History

In April 1999, thirty representatives from16 of Jordan's private sector organizations participated in a conceptual meeting to launch Jordan Vision 2020, a planning initiative to achieve a unified private-sector strategy to guide Jordan's economic growth into the 21st century. These individuals were motivated by the realization that the private sector, not government is the true enabler of economic growth. This was the first time that the private sector involved itself in macroeconomic planning.
 

The coalition expanded to twenty seven business associations in 2000, when the original JV 2020 document was blessed by His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian government. Seven strategies for action were detailed, each of which had a series of recommendations and benchmarks for implementation:

• Project dynamic leadership

• Establish an effective public-private partnership

• Instill international competitiveness

• Ensure access to markets

• Modernize our business environment

• Develop world-class infrastructure

• Develop skilled human resources

A number of benchmarks were achieved; an example was the increasing frequency of advertisements and other media activities emphasizing Jordan's future, need for technological orientation, foreign investment and exports, and a commitment to global standards of excellence. Other accomplishments are still in progress. A good example of that would be the new double taxation agreements negotiated with major trading partners and investment source countries.

What was found is that most of the recommendations that have been implemented were undertaken by the government, which is a true testament to an effective public-private partnership in Jordan.