The Reform Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MoPWH), the Government Tenders Department, the Government Procurement Department, and in partnership with the World Bank, organized a field visit on Monday, May 19, 2025. The visit hosted a delegation of seven donor entities interested in the reform process, three of which are contributors to the Jordan Inclusive Growth and Economic Opportunities Multi-Donor Trust Fund (Jordan Growth MDTF). 

The visit aimed to review progress in implementing two key reforms under Jordan’s Reform Matrix, namely the Jordanian Electronic Purchasing System (JONEPS) and the Road Asset Management System (RAMS), with technical support from the Jordan Growth MDTF. The visit also served as a platform to deepen cooperation with development partners and expand engagement in advancing structural reforms aligned with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision. 

Dr. Jamal Qutaishat, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, indicated in his opening remarks that: 

“This visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening infrastructure governance and advancing data-driven reforms that benefit all Jordanians. Through continued collaboration with our development partners, we are laying the foundation for more sustainable, transparent, and efficient public services.” 

The visit began with a technical session dedicated to JONEPS, one of the government’s flagship initiatives aimed at promoting transparency, broadening participation in public tenders, and enhancing the efficiency of public spending. Through the Jordan Growth MDTF, the Reform Secretariat has provided comprehensive support to JONEPS, including system maintenance and development, training programs for government officials, and the recruitment of a technical expert to facilitate smooth deployment of the system across government entities. 

Ms. Hanadi Nabulsi, Director General of the Government Procurement Department, stated: 

“This partnership has not only enabled digital transformation but has made public procurement a symbol of good governance. Thanks to the Jordan Growth MDTF, any Jordanian company can now view tenders and apply online with full transparency and fairness.” 

She added that “procurement reform goes beyond developing a system, it represents a commitment to building trust through a unified legal framework and independent mechanisms for integrity and oversight.” 

Meanwhile, Eng. Mahmoud Khliefat, the Director General of the Government Tenders Department confirmed that JONEPS now has 52 government entities as active users, with a plan to integrate all entities by 2027. He noted: 

“JONEPS is no longer just a digital platform; it represents a transformative step that reflects Jordan's commitment to transparency and efficiency, improving the efficiency of processes, which contributes to building trust through prudent spending and achieving value for money.” 

During the visit, donors also met with vendors, including SMEs from different sectors, who shared positive experiences using JONEPS. They noted improved accessibility, reduced administrative burden, and fairer competition. They also emphasized that the system has created new opportunities for smaller firms by streamlining the bidding process and ensuring a more transparent and predictable procurement environment. 

The visit then proceeded to review progress in the Road Asset Management System (RAMS) which is being implemented under the supervision of MoPWH. RAMS is a data-driven tool that supports strategic planning for road maintenance, enhances road safety, reduces costs, and improves the climate resilience of infrastructure. MoPWH oversees a national road network of approximately 9,000 kilometers and is working to address increasing challenges through innovative, science-based solutions. 

As part of its support through the MDTF, the Reform Secretariat has facilitated the collection and analysis of data for 2,000 kilometers of the network using laser profiling and non-destructive testing tools. These efforts aim to assess road conditions and prioritize maintenance needs for paved roads under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. 

This visit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent, data-driven reform implementation and its strong partnership with development donors, driving long-term institutional resilience and delivering real improvements in citizens’ lives. 

The Jordan Inclusive Growth and Economic Opportunities Multi-Donor Trust Fund was established in 2019 by the World Bank and is co-chaired by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, supported by Canada, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. It aims to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the Government of Jordan to support the implementation of structural reforms under the Economic Reform Matrix and accelerate their impact. 

For more information read: Modernizing Public Procurement in Jordan Factsheet & Data-Driven Road Assest Management Information Document 

📷 Access photos: MDTF Donors II Field Visit | Flickr