Amman, Nov. 11 (Petra) – The Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday referred the draft general budget law for the fiscal year 2025 to its Finance Committee, which will begin discussions with ministries, government units, and institutions before submitting recommendations to the House for debate.
The session, chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and members of the Cabinet, followed the presentation of the state budget by Minister of Finance Abdul Hakim Shibli.
During the session, lawmakers made several observations on the draft law and raised demands aimed at easing citizens’ burdens. They noted that the 2026 budget projects a decline in the fiscal deficit compared with 2025, indicating stronger fiscal discipline and more efficient management of public resources. They also highlighted signs of recovery in productive sectors such as industry, tourism, and services.
MPs welcomed the increase in capital expenditures, describing it as a step that will support infrastructure development, job creation, and equitable growth across provinces. However, they pointed to ongoing weaknesses in the budget, including high public debt, reliance on indirect taxes, and the limited impact of public spending on daily life.
They underscored the need for reforms in education, healthcare, and transportation, calling for sustainable investments in projects that generate long-term economic and social returns. Lawmakers also urged the government to curb public waste, rationalize spending, and promote investment through the Economic Modernization Plan. "The income of Jordanians is eroding, and taxes are draining," some MPs said, stressing that citizens’ livelihoods, rising prices, unemployment, and the deficit remain their top concerns.
On the decline in foreign aid, MPs said it should be seen as an opportunity to depend more on national resources, youth potential, infrastructure, and natural wealth. They also called for raising the salaries of active and retired civilian and military personnel.
Presenting the draft budget, Shibli said gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at a real rate of 2.9 percent and a nominal rate of 5.4 percent in 2026, with inflation projected to remain moderate at 2 percent.
He noted that global economic uncertainty has intensified due to strained trade relations, protectionist measures, and geopolitical tensions, with the International Monetary Fund expecting global growth to slow to 3.2 percent.
Shibli added that domestic revenues will cover approximately 89 percent of current expenditures, while the budget deficit after grants is estimated at JD 2.125 billion, and the net deficit for all government units is estimated at JD 671 million.
It is worth noting that the Cabinet approved the draft budget law on November 5, 2025, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, paving the way for its submission to Parliament.
//Petra// AJ
