Amman: Minister of Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh announced on Thursday that recent amendments to the Investment Environment Regulation Bylaw have significantly streamlined the licensing procedures in development and free zones, enabling complete applications for construction licenses and occupancy permits to be processed within a mere 72 hours.
According to Jordan News Agency, the minister made these remarks during the ministry's periodic coordination meeting with development zone developers for the second quarter of 2026. The meeting focused on reviewing operational updates, regulatory amendments, developer performance evaluation results, and success stories.
Abu Ghazaleh highlighted the regulatory amendments as a pivotal shift aimed at enhancing the business environment by simplifying procedures, reengineering workflows, and reducing the time required for approvals and permits. The amendments introduced a fast-track mechanism for issuing construction licenses and occupancy permits inside development and free zones, allowing fully compliant applications to be completed within 72 hours for the first time among regulatory authorities.
The minister explained that this measure was achieved through the restructuring of procedures and the reduction of multiple committees and approval channels, aimed at curbing bureaucracy, improving regulatory efficiency, and accelerating the transition of investment projects from approval to implementation. Furthermore, the amended bylaw introduced licensing based on compliance, enabling investors to commence operations under a self-compliance approach, followed by post-licensing oversight.
Abu Ghazaleh emphasized that the new approach signifies a move toward greater regulatory flexibility and efficiency while maintaining legal compliance and ensuring an attractive investment environment. The ministry continues its efforts to support and empower development zones, enhance coordination with developers, improve investment performance, enhance investor services, and boost competitiveness in alignment with the Economic Modernization Vision.
He noted that these reforms would enhance the competitiveness of development and free zones by creating a faster, more flexible, and efficient business climate, strengthening Jordan's investment appeal, and improving its standing in international competitiveness indicators. Abu Ghazaleh encouraged development and free zone developers to expand their community role through stronger engagement with local communities, effective partnerships, and enhanced communication with media outlets to showcase achievements, initiatives, and success stories.
The ministry also reviewed the second-quarter performance evaluation results of development and free zone developers as part of its institutional approach to performance measurement, transparency, and continuous improvement. The meeting featured a presentation by the King Hussein Business Park on its "Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Development" initiative, which serves as a model for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the development and management of development zones.
The initiative includes corporate social responsibility programs targeting youth, supporting sustainable development, and reinforcing the economic and developmental role of development zones in serving local communities. These meetings are regularly held as part of the ministry's follow-up on the performance of development and free zones, addressing challenges and opportunities, and using feedback to improve the investment environment and services offered to investors.