Amman: Director of the Public-Private Partnerships Unit at the Ministry of Investment Hamza Hajaya said Monday that effective partnerships with the private sector can reduce project implementation timelines by up to 30 percent and cut operating costs by 10 to 20 percent in select service sectors.
According to Jordan News Agency, Hajaya made these remarks during a panel session titled "Public-Private Partnerships and Their Role in Administrative Modernization," held within the framework of the Middle East and North Africa Public Administration Research Network conference in collaboration with the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the private sector's flexibility and advanced expertise to accelerate institutional modernization efforts.
Hajaya highlighted the necessity of adopting contemporary technologies and results-oriented management approaches that enhance performance, areas where the private sector contributes significant value. He stressed that adaptable regulatory and legislative frameworks are essential for the success and sustainability of such partnerships.
In support of this, Hajaya referenced Jordan's 2023 adoption of the Public-Private Partnership Law, which has led to the advancement of over seven projects in crucial sectors including transport, water, education, and infrastructure.
He pointed out that capacity building for government administrative staff is crucial to effectively manage complex, long-term partnerships. Studies show that nearly 60 percent of failed partnership projects in the Arab world are due to limited administrative and technical capacities.
Hajaya also underscored the importance of shared governance models and defined performance indicators in improving public service efficiency. He noted that successful partnerships must balance the economic efficiency sought by the private sector with public sector values such as equity, transparency, and social accountability.
He further mentioned that these partnerships should encourage knowledge transfer, embed a culture of innovation within government institutions, and promote digital transformation, which are key pillars of administrative modernization. He cited examples of digital transformation efforts that have increased citizen satisfaction levels by over 85 percent.
Hajaya also stated that public-private partnership projects are expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, including technical, administrative, and engineering roles, supporting the development of national expertise.
In conclusion, Hajaya stressed that the future success of partnerships in the Arab world hinges on the ability to design flexible frameworks that reflect local contexts and uphold transparency, sustainability, and inclusive development. He affirmed that such partnerships are not merely secondary options, but a strategic necessity to modernize public administration and meet citizens' aspirations.