Irbid, Sept. 18 (Petra) -- In a push to strengthen local entrepreneurship and tackle unemployment, the Development and Employment Fund in Irbid has issued JD 2.3 million in financing since the beginning of the year, supporting 170 small-scale projects and generating 292 job opportunities, according to Irbid Branch Director Issa Awawdeh.

Awawdeh told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the Fund's mission aligns with national efforts to reduce poverty and joblessness by encouraging youth to take initiative through self-employment and the launch of income-generating ventures.

He emphasized that the Fund focuses on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through preferential profit-rate financing, recognizing their role in driving economic resilience, especially in underserved governorates.

Special attention is given to productive and economically viable projects, Awawdeh noted, as part of a broader strategy to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on traditional employment paths.

Regarding loan eligibility, he explained that applicants must be between 18 and 65 years old, have their business registered as a sole proprietorship with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, and be authorized to sign on its behalf. Additionally, both the project and its employees must be enrolled in social security before the final loan installment is released.

//Petra//WH