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Economic Messages of the King

"Real development is that which citizens feel in their livelihoods, opportunities, education, healthcare, and the future of their children." With this statement, the economic messages conveyed in His Majesty King Abdullah II's Royal Address, delivered at the opening of the third ordinary session of the Twentieth Parliament, can be understood. The speech went beyond reaffirming the continuation of economic modernization, setting forth for the government and state institutions a set of priorities that should shape the trajectory and outcomes of the national economy, placing the citizen at the heart of the development process and as the measure of its success.

Thus, the first economic message centered on redirecting the concept of development toward the citizen. His Majesty emphasized that "the Jordanian's interest must be at the core of every decision, not at its margins." This approach carries significant economic implications, indicating that the success of economic policies should not be measured solely by GDP growth rates, but rather by how this growth translates into real incomes, employment and production opportunities, and living standards. Growth that fails to generate sufficient economic opportunities or improve citizens' welfare remains limited in impact from the perspective of comprehensive development.

The second message concerns major projects, where His Majesty called on the government to accelerate the implementation of strategic projects aimed at bolstering and strengthening the national economy. This call raises a fundamental economic question: How can we ensure these projects become genuine engines of growth? The answer lies not only in the speed of execution, but in the ability of these projects to expand the economy's productive capacity, generate local added value, create jobs, and stimulate related economic activities. Therefore, projects should be evaluated based on their economic and social returns, not merely on expenditure levels or completion percentages. A successful strategic project is one that adds new productive capacity and leaves a lasting impact on the national economy.

The third message focuses on water security, to which His Majesty gave clear emphasis by stating: "Water, water, water." This emphasis reflects the strategic importance of water in Jordan's economy. Water security is no longer merely a service or environmental issue, but a fundamental determinant of productive and investment capacity. Limited water resources constrain agricultural and industrial expansion, increase production costs, and restrict the growth potential of certain sectors. From this perspective, investing in water security projects, improving usage efficiency, reducing losses, and developing sustainable resource management solutions constitutes an investment in economic security and in the rights of future generations.

The fourth message lies in entrenching accountability and the rule of law as two foundational pillars for the success of economic policies and for enhancing institutional trust. His Majesty affirmed that Parliament serves as a monitor of government performance and guardian of public interest, stressing that "no one who misuses their position will be immune, regardless of who they are," and that the rule of law supersedes all considerations. This message carries important economic dimensions, as institutional efficiency, integrity in public administration, and accountability for decisions and outcomes are essential prerequisites for establishing a stable and attractive economic environment for investment. Hence, the focus must shift from oversight of procedures and expenditures to oversight of results and impacts, using measurable performance indicators and defined timelines that allow for the assessment of policy and project effectiveness.

The King's economic messages in the Throne Address provide a clear benchmark for the success of the coming phase: the added economic value we generate, the job opportunities we create, and the improvements we bring to citizens' lives. Real development is one in which policies translate into tangible results, investments turn into production, and growth manifests as economic and social well-being felt by Jordanians.

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