Jordan’s Parliamentary Financial Committee approves 2025 budget draft
Jordan’s Parliamentary Financial Committee approved the draft General Budget Law and Government Units’ Budgets for the fiscal year 2025, according to the committee’s chairman, MP Nimer Al-Sleihat.
Al-Sleihat stated that the committee will submit its recommendations to Parliament for discussion and voting during a scheduled session. He also confirmed that the committee will monitor the implementation of its recommendations through quarterly reports submitted by the government to Parliament.
The committee concluded its review of the budgets for all ministries, institutions, and government entities on Wednesday.
Comprehensive Budget Review
During a press conference, Al-Sleihat emphasized the committee’s thorough examination of budget details, focusing on their impact on public services, the investment climate, poverty and unemployment rates, inflation, and overall economic growth.
He highlighted that, since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jordan’s budget planning has evolved to prioritize allocations that address citizens’ living standards. While acknowledging that the allocations may not fully meet expectations, he noted that they play a vital role in supporting strategic subsidies for wheat, barley, and gas, as well as funding job training programs for graduates in sectors such as information technology and agriculture. These programs are offered through institutions like the Vocational Training Corporation.
Key Recommendations and Adjustments
The committee issued several recommendations for the 2025 budget, including a proposed reduction in expenditures by JOD 40 million—JOD 20 million from the general budget and JOD 20 million from government units. The committee suggested reallocating these funds to increase salaries for public employees and retirees.
Chairman’s Address
In his remarks, Al-Sleihat expressed gratitude to King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Al Hussein for their leadership and continuous support. He also thanked Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al-Safadi, parliamentary members, and the General Secretariat for their contributions throughout the budget discussions.
Al-Sleihat underscored that the 2025 budget reflects a departure from traditional approaches, prioritizing financial flexibility to address citizens’ needs and alleviate economic pressures. He noted that provisions in the budget include subsidies for essential commodities, fee exemptions, and incentives for key economic sectors.
He emphasized that the committee’s recommendations were based on detailed analysis and designed to balance fiscal constraints with the broader public interest.
Furthermore, Al-Sleihat stressed the importance of engaging the private sector to boost economic performance, urging the government to adopt strategies that stimulate growth and improve service delivery.
Concluding his address, Al-Sleihat thanked the media for providing extensive coverage of the committee’s work, acknowledging their role in highlighting the significance of budgetary decisions and their impact on the country’s economic outlook.
