The head of the Parliamentary Economy and Investment Committee, Dr. Khair Abu Sa’ilek, said that the committee will launch in the next stage a questionnaire entitled: “The Investor’s Journey”; It aims to prepare for the law regulating the investment environment, in order to improve it.

Abu Sa’ilik added, during a meeting with industrialists in the Amman Chamber of Industry, to discuss the government’s intention to reduce customs duties on imports; The committee will also launch, in the coming days, a window on the website of the House of Representatives, to submit suggestions, complaints and inquiries, to be classified and discussed by the committee on a weekly basis.

He said, “The hypothesis of economic growth, which was set in the general budget for the next year at a rate of 2.7 percent, is not sufficient to make a difference in the economy, in light of expectations of a large capital expenditure estimated at about one and a half billion dinars.”

He stressed that the committee understands and agrees with the demands of the industrial sector, especially since any customs procedure must take into account the protection of national production and address distortions, in a manner that does not conflict with international and financial legislation.

He pointed out that there are 23 draft laws before the committee that directly affect the work of the industrial and commercial sector, calling for a real and not traditional partnership with the private sector, maximizing the added value of the local industry, in light of the government’s intention to announce major projects during the next year.

He promised to hold a special meeting with those concerned in the government to discuss the expected repercussions of the decision if taken.

In turn, the head of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, Eng. Fathi Al-Jaghbir, stressed the need to work with parliamentarians to discuss the sector’s problems and protect industry and local products, as in neighboring countries.

He said that reducing customs duties on imports, under the pretext of eliminating smuggling, is not feasible, because the sales tax is the main influence on the consumer and trader and must be reduced.

He stressed that the reduction of customs duties will increase unemployment rates, in a sector where the rate of employment of each facility is about 13 people.

The attendees discussed a number of issues that burden the industrialists, calling for reducing the costs incurred by the sector, supporting its exports, and protecting its production.