(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said Saturday that his government recognizes the size of challenges and impediments to the industrial sector brought upon the Kingdom by conflicts in the Middle East.
He told the presidents and board members of chambers of commerce, in the presence of ministers and industry officials, that industry was absolutely the hardest hit among all sectors due to the impact of the various wars that had gone on for a long time.
Ensour assured that the government would not target the (industrial) sector that employs around a quarter of a million Jordanians, who are the bread winners of over one million people, apart from its indirect influence on the economy and all the other sectors.
He said today's meeting embodied a true public-private partnership, adding, "We are here for one goal, and each one of us serves in his own way, but with one goal. So roles might differ, but the goals are similar."
The prime minister stressed that ignoring the conditions that have been ongoing around them is out of the question, particularly as Jordan is a small country which make the impact colossal in terms of the economy, exports, labour, aviation, tourism and security.
However, he warned that the regional turmoil should not solely be blamed on dereliction, negligence or failure, warning that it was "unacceptable" and adding that this country's success story lies in its ability to achieve more in such difficult conditions.
Citing economic indicators, Ensour said unemployment figures had risen just 0.01 percent last year, despite the influx of Syrian refugees that immensely affected the Jordanian labour market. He also said exports had increased as did imports by JD500 million despite the presence of 1.5 million Syrians and others from different nationalities € Libyans, Yemenis, Iraqis and others.
He also said that the overall deficit in the JD7 billion state budget, which included the energy sector, had been cut and currently stands at JD1.1 billion, while pointing to the rising growth.
"Although it is not at the pace we want, it is heading in an upward direction, reaching 3 percent," he said.
Ensour also referred to structural reforms in the economy and the "calculated" decision the government had taken to put the economy on the right track.
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