Dr. Hamad Kasasbeh

On the eightieth Independence Day, we remember a dear national occasion and reflect on the meaning of a state that builds its own decision, protects its dignity, and opens the way for its people. Jordan’s independence was achieved through the efforts of Jordanians and under the Hashemite leadership, which worked with dedication to strengthen the independence of the state, build its institutions, and protect its standing. Independence was never just a passing day in history. It was the beginning of a long project to build a country capable of resilience and progress.

Despite limited resources and a difficult regional environment, Jordan has been able to build a stable state, strong institutions, and a society that can adapt to crises. This is a major achievement that deserves pride. Yet the next stage requires turning this resilience into broader economic capacity, based on production, competitiveness, and opportunity creation. This is where economic independence appears. It does not mean isolation from the world, but building an economy that engages with the world with confidence, imports what it needs, and produces, exports, and innovates at the same time.

In the coming stage, Jordan needs an economy that is more dynamic and more able to turn stability into production and opportunity. Young people need real work. The state needs sustainable resources. The economy needs a wider productive base. Therefore, what is needed is clearer priorities and a stronger focus on sectors that create value added and jobs.

This transformation begins with a simple and important question: how do we turn what we have into higher value? Jordan has its people, and they are its most important resource. But this potential can only appear fully through education that is close to market needs, training that leads to needed skills, and job opportunities that protect dignity and open a path for progress. Economic independence begins with the dignity of work and with the ability of young people to take part in production and shape the future.

Jordan also has a private sector capable of initiative and a stable banking system. These are two important strengths if they are directed toward production. Investment needs a clear and trusted environment. Financing becomes more effective when it goes to projects that manufacture, export, use technology, or help promising small companies expand. The closer investment and financing move toward productive sectors, the greater their impact on growth and employment.

There can be no economic independence without a stronger productive base. Countries do not become stronger only by what they consume, but by what they produce, develop, and sell to the world. Jordan therefore needs deeper industry, more modern agriculture, high-value services, and wider exports. Economic independence also means, at its core, expanding domestic resources and gradually reducing reliance on loans and aid through production, exports, and more efficient investment.

Economic independence is a national project in which many roles meet: clear policies, serious investment, productive financing, universities that provide young people with future skills, and a society that values work, production, and innovation. Looking ahead, Jordan should not only seek higher growth. It should also build productive security that limits points of weakness before crises occur and strengthens national capacity in food, energy, industry, digital services, and human skills.

On Independence Day, we have every right to be proud of what has been achieved. But nations also move forward through their ability to renew their project. Jordan’s project in the next stage can be to build an economy that does not only withstand crises, but creates capacity; an economy that turns limited resources into higher value, young people into productive energy, and stability into a force for growth. This requires continuous development in planning and economic implementation tools, strengthening the link between decisions and production, investment and employment, and financing and value added.

On this dear national occasion, we remember with great respect the souls of the nation’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Jordan, its independence, and its dignity. We extend our highest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, and to the united Jordanian family on Independence Day. May our beloved Jordan, the Hashemite leadership, and all Jordanians be well every year.