Amman, July 9 (Petra) – Minister of Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh on
Thursday said recent amendments to the Investment Environment
Regulation Bylaw have reduced licensing procedures in development and
free zones, allowing complete applications for construction licenses
and occupancy permits to be processed within up to 72 hours.

The minister made the remarks during the ministry’s periodic
coordination meeting with development zone developers for the second
quarter of 2026, which reviewed operational updates, regulatory
amendments, developer performance evaluation results, and success
stories.

Abu Ghazaleh described the recent regulatory amendments as a major
shift aimed at improving the business environment through simplifying
procedures, reengineering workflows, and reducing the time required
to obtain approvals and permits. He said the amendments introduced a
fast-track mechanism, for the first time among regulatory
authorities, for issuing construction licenses and occupancy permits
inside development and free zones, enabling fully compliant
applications to be completed within 72 hours.

The minister said the measure was made possible through the
restructuring of procedures and the reduction of multiple committees
and approval channels, which would help curb bureaucracy, improve
regulatory efficiency, and accelerate the transition of investment
projects from approval to implementation. He added that the amended
bylaw introduced licensing based on compliance, allowing investors to
begin operations under a self-compliance approach followed by
post-licensing oversight.

The minister said the new approach reflects a shift toward greater
regulatory flexibility and efficiency while maintaining legal
compliance and ensuring an attractive investment environment.

Abu Ghazaleh said the ministry is continuing efforts to support and
empower development zones, strengthen coordination with developers,
improve investment performance, enhance investor services, and boost
competitiveness in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

He noted that the reforms would enhance the competitiveness of
development and free zones by creating a faster, more flexible, and
efficient business climate, strengthening Jordan’s investment appeal
and improving its standing in international competitiveness
indicators.

Abu Ghazaleh urged development and free zone developers to expand
their community role through stronger engagement with local
communities, effective partnerships, and enhanced communication with
media outlets to showcase achievements, initiatives, and success
stories.

The ministry also reviewed the second-quarter performance evaluation
results of development and free zone developers as part of its
institutional approach to performance measurement, transparency, and
continuous improvement.

The meeting included a presentation by the King Hussein Business Park
on its “Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Development” initiative, which
was presented as a model for integrating environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) principles into the development and management of
development zones.

The initiative includes corporate social responsibility programs
targeting youth, supporting sustainable development, and reinforcing
the economic and developmental role of development zones in serving
local communities.

The meetings are held regularly as part of the ministry’s follow-up
on the performance of development and free zones, addressing
challenges and opportunities, and using feedback to improve the
investment environment and services provided to investors.

//Petra// AO