Jordan's parliament approved a new income tax law on Sunday as part of reforms aimed at lowering its spiraling public debt and boost revenue and economic growth.
Members of parliament amended the 36-article bill to include raising family exemptions to contain its impact on middle class income earners. The law, which needs to be approved by the senate before it becomes law, is expected to be implemented next year. The International Monetary Fund-backed tax comes months after proposed reforms sparked protests this year over austerity measures.
Why is Jordan’s economy in such a dire state?
Resource-barren Jordan relies on foreign aid, grants and remittances to prop up its economy. A three-year oil slump reduced aid and remittance flows to the country from thousands of Jordanian expatriates residing in the energy-rich Arabian Gulf.
Official figures show that 750,000 Jordanian live abroad, with nearly 300,000 residing in Saudi Arabia, followed by 200,000 in the UAE.
The seven-year war in neighbouring Syria also dented economic growth. In 2017, the country received $3.7 billion in remittances, similar to figures in 2016.
The IMF has long called on donors to help Jordan shoulder the burden of hosting over one million refugees from Syria and Iraq that inflated the country's population to about 10 million.
The country's fiscal balance has also deteriorated as a result of Jordan’s import bill. The country imports 95 per cent of its energy needs. The kingdom's import bill has ballooned this year with the rebound in oil prices.
In June, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE pledged $2.5 billion to prop up the kingdom's economy.
What is Jordan doing to amend its finances?
In 2016, Jordan agreed with the IMF on a three-year economic programme to help unleash $723 million in aid aimed at controlling the country’s deteriorating finances.
The plan aims to lower the public debt ratio to 77 per cent of gross domestic product by 2021 from the current 94 per cent of GDP.
The programme emphasises the need to reduce the general sales tax and custom duty exemptions and amend the income tax law.
Jordan’s high import bill, which swelled with the cut-off of supplies of Egyptian gas to the country during the Arab spring, is expected to be lowered with plans to import piped crude from Iraq and gas from Israel.
What is the outlook for Jordan’s economy?
According to the IMF, Jordan's economy will grow 2.5 per cent next year, up from 2.3 per cent this year, but below the 5.2 per cent average between 2000 and 2014.
Jordan’s current account balance is forecast to narrow to a deficit of 8.6 per cent of GDP next year form a deficit of 9.6 per cent in 2018 and 10.6 per cent in 2017.
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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