Jordan Daily Brief — Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Today marks the 27th anniversary of King Abdullah II's accession to the throne. The day was shaped by a wide-ranging Cabinet session, strong central bank figures, and a notable Jordanian appointment at UNESCO.

King Abdullah II met with economic figures at Al-Husseiniyeh Palace on Monday and said Jordan's economy has demonstrated its ability to withstand and overcome crises, even as the region remains turbulent.

The King stressed that Jordan's stability is a key driver for investment, and called on officials and the private sector to pursue the economic opportunities created by upcoming regional connectivity projects. He also underlined the importance of expanding local participation in large-scale national projects and leveraging the country's advances in technology and the Economic Modernisation Vision.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired a Cabinet session Monday that produced several significant economic decisions.

Salary increase: Hassan ordered a monthly salary increase of JD30 for all civil and military employees and retirees whose monthly income is below JD600. Funds are to be allocated in the 2027 state budget. He also tasked the Finance Ministry with cutting operational expenditures across government by 15 per cent next year, while maintaining over JD500 million in subsidies for wheat, barley, cooking gas, and national aid programmes.

Industrial preference: The Cabinet raised the price preference for locally manufactured industrial products in government tenders from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. The rule applies to all ministries, public institutions, universities, municipalities, and state-owned or majority state-owned companies. Jordanian products will take priority in government procurement even when priced up to 20 per cent above imported alternatives, provided they meet approved technical and engineering standards.

World Bank deal: The Cabinet also approved a $400 million financing agreement with the World Bank to support the Health Sector Reform Programme.

Jordan's foreign currency reserves reached $27.18 billion at the end of May 2026, up from $27.05 billion in April, the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) announced.

The increase brings the cumulative rise since the start of the year to roughly $1.7 billion, driven by sound monetary policy, strong export performance, and steady remittances from Jordanians abroad. At current levels, reserves cover 9.5 months of imports of goods and services — more than triple the internationally recommended minimum of three months.

In local currency terms, reserves stood at nearly JD19.3 billion, compared with JD18.1 billion at end-2025. Gold holdings remained stable at approximately 2.4 million ounces, with gold reserves valued at JD7.8 billion.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany appointed Nayef H. Al-Fayez of Jordan as Assistant Director-General for Culture on June 8. Al-Fayez joins UNESCO's senior management team and will help drive the organisation's global leadership in cultural heritage, creativity, and the role of culture in sustainable development and international cooperation.

Al-Fayez brings more than 30 years of experience in senior government roles. He served three times as Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (2011–2022), twice as Minister of Environment, and as Director-General of the Jordan Tourism Board. Most recently he served as Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) until 2025. In November 2024 he was appointed Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism by the World Tourism Organization.

Tuesday, June 9, marks the 27th anniversary of King Abdullah II's accession to the Hashemite throne in 1999. The occasion is being observed across the Kingdom with official ceremonies and public celebrations. The anniversary comes as Jordan assumes an active diplomatic role in calls for a Gaza ceasefire and Arab-led reconstruction efforts.