Group photo of the Policy Working Group (PWG) members in Jordan

METI Project

Transforming trade and investment into engines of decent job creation in Jordan

Jordan is set to continue translating economic policy into practical measures that enhance competitiveness, empower SMEs and expand opportunities for women and youth under the new phase of an EU-funded, ILO-implemented programme.

29 October 2025

Content also available in: العربية

AMMAN (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with Jordan’s Economic and Social Council (ESC) and with funding from the European Union (EU), officially launched Phase II of the “Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment” (METI) programme in Jordan during a Policy Working Group (PWG) meeting held in Amman.

ILO-METI project manager presenting the project to Jordan national stakeholders from government, employers and workers' representatives

The meeting, chaired by the Secretary General of the ESC, gathered over 22 representatives from the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the private sector and development partners. Discussions focused on aligning trade and investment policies with job creation and skills development, particularly in the engineering sector as one of the high potential sectors in Jordans Economic Modernization Vision.

The new phase will build on the achievements of Phase I (2020–2024), which developed Jordan’s engineering sector roadmap. Phase II (2025–2028) will focus on translating analysis into action through supporting SME upgrading, skills development and responsible business practices that enhance competitiveness and generate decent work, especially for women and youth.

H.E. Mahmoud Al Shaalan, Secretary-General of the ESC, offered the full support of the ESC to the METI programme in order to jointly achieve the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision.

Jordan's Economic and Social Council (ESC) Secretary General, Mahmoud Shalan

Representing the ILO office in Amman, Chief Technical Adviser Tareq Abu Qaoud noted that the ILO has a strong presence in Jordan and that METI makes an important contribution by linking trade and investment with employment.

ILO-METI Technical officer presenting the roadmap to develop the engineering sector of Jordan

Kalina Nikolaeva, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, emphasised that the METI programme offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and its phase II will result in concrete examples and ideas to advance trade and investment in order to create more and better jobs in Jordan.

About METI

METI is a regional EU-funded programme implemented by the ILO to create more and better jobs by embedding employment priorities into trade and investment frameworks. The project is implemented in nine Southern Mediterranean countries, including Jordan.