preamble

This paper comes to shed light on the restructuring programs implemented by successive Jordanian governments in general, especially after implementing some austerity measures, which included raising taxes on a group of goods at the beginning of the year. Also, the controversy that arose about amending the current income tax law as part of the requirements of the International Monetary Fund to control public finances and deal with the budget deficit. It is known that governments resort to the Fund in the event of financial crises, and the government negotiates with the Fund on measures to be taken to address these imbalances. Successive governments have cooperated with the International Monetary Fund for less than thirty years, during which two credit readiness programs (1989-2004) and (2012-2015) were implemented, in addition to the current Extended Credit Facility (2016-2019), which aimed to restore overall stability. The Jordanian economy and facing some structural challenges, especially in the public financial situation.

The Center presents this quick review of these programs and their results in the hope of contributing to enriching the national discussion about the program and government measures and to come up with some lessons learned.

This quick review does not replace a comprehensive and accurate review of the study of the IMF programs that have been implemented in Jordan during the past two decades.

 Center Manager

Prof. Dr. Musa Shteiwi