Local Economic Development Strategy for Irbid Governorate
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Local Economic Development Strategy For Irbid Governorate 2016 – 2018 Copyright © International Labour Organization 2016 First published 2016 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to ILO Publications (Rights and Licensing), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland, or by email: [email protected]. The International Labour Office welcomes such applications. Libraries, institutions and other users registered with reproduction rights organizations may make copies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. Visit www.ifrro.org to find the reproduction rights organization in your country. Local Economic Development Strategy for Irbid Governorate 2016-2018 / International Labour Organization - Beirut: ILO, 2016 ISBN 9789221310563; 9789221310570 (web pdf) ILO Regional Office for Arab States The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. ILO publications and digital products can be obtained through major booksellers and digital distribution platforms, or ordered directly from [email protected]. For more information, visit our website: www.ilo.org/publns or contact [email protected]. For ILO Regional Office for Arab States publications, contact: ILO Regional Office for Arab States P.O.Box 11-4088 Riad El Solh 1107-2150 Beirut – Lebanon Publications are available on: www.ilo.org/arabstates Preface This strategy presents a package of economic development plans that aim to tackle some of the labour market challenges brought about by the influx of Syrian refugees into northern Jordan. It aims to boost business growth and employment through practical initiatives and by identifying key sectors that have the potential to provide suitable and income-generating job opportunities for Jordanians and Syrian refugees. The strategy was conceived as a response to the need of the northern governorates of Irbid and Mafraq to address the impact of the Syria refugee crisis on Jordan's labour market. It follows a review of previous development strategies, national plans and policies, and aims to create approaches that are more oriented towards development in the most affected host communities in Jordan. The initiative was led by the Local Economic Development Committee of Irbid, which is composed of government officials and employers' and workers' representatives, as well as academics and members of civil societies. To Excel, a Jordanian socio-economic and development consultancy, developed the strategy. The key author of the strategy is Zeina Aqaileh from To Excel. Special thanks go to Maha Kattaa, the International Labour Organization's Coordinator for the Syria Refugee Response in Jordan, and to Mary Kawar, Director of the ILO Office for Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, located in Dar es Salaam, for their support in the initial phase of drafting the strategies, as well as to Diana Al Akkad, ILO Administrative and Finance Assistant in Jordan, for her support throughout the process. Local Economic Development Strategy For Irbid Governorate 2016 - 2018 (Part One): Economic Reality Overview and Analysis Report for Irbid Governorate Table of Contents Contents 1.Introduction....................................................................................................................................4 1.1 Concept and Importance of Economic Development..............................................................4 1.2 Local Economic Development Strategy Goals in Irbid Governorate.......................................5 1.3 Development Methodology of the Local Economic Development Strategy for Irbid Governorate...............................................................................................................6 2.Current Situation of Labour Market in Jordan...........................................................................9 2.1 Situation of Employment at the National Level.......................................................................9 2.2 National Level Policy Framework..........................................................................................10 2.3 Local Implementation of Policy Frameworks.........................................................................14 Part One: Overview and Analysis of Irbid Governorate Economic Reality..............................15 3. Growth Drivers in Irbid Governorate........................................................................................16 3.1 Economy................................................................................................................................16 3.1.1 Economic Statistics...............................................................................................................16 3.1.2 Syrian Crisis Impact .............................................................................................................17 3.2 Business and Economic Enterprises.....................................................................................20 3.2.1 Demand in the Labour Market...............................................................................................20 3.2.2 Syrian Crisis Impact..............................................................................................................23 3.3 Workforce...............................................................................................................................24 3.3.1 Employment Statistics...........................................................................................................24 3.3.2 Impact of the Syrian Crisis.....................................................................................................27 3.4 Education and Skills..............................................................................................................30 3.4.1 Supply in the Labour Market ................................................................................................30 3.4.2 Syrian Crisis Impact .............................................................................................................36 4. Priority Development Sectors in Irbid Governorate...............................................................37 4.1 Sector Selection Criteria.......................................................................................................37 4.2 Sectors Selected for Socio-Economic Development Strategy..............................................38 5. Opportunities and Challenges of Priority Development Sectors in Irbid Governorate......44 5.1 Agricultural Sector.................................................................................................................44 5.1.1 Opportunities ........................................................................................................................44 5.1.2 Challenges............................................................................................................................45 5.2 Tourism Sector......................................................................................................................46 5.2.1 Opportunities ........................................................................................................... ............46 2 5.2.2 Challenges............................................................................................................................47 5.3 Industrial Sector....................................................................................................................48 5.3.1 Opportunities ........................................................................................................... ............48 5.3.2 Challenges............................................................................................................................48 (Part Two): Irbid Governorate Local Economic Development Strategy Report.......................49 6. General Definitions....................................................................................................................50 7.Introduction..................................................................................................................................51 7.1 Irbid Governorate Local Economic Development Strategy Goals.........................................51 7.2 Methodology for Drafting the Local Economic Development Strategy for Irbid Governorate......52 8.Vision and Basic Guiding Principles for the Strategy.............................................................55