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Amman Chamber Launches Training Program: 'A Lifetime Journey Across Generations for Family Businesses'

The Second Deputy Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, Bahjat Hamdan, emphasized the chamber's strong commitment to improving the performance of family businesses, which he described as a fundamental pillar of the national economy and a key source of investment, job creation, and entrepreneurship development.

Speaking at the opening of the training program titled "A Lifetime Journey Across Generations for Family Businesses", Hamdan stated that the initiative aligns with the chamber’s vision to support the sustainability of family businesses through generational knowledge transfer and institutional governance practices. These, he added, help businesses adapt to the rapidly changing local and regional markets.

According to a statement issued by the Chamber, the program—delivered by Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, Youssef Hassan Khalawi—aims to introduce best practices tailored to the unique nature and needs of family enterprises. It seeks to strengthen family culture, foster consensus despite differing opinions, and highlight core values and principles that support business continuity.

The program also seeks to help family businesses understand both challenges and opportunities, develop a strategic plan for long-term sustainability, and gain insights into asset management and effective governance. It provides practical tools and frameworks to ensure family business growth across generations and explores operational, investment, and social aspects of family enterprise models.

Hamdan cited Forbes' recent 2025 list of the Top 100 Arab Family Businesses, highlighting how these companies transcend commerce to become deeply rooted in the region’s social and cultural fabric. Many trace their origins to before 1950, a testament to their adaptability and resilience. He noted a trend of emerging dynamic family business models focused on sustainability and innovation, especially in sectors like clean energy.

Hamdan further praised successful Jordanian family businesses that have merged family heritage with institutional management, expanding across sectors within and beyond Jordan, and playing a vital role in building the national economy.

Youssef Khalawi, the program's lead speaker, explained that it is structured around five key pillars, forming what he called a "lifetime journey" for family businesses. These include:

1. Strengthening family values and culture as the foundation for internal unity and shared vision.


2. Developing a strategic vision to ensure generational sustainability and smooth succession.


3. Improving governance and asset management through clear and transparent systems.


4. Understanding challenges and opportunities in rapidly changing global and regional contexts.


5. Enhancing social responsibility, viewing it as a core part of the family business’s national and societal role.



Khalawi described these five pillars as a roadmap for any family business seeking longevity and growth. He urged participants to adopt a long-term vision that balances family heritage with modern market demands to ensure resilience and continuity.

The two-day program attracted a group of family business owners and next-generation leaders. It features interactive sessions and practical discussions designed to exchange experiences and deepen specialized knowledge, equipping the next generation with the tools needed for a successful and sustainable business transition—and reinforcing the role of family businesses as a vital component of the national economic ecosystem.