Monday, Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh affirmed the government's commitment to royal directives for the enhancement of the Kingdom, pointing out that the government works in coordination and cooperation with various state institutions, including the House of Representatives.

He indicated that the government is also working on developing a tracking and monitoring system to find out details of delays in program transactions, in order to be able to address the matter in a matter which benefits citizens and the economy.

The Prime Minister indicated that the government, in implementation of the royal directives, has taken measures that have contributed to raising the Kingdom’s hospital capacity to more than 300 percent, in conjunction with the health situation improving.

Khasawneh added that work is underway to assure the reopening of sectors, including schools.

He pointed out that the government, in implementation of its commitment to present a work program for His Majesty within 100 days, has completed an indicative implementation program that will be included in the main economic plan, stressing the importance of cooperation on it with the House of Representatives and the Senate and the partnership with the private sector.

He stressed the importance of creating the appropriate environment to attract investments, as it constitutes an essential entry point for growth and job creation.

A number of ministers gave briefings to His Majesty on the projects and programs that their ministries are working to implement.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Affairs Tawfiq Krishan indicated that the Local Administration Law was withdrawn from the House of Representatives, because there was an overlap in powers between the provincial councils and the municipal councils, indicating that there are committees that study this law in agreement with the concerned authorities to reach understandings about the new laws.

The Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ said that the budget presented by the government to parliament is realistic and protects the citizens from raising taxes, and focuses on raising financial investment by 25 percent, and raising national aid by 38 percent.

The Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat, indicated that the government is continuing with the national vaccination program against COVID-19, indicating that there are positive indications to secure over one million doses of vaccines which are set to arrive from China in the near future, in addition to the arrival of 41,000 vaccines from the COVAX coalition this week.

The Minister of Labor and Minister of State for Investment Affairs, Maan Al-Qatamin said that the ministry is working to combat the high unemployment rate by organizing the labor market more, focusing on creating job opportunities in governorates with high unemployment rates, and encouraging vocational training.

The Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ahmad Al-Hanandeh, confirmed that the ministry will complete the work on building the digital infrastructure and enabling platforms for digital transformation in government institutions.

The Justice Minister Bassam Al-Talhouni said that the ministry has taken a set of measures to enhance the use of community services as an alternative to penalties depriving freedom, in order to spare a group of people who meet the legal requirements from entering correction and rehabilitation centers, pointing to the issuance of 515 rulings that apply community service instead of arrest.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Nayef Al-Fayez, said that the government has mitigated the damage to the tourism sector as a result of the repercussions of the pandemic, by establishing a tourism risk fund, and restoring working hours to restaurants and hotels, especially with the lifting of the Friday total lockdown, with an emphasis on the need for workers and visitors to adhere to the necessary prevention measures to combat further infections.

The session was attended by the Head of the Royal Hashemite Court, and the King's Policy Adviser.

In turn, His Majesty King Abdullah II commended Khasawneh’s government on their work, adding that they are the first government in the second centennial.

His Majesty stressed the work the government has ahead of them, adding that a team-spirit is required between governmental and non-governmental institutions to enhance communications with the Kingdom’s society, noting how COVID-19 has affected all areas of the community, with an emphasis on communication.

“However, God willing, when matters begin to improve in the coming months, the success of any minister or ministry will be through communicating with the people and their presence in the field.” said King Abdullah II.

His Majesty stressed the importance of softening the blows the pandemic posed on citizens, particularly with poverty and unemployment.

“I see that there are opportunities in 2021,” said His Majesty.

The King warned that the reopening of sectors will escalate COVID-19 infections, adding that the goal is to keep the escalation of infections well within the control of the Kingdom, while stressing the need to adhere to the set health protocols.