Jordan’s capex rises 60% to support tourism and gas field

Jordan’s capital expenditure increased by more than 60 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, after it allocated more funds to support tourism and develop a gas field.

The government’s capex rose by JD53.8 million ($76 million) to JD143 million for January and February,  the state-run Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported, quoting the finance ministry bulletin.

Total government spending reached JD1.98 billion by the end of February, with current expenditure at JD1.84 billion.

Current expenditure refers to recurring spending on goods and services, including salaries, maintenance and other expenses. 

The surge in capex was driven by a government policy of front-loading project spending at the start of the fiscal year. 

Key investments included the development of the Risha gas field, equipping Ma’an military hospital, teacher training programmes, municipal development initiatives and support for the tourism board.

Front-loading project spending refers to allocating more budget and resources to early planning, design, and risk management phases.

In late 2025 Jordan approved nearly JD35 million for the development of Risha in 2026 as part of a five-year plan to boost its output to nearly 418 million cubic feet per day at full capacity.

According to the ministry, domestic revenues rose by 2.5 percent year on year to JD1.5 billion by the end of February, driven by an increase in non-tax revenues.

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Foreign grants received by the kingdom in January and February reached JD16.3 million, up from JD3.4 million in the previous year. 

This month the central bank of Jordan announced a JD760 million package intended to allow banks to increase domestic lending and also salvage ailing tourism companies hit by the regional conflict.

Tourism revenues, reported by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) this week, dipped about 4 percent year on year to $1.6 billion in the first quarter.