jordan pulse -

Fares Al-Habbashneh
In March, Haitham Al-Majali ‘Abu Faisal’ to leave Jordan Duty Free Shops. I did not intend to write about duty free or Majali’s departure from chairmanship. What forces this piece are facts difficult to ignore or gloss over.
Majali leaves after building strong company and one of pillars of Jordanian economy. In Jordan, two companies stand as models for national investment and economic management: Jordan Duty Free Shops and JETT.
Jordan Duty Free Shops built by Haitham Al-Majali. JETT built by Minister Malek Haddad ‘Abu Murad’.
Both companies challenge all obstacles and regional conditions, including wars and political turmoil, yet remain resilient, generating millions of dinars in annual profits. No one asks how Jordan Duty Free Shops withstands dark and difficult Covid years.
Borders crossings airports close. Country enters full partial lockdowns. Tourism halts. Air traffic suspended.
Jordan Duty Free Shops story of national success, requiring in-depth study to understand real economics and how investment succeeds under leadership balancing capital with national responsibility. Economic mindset believing economy serves society, people, development, and acts as partner to state in shaping social security and stability.
During Covid years, Syrian war years, Palestinian Intifada years and closure of crossings with occupied Palestine, Jordan Duty Free Shops lays off no single employee. Company upholds social responsibility with professionalism, commitment, national duty.
In Jordan, private sector mindset well known. Covid exposes behaviour and loyalties of capital class that avoids national responsibility at peak of crisis.
Haitham Al-Majali leaves company yet leaves legendary management experience of major Jordanian firms, worthy of study and emulation.
Majali leaves company with assets worth hundreds of millions of dinars. Company never records loss or financial instability. Operates active successful network across Jordanian border crossings. Exports Jordanian duty free management model through partnerships agreements with neighbouring Arab states. Employs administrative technical staff with qualifications experience comparable to Japanese European American firms.
Majali deserves honour before March departure. Major ceremony. Name engraved on gates walls pillars of company.
Responsibility heavy on successor. How to protect legacy of profitable growing company, symbol of strength stability in Jordanian economy?
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