Jordan Cabinet Approves USD13 Billion Budget for 2019

Image used for illustrative purpose. A general view of Amman city shows the turrets of the "Jordan Gate" project. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Image used for illustrative purpose. A general view of Amman city shows the turrets of the "Jordan Gate" project. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
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Jordan Cabinet Approves USD13 Billion Budget for 2019

Image used for illustrative purpose. A general view of Amman city shows the turrets of the "Jordan Gate" project. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Image used for illustrative purpose. A general view of Amman city shows the turrets of the "Jordan Gate" project. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Jordan’s cabinet approved a JOD9.25 billion (USD13 billion) budget for 2019 as part of a reform of public finances to ease the country’s record debt burden and spur economic growth hit by conflict in the region.

The budget, which will be sent to parliament for approval, envisaged a deficit equal to 2 percent of Jordan’s gross domestic product.

The main features of the draft law indicate that the general revenues were estimated at USD12.14 billion with USD11.29 billion as domestic revenues and USD850 million dinars as foreign grants.

Spending of 2019 was estimated at USD13.04 billion, a rise of USD616 million compared to the current year.

The current expenditure increase was 3.3 percent compared to 2018 in what was attributed to normal growth in expenditure related to the annual increase in the salaries of public employees, the increase in allocations of the National Aid Fund, and an upgrade in the share of the healthcare system.

The deficit in the 2019 budget amounted to USD910 million after grants, constituting 2 percent of GDP, down from USD1.15 billion in the re-estimated value for 2018 at 2.7 percent of GDP.

The draft law estimated an increase in financial solvency indicators for the coming year’s budget coverage for public expenditures from 80.1 percent re-estimated value in 2018 to 86.5 percent in 2019. The draft budget law saw a rise in domestic revenues to cover 100 percent of current expenditure, up from 90.8 percent re-estimated value this year.

Jordan's public finances are under strain and the government is struggling to curb a public debt of more than USD37 billion, equivalent to 96 percent of GDP.



Foreign Start-ups Double in Saudi Market

Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
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Foreign Start-ups Double in Saudi Market

Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups

The number of foreign start‑ups holding Saudi Arabia’s “Riyadi” entrepreneurship license has more than doubled to 550 by mid‑2025, up 118 % from the same period a year earlier, the Investment Ministry said.

The Riyadi permit lets overseas founders launch and scale technology and innovation‑focused companies in the kingdom. Officials say the surge reflects a government push to position Saudi Arabia as the Gulf’s start‑up hub by easing market entry and offering flexible regulation.

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) has meanwhile issued 364 licenses for business incubators and accelerators, helping international entrepreneurs develop prototypes, find mentors and connect with investors.

Flagship tech gatherings such as Biban and LEAP in Riyadh – along with Saudi delegations to global events including Web Summit, VivaTech and Slush – have burnished the kingdom’s credentials as a magnet for venture capital and talent, the ministry said.

The momentum comes as Riyadh chases the economic‑diversification goals of its Vision 2030 plan. The government is targeting $100 billion a year in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2030.

Overall investment licensing jumped 67.7 % last year. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia issued 4,615 licenses, up 59.9 % year on year.

Net FDI inflows moderated to 16.0 billion riyals ($4.27 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, 24 % lower than a year earlier but 37 % higher than the previous quarter’s 11.7 billion riyals ($3.12 billion), according to General Authority for Statistics data.

Saudi officials say the Riyadi license is integral to diversifying the economy, fostering innovation and embedding an entrepreneurial culture.