Royal initiative launched to support 100 low-income families in Mafraq

AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Monday inaugurated the launch of a Royal initiative to empower low-income families in Mafraq. 

The initiative aims to support low-income families in the various regions of Mafraq, some 80 kilometres northeast of Amman, by enabling them to set up small income-generating production enterprises, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The initiative will finance these enterprises and provide necessary training to beneficiary families in the field of enterprise establishment and management. 

The initiative also seeks to empower and build the capacities of targeted civil society organisations, by providing them with training for partnering effectively in the initiative. 

During the launching ceremony, which took place at the Royal Court, a number of agreements were signed between the Centres for Social Development Association and 13 selected charities from Mafraq. 

The initiative targets 100 low-income families in Mafraq through the establishment of 100 small production enterprises. Following the success of these enterprises, the beneficiary charitable associations will finance other enterprises for new families.

According to revolving funds, the associations will reuse the grant to finance new enterprises in a way that expands the number of beneficiary families. 

In 2016, Mafraq Governorate launched the first financing portfolio, which saw the implementation of168 small income-generating production enterprises.

In his address, Issawi, who is also head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, said that the Royal initiatives are a “true interpretation” of His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to empower citizens and provide them with decent livelihoods.

He added that his Majesty’s vision aims at enhancing citizens’ roles in the path of sustainable development through the implementation of initiatives and enterprises according to specific development priorities, and within an integrated organisational timeframe. 

The Royal court chief noted that enhancing self-employment opportunities by supporting the establishment of private and quality enterprises contributes to alleviating poverty and unemployment.

He added that enterprises play a large role in economic empowerment, enhancing the level of productivity and raising the standard of living of local communities.

Deputising for Minister of Social Development Basma Ishaqat, Acting Secretary General of the Ministry Mohammad Sawalqa said that the Royal initiative emphasises the importance of projects directed towards self-employment of families and youth in contributing to creating an effective productive force. 

For her part, President of the Centres for Social Development Association Ferial Saleh pointed out efforts exerted to enable charitable societies to work within the financing portfolios to improve the standard of living of people with limited incomes.

A number of representatives of charitable societies expressed their appreciation for the Royal initiatives that enhance the developmental role of charitable societies in Mafraq, Petra reported.