions to allocate land in al-Qurayqirah/Aqaba and al-Baqoura/Northern Shuna for agricultural and food security projects. Pursuant to Article 26 of the Jordan Valley Development Law, the decision allocates approximately 3,112 dunums of land in the village of al-Qurayqirah, Aqaba Governorate, to the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) and the Wadi Araba Development Company for leasing to al-Ghamr Agricultural Company to establish an agricultural project. The approval is conditional upon project implementation within three years from the date of Cabinet approval and compliance with the Delegation of Powers and Transfer of Tasks Agreement between JVA and the Wadi Araba Development Company. Non-compliance would render the approval void. Moreover, the decision includes allocating 1,358 dunums of land in the al-Baqoura area, Northern Shuna District, to the Kingdom's treasury for the benefit of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army. The land will be used for food security projects under the framework set by the Millennium Agricultural Investment Company.
In line with legislative efforts to support inclusive education for persons with disabilities, Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani announced the Cabinet's approval of the rationale for the draft Royal Academy for Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities bylaw for 2025. The draft bylaw will be submitted to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further procedures, with urgent status assigned to its issuance. This legislative initiative reflects Jordan's commitment to expanding educational opportunities for persons with disabilities, integrating them into society, and eliminating barriers to their right to education.
In the same context, the Cabinet approved a joint declaration of intent between Jordan and the Federal Republic of Germany to enhance the inclusion of children with disabilities in education. The declaration aligns with preparations for the 2025 World Disability Summit, scheduled to be held in Berlin next month under joint Jordanian-German chairmanship. It seeks to integrate children with disabilities into public schools, provide an inclusive learning environment, and raise awareness of the importance of their enrollment in the public education system.
At the international cooperation level, the Cabinet approved the completion of the necessary legal procedures for the entry into force of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Jordan and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. It also approved a Joint Statement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Jordan and Grenada.
Furthermore, the Cabinet endorsed the Development Policy Agreement to Promote Growth and Competitiveness between Jordan and the World Bank. The agreement supports national efforts to improve the business environment, strengthen competition regulations, update customs procedures, enhance the participation of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement, establish corporate governance rules, and expand access to finance through amendments to financing company regulations.

MENAFN25032025000117011021ID1109355581