His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received a report submitted by Prime Minister Hani Mulki on the government’s key achievements over the course of a year.

The report covered economic reform, human resources development, empowerment and employment, administrative and public sector reform, political reform, judicial reform, efforts to enhance the social safety net, and work to develop public services.

The report’s executive summary said the budget deficit dropped by 15 per cent in 2017, compared with 2016, while the public debt balance increased by 4.4 per cent; the lowest increase ratio in a decade.

The government reported a 7.7 per cent increase in domestic revenues, adding that the real gross domestic product grew by 2 per cent during the first three quarters of 2017.

Tourism income increased by 12.5 per cent during 2017, according to the report’s summary, and remittances of Jordanian expatriates amounted to JD2.4 billion during the first 11 months of 2017.

National exports increased by 1.5 per cent, the report said, while imports increased by 5.4 per cent; therefore, the trade deficit increased by 9.7 per cent in the first 11 months of 2017.

“The prime challenge remains an unemployment rate in the double digits,” the report’s summary added, standing at 18.5 per cent during the first three quarters of 2017, in addition to low economic participation among women.

To implement self-reliance, the report said the government is working on fiscal reform, revitalising the economy, and institutionalising the social safety net, while also adopting a new communication strategy that entails further outreach and the utilisation of social media.

The report said the government is working on strengthening economic resilience through food, energy, and water security, detailing the various measures taken and projects underway to achieve that in each sector.

Under a section on progress in implementing the National Strategy for Human Resources Development, the report highlighted the government’s efforts to reform general education, enhance vocational and technical training, and improve higher education.

The report also covered the government’s efforts to develop the judicial sector and reform the public sector, as well as progress in switching to a paperless government.

Achievements in enhancing the investment climate and the ease of doing business, in addition to progress in infrastructure and development projects were highlighted in the report.

The government detailed its work to enhance the healthcare sector through digitisation, addressing staff shortages, and drafting a plan for medical tourism.

Moreover, the report touched on major milestones locally and regionally, such as holding the municipal and governorate council elections and hosting the 28th Arab League Summit, as well as ongoing efforts to fight extremism, and combat drugs and crime.

In 2018, the report said, the government will continue to build on the progress achieved and to speed up the implementation of projects and measures pertaining to public sector reform.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing financial reform and achieving further progress in the implementation of the National Strategy for Human Resources Development.

The report said the government will continue to adhere by the recommendations of the Royal Commission for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the Rule of Law, and work towards institutionalising the social safety net.

Also during 2018, the report said the government seeks to achieve “tangible results in developing the transport sector” and to continue strengthening economic resilience.

The government “will not hesitate to provide all forms of support to JAF [the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army] and other security agencies”, and “will continue to strengthen Jordan’s active role in promoting joint Arab action and its influential role within the Arab League”, as well as the Kingdom’s diplomatic presence on the international stage, according to the report’s executive summary.