His Majesty King Abdullah II

The Enhanced Productivity Program (EPP) was endorsed by a cabinet decree on January 3, 2002 as a government-funded development project for Jordan. The Program is based on the idea that the government has a decisive role to play in facilitating the ability of all Jordanians to improve their lives, particularly the less-developed and underprivileged communities. To that end, the EPP creates opportunities for rural communities to be a part of income-producing, self-sustaining industries through promoting enterprise, community and infrastructure development in their respective communities. In addition, and unlike previous government initiatives, the EPP focuses on an integrated approach to rural development where one EPP project leads directly to and supports the other EPP projects. The end result will be individuals and communities generating income and employment in their towns and villages, with the government playing the role of enabler and supporter.

There are four distinct EPP sub-elements. Some of these are further subdivided into component parts and yet each of the sub-elements supports the others.

The Village Clusters concept grew out of a successful experience with a similar project in Lebanon, whereby groups of rural communities sharing social and economic characteristics form an association. This association, together with the EPP, selects two projects for implementation in their collective area. One of the projects, if not both, is income generating for the communities. The association is required to match at least 30% of the funding provided by the EPP to demonstrate its commitment to the long-term sustainability of the projects.

The IRADA Centers are twenty-one consultancy centers covering every governorate in Jordan. Each center is located in a central area and staffed by at least two senior consultants. These consultants are tasked with locating men and women interested in creating a new business opportunity or expanding their current business, and accordingly provide them access to the resources and consultation they need to succeed. Specifically, they offer help with business planning, training and access to sources of funding. The consultants and their clients may turn to an Amman-based Central Support Unit for expert guidance on financial management, specialized businesses (agribusiness) and ICT requirements.

The CIP is composed of four sub-groups, each of which requires substantial investment:

Each of these four areas has two tracks within it: a Fast Track and a Pilot Project Track. The Fast Track includes projects that can be implemented quickly, such as existing gray water projects for rural communities, which can be rapidly expanded with additional funding. The Pilot Projects have a longer time horizon and include innovative new approaches to problem areas. For example, under the Governorates/Municipalities subsection there is a plan to hold a competitive bid for local projects, implemented by the governorate’s own staff under the capacity-building guidance of development experts from the NGOs and the private sector.

These infrastructure projects add to the traditional roads and power lines to offer community development, gender awareness and capacity building.

The EPP seeks to round out its assistance package with an emphasis on training. The TSG section will initiate an on-the-job training program, a vocational training program in coordination with the Vocational Training Centers and an internship program for rural and disadvantaged youth. These projects will be targeted towards clients of the EPCs, but will gradually expand their focus to serve all elements of the Jordanian population. In addition, this component has a portfolio of small grants to meet specific needs at the village and community level.

The EPP budget represents a tangible demonstration of the Government’s belief that Jordanians will be able to create their own economic opportunities when given a stable, supportive environment in which to do so. EPP funding is seed money to be used by our communities to start a new initiative, and meet a new need. The other support that the EPP offers in training, technical assistance and resources, can only go so far. It is our belief that the clients of the EPP will turn that assistance into a long-term alternative for themselves and their families.

The goals of the EPP are as ambitious as the needs of certain segments of the population are great. Its success will depend on the active support of the government, the private sector and individual Jordanians.

Jordan First  II  Political & Socio-Economic  Development  II  
  Competitiveness of Jordan  II  Engines of Growth  II  Privatization  II  
Main Economic Indicators  II  Enhance Productivity Program (EPP)  II
Economic Consultative Council (ECC)