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Ammon News -

Prime Minister, Bishr Khasawneh, on Wednesday evening attended a ceremony to honor former Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), Ziad Fariz, who played a key role in enhancing financial and monetary stability in the Kingdom in his tenure as CBJ Governor over the past ten years.

Speaking to the ceremony, held by Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ), Khasawneh said the government is committed and working to consolidate the CBJ independence, not only in words, but in action, and the legislative and legal procedures that ensure the enhancement of this independence, which is a necessary national demand away from any governmental interactions and priorities that may affect the required independence in the CBJ that regulates the financial affairs related to the interest of the country and the nation.

The Prime Minister lauded CBJ and the banking sector's role in providing facilities to individuals and institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He expressed his wishes that the banking sector, where possible, would grant individuals and institutions facilities on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan taking into account some of the difficult living conditions.

The Premier stressed the importance of conducting a structural review of how banks provide financing tools for small and medium-sized enterprises, as they are real drivers of the economy.

Khasawneh called on banks in Jordan to take the initiative to invest in major projects through the investment fund portal established by the ABJ.

The Prime Minister commended Fariz's great efforts, stressing that he is a national and experienced economic figure, from which generations are inspired by the good values and efficiency in financial management and monetary policy.

Khasawneh underlined that the private sector is an essential partner in the development and the economy, and it has supported the national economy in crises and challenges, the latest of which is the Covid-19 pandemic.

For his part, Fariz thanked the Prime Minister for sponsoring this honoring ceremony and thanked the ABJ for holding this ceremony, underscoring the government's support for the entire banking sector.

Fariz said that the CBJ is a main pillar in Jordan, which enjoys direct support from His Majesty the King to enhance its independence, which enabled it to take quick and decisive decisions in difficult times.

In turn, CBJ Governor, Adel Sharkas, said that Fariz in his tenure from 2012 to 2022 had managed the institution with wisdom and ability, during which the CBJ adopted balanced, studied and consistent decisions in line with global and local economic developments, ensuring support to the national economy's interests and the stability of the banking system.

ABJ Chairman, Basem Al-Salem, said that Fariz had played a key roe in consolidating monetary, financial and economic stability in the Kingdom, and was able, with his wisdom and ingenuity, to ably lead monetary policy and direct CBJ's traditional and non-traditional tools to help the national economy overcome various challenges.