With no less than 25 competing groups, Jordan’s banking sector could benefit greatly from a little consolidation. By Jawad J. Abbassi A common measure for market concentration is the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, or HHI. It’s defined as the sum of the…
Even though the statistics show Jordanians are snapping up millions of dollars worth of Dubai real estate, it doesn’t mean cash is flooding out of Jordan to do so. By Jawad J. Abbassi Dubai’s property market has rebounded well from…
The rights enshrined in Jordan’s labor and social security laws don’t apply to agricultural laborers. This aberration harms the sector and the country’s wider economy. By Jawad J. Abbassi Unskilled agricultural workers in Jordan have very few rights. The Labor…
2012 2013 2014 Q1 2014 Q1 2015 Dubai Metro Passengers 109,491,741 137,759,258 164,307,080 40,655,978 44,371,860 Growth 28,267,517 26,547,822 3,715,882 Growth (%) 26% 19% 9% Source: RTA annual report Dubai’s metro system has radically reduced the city’s congestion problems and secured…
The decision to slash electricity rates for hotels won’t do anything to solve the crisis in Jordan’s tourism sector. By Jawad J. Abbassi Jordan’s tourism sector plays an important role in the Kingdom’s economy. According to the Ministry of Tourism…
Jordan’s struggling electricity companies should be more concerned with upgrading their grids than dishing out juicy dividends. By Jawad J. Abbassi Jordan’s electricity grid losses problem continued to mount in 2014. In the grids of Jordan Electricity Company and Irbid…
Standing at the same amount as the budget deficit, Jordan’s bankrupt public pension system is funded solely by new debt. Rationally reducing its burden should be of prime importance. By Jawad J. Abbassi At the parliamentary discussions of the government…
Public hospitals desperately need a dose of competition to boost standards and efficiency. I witnessed a terminally ill cancer patient being admitted to a top-rated private hospital in Amman. The room was sparkling clean and the nursing staff fully attentive,…
The government’s plan to increase electricity rates across the board will damage both its credibility and the economy. By Jawad J. Abbassi The rapid drop in oil prices, by over 60 percent since the summer, is a game changer for…
Regulators need to clamp down on the abuse of board of directors’ travel expenses. By Jawad J. Abbassi Jordan’s Corporation Law sets clear compensation guidelines for board of directors in publicly traded companies. Directors can receive a maximum of…