Ammon News -

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Wednesday approved several key decisions aimed at advancing digital transformation, supporting economic activities, enhancing international cooperation, and preserving Jordan’s architectural heritage.

The Cabinet endorsed a decision by the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) approving an agreement with Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions Company to manage, operate, and develop a digital truck control and monitoring system.

Under the agreement, Maqta Ayla will establish a digital platform to modernize operations at Aqaba’s port facilities. The system will integrate customs, port operations, shipping lines, clearance companies, and other stakeholders, enabling seamless data exchange and improving the efficiency of maritime and logistics services.

These measures are expected to accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, reduce operational costs, improve transparency, and facilitate digital tracking of logistics processes. The initiative aims to position Aqaba as a regional hub for smart and modern port services, strengthening its competitiveness under the Economic Modernization Vision.

Among the planned services is a truck control project to regulate the entry and exit of vehicles into the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The system will digitize permits, monitor truck movements, ease congestion, enhance road safety, and enable better oversight of freight operations.

The Cabinet directed coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure system compatibility with Jordan’s digital government infrastructure.

In measures to alleviate economic burdens, the Cabinet approved allowing companies benefiting from the Temporary Employment Support Program in the Digital and Entrepreneurial Sector (Hafiz) to repay debts owed for 2023 over five years in monthly installments. The government has already covered JD1.9 million in Social Security contributions under the Hafiz program, which supports the hiring of approximately 600 youth in IT roles across government service centers and private sector enterprises.

The program, which subsidizes up to 50 percent of salaries for new hires, aligns with national objectives to digitize services, foster digital skills, and stimulate private sector growth.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 696 pending tax cases between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, as part of efforts to improve the business climate, enhance tax compliance, and facilitate legal regularization.

On public administration modernization, the Cabinet endorsed the rationale for a draft Administrative Organization System for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025, paving the way for submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The draft seeks to streamline organizational structures, reduce task duplication, enhance governance, and boost public sector efficiency in line with ongoing administrative reforms.

Regarding international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on social development with Lebanon, aimed at sharing expertise in development and social welfare fields. It also approved an agreement with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion, fostering investment and trade ties. Petra