Dr. Hamad Kasasbeh

The Middle East is no longer the region it was only a few years ago. Political, security, and economic transformations are reshaping investment flows, trade routes, technological development, and global value chains. In this environment, national success is measured not only by preserving stability but also by adapting quickly and building new competitive advantages.

Jordan has maintained institutional and macroeconomic stability despite a volatile regional environment. Yet real GDP growth of approximately 2.8% in 2025, alongside unemployment among Jordanians reaching 21.1% in the first quarter of 2026, demonstrates that stability alone is no longer sufficient. The challenge is to translate stability into productivity, quality investment, and sustainable employment.

This does not call for abandoning the current economic direction, but for modernising the way priorities are managed. Policy success today depends not only on crisis management but also on responsiveness, regulatory agility, and institutional adaptability.

Jordan therefore needs strategic economic resilience that goes beyond absorbing shocks. It should anticipate change, redirect resources toward higher-value activities, and continuously strengthen national competitiveness.

The country should move beyond emphasising geography and instead define its economic function within the region. Jordan can position itself as a trusted platform connecting capital, skilled talent, regional markets, and global demand for specialised services.

Jordan possesses valuable assets, including human capital, institutional stability, and ongoing economic, administrative, and digital reforms. The Economic Modernisation Vision Executive Programme (2026–2029), comprising 393 projects, provides a strong implementation platform. The next step is maximising impact through better coordination, clearer priorities, and measurable outcomes.

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are no longer standalone sectors; they are production infrastructure transforming manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education, and services. Their success should be measured by productivity and competitiveness rather than the number of digital services introduced.

Competition today is increasingly between governments as well as firms. Faster decision-making, agile regulation, and efficient implementation have become decisive competitive advantages. Building a fast economic state is therefore an economic necessity rather than an administrative preference.

The next phase does not require Jordan to redefine its objectives, but to refine the way they are achieved. Stability should become investable trust, education productive capability, technology a driver of growth, and human talent a source of high-value exports. By building a clear competitive advantage, Jordan can transform regional change into long-term economic opportunity.