Investment commission tells investors it is working on cutting red tape

AMMAN — The Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) is working with official agencies on delegating authority to their representatives at the commission’s “investment window”, JIC President Montaser Oqlah said Wednesday.

At a meeting with local and Arab investors, Oqlah promised further facilitations for investors and their employees concerning residence and visas, as well as issuing and renewing investor cards, which allow them further freedom of movement. 

He added that Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour is “following up closely” with the JIC on the commitment of concerned officials to the outcomes of a recent meeting, where they pledged a “quick response” to the issues raised. 

Ensour on Monday met with the ministerial economic development committee and stakeholders representing ministries and institutions concerned with investment to discuss facilitating procedures for investors and cutting red tape. 

Oqlah added that the ministers of environment and health have granted representatives of their ministries at the investment window the authority to immediately approve and process all documents that meet conditions, including permits and licences. 

“We are fully aware that Jordan’s stability will be difficult to sustain if economic conditions do not improve,” he said, adding that creating job opportunities for Jordanians, increasing exports and bringing in foreign currency are the core aims of attracting investments.

Meanwhile, Oqlah noted that the existing investment projects are the base for attracting more investments, highlighting an increase in investments by non-Jordanians in Jordan.

He noted that Jordan has so far reached only 30 per cent of the volume of investments it seeks to attract.

Society of East Amman Industrial Investors Chairman Iyad Abu Haltam called for allowing Syrian investors to employ trained Syrian workers, even for a limited duration of time, as long as they train Jordanian workers as well. 

He also suggested providing incentives for factories outside development zones, similar to tax exemptions for factories inside these zones, in order to encourage the establishment of new investments or the expansion of existing projects.

Investors attending the meeting said they face delays at the Aqaba container terminal as well as “unnecessary routine procedures” at the Jordan Customs Department.

They also called for facilitations for issuing investor cards, especially for those with projects under construction.