Jordan's cabinet resigned Monday ahead of govt reshuffle
to defuse biggest protests in years
in the debt-ridden country
moves to raise salaries, revenues falling, strained state coffers
Jordan spiraling debt us$40 billion, 95% of GDP
successive governments failed to deliver
growth stuck at around 2%
Jordan’s economy hit by regional conflicts
My comments :
Like the rest of the Middle East Jordan is in deep shit. And here is a secret - they will not find any solutions in the near future. Their country will most likely burn down first.
I believe the only reason Jordan has not collapsed yet is because the Israelis 'secretly' support the Jordanian Royal family led by King Abdullah.
On their northern border the Israelis have to deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On their southern border they have to deal with Hamas in Gaza.
The Israelis cannot afford to see their immediate eastern neighbour Jordan collapse and then ISIS, Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood and every other terrorist group start fighting with each other in Jordan.
But I think nothing is going to save Jordan.
Here is some economic data about Jordan:
Watch that unemployment rate - 18.3%. This is very high.
It also may include part time jobs or non fulltime jobs. Employment could include the informal sector like day labourers, daily paid workers etc. The actual unemployment figure (regular 9 - 5 jobs) could be much higher.
Economic growth at 2% is minimal. If the sun rises in the morning and cows have baby calves the economy could still grow 2%. Meaning government economic policy is of little use.
I think that inflation figure of 3.3% is also misleading. Because one of the reasons the Jordanians are protesting is because the cost of living has shot up. Life is quite unaffordable. Jordan is another powder keg in the Middle East.
The fuse is now being lit. It will blow up as well.
Tiada roti canai RM1.20 atau teh tarik RM1.30 sen
Tiada kedai mamak nasi kandar
menimbulkan masalah besar bagi Jordan.
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