Jordanian PM affirms importance of economic and social council's role

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said the Economic and Social Council plays a key role in providing advice and consultation to the government on economic and social issues.
Ensour made the remarks during a visit to the Council’s office where he met with its president and members in the presence of the ministers of industry and trade, labor, tourism and antiquities, planning and international cooperation and the state minister for media affairs.
He said that the Council, which enjoys credibility, has been making a major contribution at this stage as the government plans to draft "Jordan 2025," a comprehensive social and economic blueprint for the Kingdom, and prepare the state's general budget.
"The government is aware that no one can predict what will happen, mainly in the Middle East," he said, adding that this vision will be flexible and will take into account all possibilities.
On the general budget, the prime minister said the Cabinet has not yet discussed the budget’s major aspects, noting that it is time to listen to the views of the Economic and Social Council on the budget as well as its evaluation of the economy this year and last year.
Ensour pointed to the positive indicators from Jordan's economy, noting that reserves of the Central Bank of Jordan rose from JD6 billion to JD14-15 billion and inflation dropped from five percent to three percent.
The prime minister also spoke about legislation to regulate political reforms including the draft laws on decentralization, municipalities and political parties in addition to economic legislation presented to the Lower House of parliament, such as the draft investment law.
President of the Economic and Social Council Muther al Share' outlined studies being conducted by the Council on unemployment, labour protests, child labour and others.