Country Profile
From The Report: Jordan 2016
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, in a region that is often termed the Levant. Its neighbouring countries include Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, Israel and Palestine to the west and Syria to the north. In all, Jordan covers 89,342 sq km of land and shares 1635 km of land border with Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria. In the south, Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from King Abdullah II; and interviews with Prime Minister Hani Al Mulki; and Imad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Stability at the centre: Recent general election brings a return to a system of proportional representation
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, in a region that is often termed the Levant. Jordan’s neighbouring countries include Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, Israel and Palestine to the west and Syria to the north. In total, Jordan covers 89,342 sq km of land and shares 1635 km of land border with Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria. In the south, Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba. The kingdom’s topography can be…

Viewpoint

A strong partner: King Abdullah II, on the need for support and unity in the face of a global crisis
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At this critical moment in world history, we are confronted with what is arguably the worst, most tragic humanitarian crisis of our time. The Syrian conflict is entering a sixth brutal year. Its bloodshed and human suffering have continued unabated. The repercussions have been global. The crisis has challenged economic and political alliances, raised questions about existing structures of cooperation and strained the social values that keep humanity united. Traditional approaches to handling crisis…

Overview

Investing in the future: OBG talks to Prime Minister Hani Al Mulki
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Interview:Prime Minister Hani Al Mulki How will the country be utilising the financial support coming from the Jordan Investment Fund to maximise benefits for the kingdom? PRIME MINISTER HANI AL MULKI: The investment fund regulates the rights of ownership, management and development for major infrastructure projects in order to secure funding. The fund allows sovereign funds, banks, Arab and foreign sovereign wealth funds, and private investment companies to invest in the projects included…

Analysis

Drawing down: An IMF agreement is causing some debate over economic policy
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The kingdom’s latest deal with the IMF has drawn both praise and criticism, and while evidence can be marshalled for both reactions, no honest appraisal can take place without the proper context. The three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) is worth some 514m special drawing rights (SDRs), an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its members. The SDRs offered under the EFF are equivalent to $723m at current valuation rates, which could reach $900m…

Interview

Pillars of strength: OBG talks to Imad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
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Interview:Imad Fakhoury How is the ministry working with other countries to reduce the burden of the Syrian crisis on Jordan? IMAD FAKHOURY: The Syrian crisis is now in its sixth year and becoming one of the most tragic humanitarian crises since the Second World War in terms of scale and impact. It has obviously distorted Jordan’s development schemes, increased public debt and hampered the country’s sustainable development. About 89% of Syrians are living outside the camps, which puts…

Analysis

Looking abroad: Exports to Europe are set to increase as new deal sees relaxation of rules of origin stipulations
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The amount of Jordanian exports to the European market is expected to rise following a newly inked deal with the EU that relaxes the rules of origin stipulations. More relaxed rules of origin will grant preferential access to Jordanian goods containing as much as 70% non-local materials. The agreement covers 52 product groups manufactured in 18 industrial and development zones. At a press conference to announced the deal in July 2016, Imad Fakhoury, the minister of planning and international cooperation,…