Amman, Oct. 1 (Petra) – The Cabinet, during its Wednesday session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved a series of economic, legislative, and development-related decisions.
The Cabinet decided to consider the cost of treated and reclaimed water from the South Amman Wastewater Treatment Plant, owed by the Cooperative Societies Coalition in the Central Badia, as government support for the coalition. The coalition utilizes this water for cultivating fodder, such as alfalfa, in projects that have generated employment opportunities for local residents and promoted sustainable development. The decision aims to encourage continued fodder production for livestock breeders, expand agricultural activity, and combat desertification.
Agricultural projects in the Central Badia, which began with 8,000 dunams, have already expanded to 20,000 dunams, employing residents exclusively from the region.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 408 pending cases between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department, in accordance with the recommendations of the settlement committee and relevant legislation. The decision supports business owners and investors in rectifying their tax status, alleviating burdens, and sustaining economic activities.
The Cabinet also approved tax settlements between taxpayers and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority for the year 2022, requiring concerned taxpayers to pay outstanding amounts within two months to benefit from the settlement. The move seeks to stimulate economic activity in the zone and facilitate compliance.
Within the framework of strengthening integrity and modernizing the public sector, the Cabinet endorsed a draft law amending the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Law of 2025, in preparation for submission to the Lower House of Parliament. The amendments aim to enhance integrity standards, strengthen prevention and risk assessment, recover illicit funds in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and align provisions with the Judicial Independence Law. They also grant Integrity and Anti-Corruption Council members financial rights equal to cassation judges.
The Cabinet further approved the 2025 Public Sector Employee Secondment Instructions, designed to channel opportunities into rare specializations and professional programs. The instructions emphasize fairness, equal opportunities, clear governance, and knowledge transfer, while linking scholarship periods to subsequent service requirements.
On service improvement projects, the Cabinet approved a €47 million financing agreement with the German government/KfW to develop new water resources in the Hasban area, including treatment and desalination to provide 15 million cubic meters of water annually.
It also approved a €25 million financing agreement with the European Union for the second phase of the Education for All program, aimed at improving access to high-quality education, particularly in peripheral areas.
In the field of international cooperation, the Cabinet endorsed the grounds for a draft law ratifying the 2025 Extradition of Persons Agreement with Uzbekistan, following His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent visit. The agreement seeks to enhance cooperation in combating crime and upholding justice while respecting sovereignty and human rights.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a joint statement establishing diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and both the Republic of Togo and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, within the framework of expanding cooperation and exchanges.
//Petra// AJ
