Amman: The Lower House opened a debate of the draft state budget bill for the fiscal year 2026 at a session Monday morning chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan and members of the government team.
According to Jordan News Agency, MP Ibrahim Tarawneh initiated the discussion by advocating for a national employment strategy with a specific timeframe. He emphasized the need for private sector incentives through exemptions conditional on employment, alongside a vocational training approach directly linked to the labor market.
MP Zuhair Khashman, representing the Centrist Parties Bloc and the Jordanian National Union, highlighted the importance of job creation for young people. He proposed that the budget should focus on increased investments and exports to achieve this goal.
Speaking on behalf of the Azm Parliamentary Bloc, MP Walid Masri urged for diversified sources of revenue to enhance fiscal sustainability. He noted the tangible progress made in deficit reduction, despite challenging circumstances.
MP Issa Nassar of the Mubadara Bloc emphasized that the budget should not be viewed merely as a collection of figures. He described it as a tool to bring financial stability, ensure social justice, and drive sustainable growth.
A notable aspect of the 2026 budget is its reliance on balanced revenue and expenditure estimates, with a limited increase seen as a strategic opportunity to readjust spending priorities. This approach aims to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and development.
MP Dima Tahboub remarked that the general budget underscores the state's economic policies. She described it as a step towards controlling the fiscal deficit within "acceptable" limits while strengthening development spending to support sustainable growth.
MP Khamis Atiyeh noted that the budget debate comes at a sensitive time, stressing the importance of ensuring equal opportunities across the board.
MP Rand Khazouz pointed out that the expenditures earmarked for mega projects in the budget reflect a comprehensive economic vision, further highlighting the forward-looking nature of the proposed financial plan.