The Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA), in partnership with the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), held a ceremony on Sunday to announce the winners of the 2025 Ethics in Business Award for Business Leadership, recognising companies and business leaders for their commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Held under the theme Towards the Future: Celebrating Leaders of Sustainable Local Development, the event aimed to highlight the role of ethical leadership in advancing economic development and strengthening the private sector’s contribution to national growth.
JBA Chairman, Ayman Al-Alawneh said the partnership with ARDD reflects a shared commitment to supporting the private sector’s role in economic development and enhancing the competitiveness of Jordan’s economy. He noted that the association brings together leading businesswomen and businessmen across 14 economic sectors, forming a key pillar of the national economy.
Alawneh underscored the private sector’s central role in driving economic growth and improving the efficiency of productive and service sectors, in line with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision. He said the vision emphasises public-private partnerships, the private sector’s leadership in implementing strategic projects, attracting investment, fostering innovation and adhering to best ethical practices in business.
He added that the association places particular emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), describing them as the backbone of the national economy, by enhancing their competitiveness, enabling innovation and expansion, and opening new markets to create quality jobs and ensure sustainable growth.
ARDD Executive Director Samar Muhareb said cooperation with the private sector is a key driver of economic and social development. She said the award is granted annually based on national priorities and ethical commitment within the business sector, reflecting the winners’ dedication to inclusive economic growth aligned with the Economic Modernisation Vision.
Economist Dr. Adli Kandah said strengthening entrepreneurship and building partnerships based on shared values and achievable goals are essential for efficient economic growth, job creation, improved living standards and increased investment in Jordan.
Rula Abu Rub, Jordan Partnership Manager at European Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP), stressed the importance of building a more inclusive and equitable economy by expanding economic participation and integrating different groups into the labour market to support sustainable development and social and economic stability.
During a panel discussion on supporting entrepreneurship in Jordan amid current economic challenges, moderated by Kandah, speakers highlighted the private sector’s role in stimulating the business environment. JBA board member Rami Al-Saheb said entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of economic growth, calling for stronger corporate governance, transparency and ethical values to build a stable and sustainable business environment.
Al-Saheb noted that the industrial sector relies on creating added value to enhance competitiveness, adding that shipping costs to and from Jordan remain a key challenge. He said efforts are focused on strengthening cooperation among local factories and upgrading production capacities to improve the sector’s performance in domestic and international markets.
The discussion also featured contributions from Rabee Jamaliah, Entrepreneurship Project Manager at Orange Jordan, and Shatha Bdeer, Head of SMEs at Bank al Etihad, who stressed the importance of coordination among institutions supporting entrepreneurship.
The 2025 Ethics in Business Award winners were Moath Al-Fauri, CEO at Astrolabe Restaurants and Touristic Investments, Dr Fawzi Al-Hammouri – GM & CEO at the Specialty Hospital, Omar Al-Shbatat, Chairman of Mohamad Yousef Al Shbatat & Partners Co For Contracting (MYSH), Mohannad Manaseer,CEO of Watad Investment Group, Anas Abu Odeh, General Manager of Abu Odeh Brothers Co.; and Iyad Abu Haltam, Chairman of Mohammad Abuhaltam Investments Group.