AMMAN — A total of 327 investment projects benefited from incentives and exemptions during the first half of 2026, representing expected investments of around JD711.2 million, according to the Ministry of Investment’s performance report released on Tuesday.

 

The projects, including new ventures and expansions and developments of existing operations, compare with 308 projects during the same period last year.

 

Investment facilitation transactions, including new investment decisions, exemptions, follow-ups and post-investment services, also increased to 3,801 during H1 2026 from 2,992 in the same period of 2025, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

Minister of Investment Tariq Abu Ghazaleh said the report reflects an approach based on transparency, performance measurement and clearly presenting results.

 

The ministry said that the results reflected progress under the second phase of the Economic Modernisation Vision (2026–2029), which focuses on accelerating implementation and directing investment towards value-added sectors and governorates.

 

Development zones recorded notable growth, with total investment rising 18.79 per cent from JD5.819 billion to nearly JD6.9 billion during the first half of the year.

 

Employment in the zones increased from around 117,000 to nearly 123,000 jobs, while 46 new investment projects were registered, compared with 27 in H1 2025.

 

Expected investment from the new projects rose sharply from JD60 million to JD402 million, with the projects projected to create 1,841 jobs once fully operational.

 

Jordan currently has 20 development zones hosting 1,676 active projects and companies, the ministry said.

 

The ministry said it introduced a fast-track system for building permits and occupancy approvals, reducing building permit issuance times from 7–15 business days to around four days, while site plans can now be issued within one business day.

 

The measures contributed to an increase in licensed areas within development zones from around 85,300 square metres in H1 2025 to approximately 111,600 square metres in H1 2026.

 

On the legislative front, amended Investment Environment Regulation No. 30 of 2026 was issued to simplify procedures, reduce approval times and extend incentives to project expansions, modernisation, technology integration and creative industries.

 

The ministry issued or renewed 1,690 investor and family-member cards during the period and granted six five-year residencies through real estate investments valued at JD1.38 million.

 

Jordanian citizenship was granted to 65 investors, compared with 29 in H1 2025, with approved applications representing around JD72.3 million in investments. Citizenship was also extended to 250 family members.

 

Government commissioners operating at the ministry processed more than 47,000 transactions covering residencies, visas, work permits, tax services, Civil Defence, health, food and drug regulation and company registration.

 

The number of investment opportunities listed on the “Invest in Jordan” platform rose from 44 in H1 2025 to nearly 120 by the end of H1 2026.

 

The ministry also expanded its public-private partnership portfolio from eight projects in 2025 to 11 during H1 2026, covering transport, energy, water, education, health and logistics.

 

As part of its international promotion efforts, the ministry conducted activities in China, the UK and several EU countries and held meetings with investors, companies, investment funds and financial institutions.

 

The Investment Promotion Directorate received 34 investment requests and assisted in registering six companies, representing expected investments of $97.8 million and potential employment of 2,165 people.