The Cabinet, in its session held today, Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, decided to approve the grounds for the Tourism Law for the year 2023, paving the way to send it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete the issuance procedures according to the rules - designated as “urgent”.

The proposed amendments aim to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector and improve the business environment to increase investments in this sector. This is achieved by abolishing the licensing requirement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as a regulatory tool for practicing tourism activities and professions, replacing it with a classification system.

According to the proposed amendments, other regulatory tools such as registration and declaration will be used to keep pace with the developments in the tourism industry by offering and practicing tourism activities and reservations electronically to facilitate the start of businesses. This aligns with the principles and general guidelines outlined in the document of general policies on reforming the system of sectoral business licenses approved by the Cabinet, aiming to establish best practices in regulating economic activities in the tourism sector.

The amendments also serve the purpose of developing sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism available to everyone, increasing the number of tourists from abroad and locals, and preparing tourist sites and routes that are suitable for all categories, including seniors, children, persons with disabilities, and others.

The proposed amendments also include defining the tasks of the ministry, the National Tourism Council, and the Tourism Committee, and forming the council and the committee in a way that achieves participation between the public and private sectors and empowers women and youth.

Additionally, it establishes a framework for protecting tourists by introducing provisions in line with international regulations and guidelines in this regard, addressing the challenges facing the tourism sector, and protecting and preserving tourist sites through the establishment of a fund/financial account for this purpose.

The Cabinet also decided to approve the grounds for the amended draft of the Jordanian National Building codes for the year 2023. The aim is to include the possibility of issuing penalty instructions for violations committed in reconstruction projects, proportionate to their severity, stating the description and value of the violation, and reviewing the amendment of the regulations as needed. Some modifications to the law have been made in light of changes in some designations of members of the Jordanian National Building Council.

The Cabinet also approved the grounds for the amended draft of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law for the year 2023. The goal is to reorganize the mechanism of utilizing renewable energy sources in line with the requirements of the electricity grid and the advanced status of renewable energy in the Kingdom. It also aims to achieve legislative harmony with the provisions of the Energy and Minerals Sector Regulation Law.

The proposed amendments aim to define the tasks of the Energy and Minerals Sector Regulatory Authority in licensing renewable energy projects, determining the mechanisms for connecting electric power generated from renewable energy sources to the transmission network or distribution networks in the Kingdom, and specifying the mechanisms for regulating the sale and purchase of this electric power. They also define the actions according to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law and impose appropriate penalties.

The Cabinet also decided to approve the grounds for the amended draft of the Mandatory Employment of Jordanian Labor in Projects Implemented in its Governorate Law for the year 2023. The aim is to expand the scope of beneficiaries of engineers and labor, Jordanians from technicians and workers in projects, and unify the salaries of labor in projects. In addition, it establishes the conditions for employment to achieve the intended benefit of the system.

In another context, the Cabinet decided to disburse a lump sum as a winter assistance, added to the monthly assistance provided to poor and needy families benefiting from the programs of the National Aid Fund, totaling more than 220,000 families. The total cost exceeds JOD 4.1 million from the financial allocations earmarked within the budget of the Ministry of Social Development for the year 2023.