The Status of Tourism Sector in Tafila Governorate: Challenges and Expectations

This study aimed at shedding light at the reality of tourism sector in Tafila governorate and presenting some of the challenges that face this sector. A questionnaire was designed for this purpose, and was distributed to the target sample of study. SPSS and one-way ANOVA methods were used for the study analysis. The study recommended the following:  much care should be given to tourist sites through intensive programs of propaganda and publicity; introducing these sites for local and foreign tourists; providing the necessary constituents (e.g. infrastructure) services as well as the necessary hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and, most importantly, having tourist guides available to introduce such tourist sites and review their history and benefits. Keywords: Tourist Sector, Tafila Governorate, Dana reserve, Efra baths

Domestic Debt and Economic Growth in Jordan An Empirical Analysis

Jordan’s economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of poverty, unemployment, inflation, and a large budget deficit. The study investigates the impact of debt on economic growth in Jordan applying the OLS technique for the period of 2000 to 2014. The study indicates that the stock of domestic debt affects the economic growth positively and statistically significant. This indicates that loans partially were utilized by the government for investment oriented projects. On the other hand, the increasing figure of the public debt indicates that the rest used for private and public consumption purposes, which do not bring any return. The study also indicates that the domestic debt servicing affects the economic growth negatively in Jordan. This result is due to the fact that huge amount of money goes for non-development expenditures and also the rest goes for unnecessary expenditures. The study suggests some policies which should be taken by the government to decrease both domestic debt and domestic debt servicing. Keywords: Domestic debt, Economic growth , Jordan Economy

Industrial Investment in Ma'an Governorate, Obstacles, Opportunities and Successful Projects

Industrial investment is one of the most important factors that help achieving sustainable economic development. This study aims to explore the obstacles, which constrain industrial investments in Ma'an Governorate (located in south Jordan) and the incentives to promote these investments. It also aims to explore investment projects with successful future opportunities. A survey on government and private departments’ managers, individual entrepreneurs, and professionals in Ma’an Governorate was conducted for data collection. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed. Out of this number, only 186 were returned. The response rate was about 58%. One-sample t-test and descriptive statistics showed that there are obstacles facing industrial investments, on the other side it showed that there are real incentives for industrial investments. The research findings show that the Governorate of Ma'an is eligible to attract various industrial projects, which have opportunities to be highly successful in the future such as glass factories, plastics, marble, clothing, and construction materials industries. This study recommends Jordanian government to improve basic infrastructure, promote private industrial investments and exploit the opportunities in the area through directing industrial investments towards the available resources. It also recommends promoting the governorate of Ma'an through media and highlights the prospects of success in various fields of industrial investment in a positive way. Keywords: Industrial Investment, investment obstacles, investment opportunities, future investment projects, Ma’an Governorate