Irbid, Jan. 7 (Petra) – The Irbid branch of the Development and Employment Fund (DEF) provided loans worth JD3.9 million last year, benefiting 273 borrowers and creating 495 job opportunities, according to the branch director, Issa Awawdeh.

Awawdeh told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) Tuesday that the fund’s financing aims to support governmental efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment by encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship through the establishment of small projects.

He added that the DEF offers financing for small- and medium-sized enterprises at preferential profit rates to empower local communities, enabling residents to start their own businesses, improve their living conditions, and generate job opportunities for Jordanians.

Regarding the loan eligibility criteria, Awawdeh stated that applicants must be aged between 18 and 65. Additionally, the project must be registered as a sole proprietorship with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, with the borrower authorized to sign on its behalf. The project must also be productive, economically viable, and registered along with its employees with the Social Security Corporation before the final loan disbursement.

//Petra// AF
07/01/2025 21:25:38