Khaberni - The provincial economies outside the capital represent a significant national asset that has yet to be exploited in a way that reflects its real potential. Despite the population density, the availability of young talents, and the diversity of agricultural, industrial, and educational resources, the contribution of these provinces to qualitative growth and sustainable job opportunities remains below expectations. The developmental disparity between the capital and other provinces is apparent in terms of investment size, economic sector diversity, and the availability of advanced services, creating a centralized economic pattern that drains talents and recycles opportunities within a narrow geographical scope.
Addressing this imbalance does not necessarily require huge budgets or heavy capital projects, but rather a smart reallocation of existing resources and maximizing the added value of what is already available. Irbid offers a practical model that can be emulated; it is a province that combines agricultural character with educational depth and a moderate industrial base, in addition to its geographical location which provides a potential logistical advantage. Despite these elements, a considerable part of its workforce still gravitates towards public sector jobs or seeks opportunities in the capital, clearly indicating a gap between potential and outcome.
Treatment begins by building integrated local value chains, especially in the agricultural sector. Instead of marketing raw products, support can be provided for small and medium-sized food processing units close to production areas, benefiting from the existing infrastructure in industrial zones, and from cost-effective regulatory incentives. This relatively simple shift can multiply added value, create jobs, reduce transportation costs and waste, and endow local products with higher competitive capabilities in domestic and foreign markets.
True linking of universities to the local economy is a pivotal step in the transformation process. The presence of effective educational institutions in Irbid represents a strategic opportunity to direct scientific research and training towards the market needs of the province itself. Through cooperative training programs and business incubators linked to productive sectors, knowledge can be transformed into scalable startup projects, reducing graduate unemployment, and fostering an entrepreneurial culture rather than waiting for traditional employment.
The digital transformation of small and medium enterprises provides a low-cost, high-impact entry point. With limited technical and training support, local stores and businesses can expand their operational scope through e-commerce and digital marketing, freeing them from the constraints of a narrow geographical market and extending their reach to broader markets without large capital investments. This pathway is completed by activating the role of municipalities as economic partners, through allocating spaces for small production projects, organizing permanent markets for local products, and simplifying licensing processes to boost confidence and stimulate local investment.
Furthermore, redirecting a portion of public spending towards local purchasing when competitive conditions are available, can inject direct liquidity into the provincial economy without additional burdens on the treasury. Establishing local economic councils that include representatives from the public and private sectors and universities provide a platform to identify clear, measurable priorities, and minimize the dispersion of initiatives and duplication of efforts.
The essence of development in the provinces lies not in transferring ready-made projects from the capital, but in enabling each province to build its own economic identity. In the case of Irbid, this identity can crystallize around smart agriculture, food industries, advanced educational services, and a digitally-enabled economy linked to the youth. This requires relatively simple regulatory reforms, such as simplifying company registration processes, reducing approval times, and linking incentives to actual performance rather than just geographical location.
With this understanding, the provincial economy becomes a strategic opportunity to strengthen national balance, not an additional financial burden. When opportunities are redistributed, resources managed efficiently, and real partnerships built between local institutions, provinces like Irbid can transform from peripheral areas into active production centers deeply contributing to national growth. Development here is not a matter of high cost, but a matter of regulatory will, practical planning, and faith that Jordan's economic future is shaped in all its provinces, not just its center.
