Despite the exceptional economic and geopolitical circumstances the world and the region have witnessed in recent years, the Bank has succeeded in maintaining the exchange rate of the Dinar and its purchasing power, supported by the increase in the Central Bank's foreign currency reserves to an unprecedented historical level of $28.4 billion at the end of August last, compared to $18 billion at the end of 2021, while keeping inflation rates at low and stable levels, averaging 2 percent during the same period, which is among the lowest in the region.
At the same time, the Central Bank took a package of proactive measures during 2026 with a total value of 760 million dinars to mitigate the repercussions of regional developments and support affected economic sectors, which enhanced the resilience of the national economy and its ability to deal with exceptional circumstances. Financial stability indicators also reflected the sound performance of banks and their immunity by maintaining high levels of capital adequacy, legal liquidity, return on assets, and shareholders' equity, and continued to provide financing to various economic sectors, based on advanced regulatory and precautionary frameworks that contributed to consolidating its safety and its ability to face risks.
Dr. Al-Sharkas's first term also witnessed Jordan's exit from the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October 2023, after completing the requirements of the action plan for developing the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system, which enhanced the status and reputation of the Jordanian financial system internationally.
In terms of modernizing the financial sector, the Central Bank has made tangible progress in the financial technology, innovation, and digital payments system, by launching the National Strategy for Electronic Payments in Jordan for the years 2023-2025, as well as launching the Jordanian Center for Financial Technology and Innovation, the Jordanian Financial Technology Academy, the Digital Regulatory Laboratory, and developing the digital financial services and payment system, and expanding electronic transfer and payment services, while the Central Bank has enhanced its readiness to face escalating digital risks, reflecting the success of the Central Bank in balancing stability, development, and digital protection in line with the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2033.
The Bank also launched the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion for the years 2023-2028, with the aim of expanding access to financial services for citizens and businesses, and supporting innovation and the transition to a digital and organized economy.
In the field of sustainable finance, the Central Bank has contributed to placing Jordan in a regional leadership position by launching the Green Finance Strategy 2023-2028, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, supporting the role of the financial and banking sector in financing sustainability and the transition to a green economy.
The Central Bank has also succeeded in building a more resilient and transparent insurance sector in line with the best international standards and supporting the stability of the financial sector as a whole, by developing an integrated regulatory and legislative system for the sector that combines updating legal frameworks, strengthening financial supervision, and protecting the rights of policyholders.
These achievements were accompanied by updating the legislative frameworks governing the banking and financial sector in line with international best practices and standards, enhancing the efficiency of the regulatory framework, and keeping pace with the development of the financial and banking sector in the Kingdom.
Dr. Adel Al-Sharkas assumed the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan on January 10,
2022, after holding the position of Deputy Governor from 2012 to 2022. He began his professional career at the Central Bank in 1991, and advanced through a number of positions and jobs, particularly in the Research Department, until he became the Executive Director of the Department before being appointed Deputy Governor during the period 2012-2022.
