National competitiveness council holds second meeting

AMMAN — The National Council on Competitiveness and Innovation held it second meeting at the Prime Ministry on Saturday to discuss required reforms to propel the economy’s competiveness. 

The council focused on the reform measures to be carried out to improve the business environment, in implementation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives. 

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, who chaired the meeting, said the council is convening to bring about tangible change in the economic activity in the Kingdom.

He said the council has been reactivated to concentrate further on improving the business environment and find ways to increase economic activity in various sectors. 

The council, comprising more than 18 entities representing the private sector, is looking at the country’s economic activity and its competiveness as a whole, and not looking at the competitiveness of each sector on its own, the premier noted. 

Discussions addressed reform measures introduced to improve the business environment in terms of streamlining procedures.

The council’s role is in line with the Jordan Vision 2025 — the 10-year plan of economic and social policies endorsed at the various decision-making levels.

According to Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury, the council on Saturday reviewed speedy measures that can be implemented to improve Jordan’s ranking in international competitiveness indexes.

Fakhouri said cluster teams affiliated with the council have been formed in accordance with the Jordan Vision 2025.

As of Sunday the teams will start implementing the main recommendations in the blueprint related to the economic clusters that are the main drivers of competitive growth, Fakhoury added.