Amman –EU-funded project “Communicating results of the EU support to the private sector development in Jordan” successfully concluded an intensive training workshop on financial and economic reporting that targeted 16 Communication Specialists from six public institutions. 

The five-day training, conducted by Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), with the aim of producing compelling content for the media on the achievements and challenges facing Jordanian economy, including the private sector, for mainstream and digital media platforms.

Over the preceding week, participants from six institutions (the Ministries of Planning and International Cooperation, Labor, Industry and Trade, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Investment Commission and Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation) reviewed concepts related to global economics, entrepreneurship, monetary policies, and took part in a role playing exercise as part of a simulation exercise on entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

The main trainer, Dr. Mohamed Sameh, who has a global experience of over 15 years in development and investment, explained that “As a result of this training programme, the participants would have a better practical understanding of the stakeholders operational needs and how to best engage in their media coverage. The programme furthermore enhances their ownership of the private sector initiatives supported by the EU” 

Economic journalist Fayeq Alhijazin, the Director General of Jordan News Agency, also joined the third day and talked about challenges facing Jordan’s economy as he used the energy sector as a case example and the income tax to illustrate how to accelerate and stimulate growth.

Participants were also able to meet Jordanian businessman Rami Abu Shakra, the owner of the 60-year-old local trademark “Abu Shakra” perfumery, who gave a personal account on the relationship between the private and public sectors and challenges facing private business owners during COVID-19. He also addressed the need for open and continuous communication between all stakeholders and the need for stabilized legislation. 

In the last two days of the training, ARIJ’s trainer and investigations supervisor, Safaa Al-Ramahi, explained to the participants how to change the traditional way of presenting financial and economic figures, understanding audiences, and thinking outside the box.

This workshop came as a recommendation of a study commissioned by the European Union Delegation and conducted by to Particip GmbH in November 2020, which generated and analyzed data on the Jordanian Government’s communication efforts towards Private Sector Development issues. 

Background

The EU funded project “Communicating results of the EU support to the private sector development in Jordan” is part of a broader EU programme to Support the Private Sector Development in Jordan. The project aims at building capacities of communication units at six governmental institutions mandated with private sector development to eventually support them to communicate more and effectively and consistently on private sector development issues.