Jordan: Between a rock and a hard place

As I walk down through the old city of Amman negotiating my way through the hassle of street vendors and small shop keepers - all of whom are inviting me with a tired smiles - I get a sense of the fault lines that have the potential to rock this small and vulnerable country.

First, let’s look at the population within Amman. The majority of those living in the City are of Palestinian origin, of whom the vast, vast majority would love to back their bags and head back to Palestine. Not too dissimilar to other Arab nations, more than 50% are under the age of 25, most do not have formal qualifications, and nearly all have very poor job prospects for the future – even tourism, a pillar of their informal economy, has been hit by the unrest of the wider region.

Next, let us examine the perception held by many on the street. In talking to people, either who are trading or just living in these areas, they are utterly convinced that the standard of living in the rest of the World is far superior to that which they endure in Jordan. In addition, many are also convinced that the present system of Government in Jordan is actively seeking to concentrate the best of the country’s resources into the hands of the privileged few. Needless to say, it is neither here nor there whether they are accurate in their beliefs; as we have seen throughout the Arab world, a widely held perception or negativity can be a very dangerous catalyst.

Finally, but no means least, let’s consider the external influences on this Arab nation. To the North, Syria remains to be in an increasingly disturbing and bloody turmoil; to the West, the Israeli-Palestine conflict continues to simmer; and to the East we have Iraq, which is looking more and more unstable by the day. No doubt, such extreme unrest on the doorstep of Jordan will be both uncomfortable for the Government and unsettling for the country’s people.

I hope the King holds good council at this dangerous time.

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Written by Fadel Takrouri.

Fadel is a businessman and the Chairman of the British Arab Federation (BAF)

The BAF is an organisation committed to enabling the British Arab Community of the UK. We conduct research, hold seminars and events concerning Arab Business, Arab Culture and Arab News.

We must stand up for the NHS

As the NHS reformbill bounces its way between the Commons (who appear to be lacking a bit of common sense at the moment) and the Lords (who it seems have common interest at heart), we hear the voices of visited interests arguing the case for stronger private sector involvement in health care delivery. Such arguments, which masquerade themselves with themes regarding efficiency and productivity that are actually about self interest and greed, make my stomach turn.

What makes me nervous is that to date the role of private sector health firms has only resulted in providing those with better means with better access. Whether we like to acknowledge it or not; it’s a badly kept, inconvenient secret but those with better resources can gain access to the top NHS consultants quicker via the private sector backdoor. One example of private sector efficiency that we ordinary folk could do without! 

Further, it is an even worse kept secret about how the top NHS consultants can and have practically monopolised the supply of private sector health care to create an effective closed shop! This manifests itself in such features as limited access, preventing open market forces from operating in the normal way and keeping costs artificially high. 

Recently, many in the UK were shocked by the news that a possible 40,000 women who had had defective breast implants fitted were going to be left unsupported by the private sector to face up to the realities of a future of illness and poor health. While health companies can hide from their responsibilities behind limited liability it seems quite mad to consider involving them further in our public health service.

There’s an additional contradiction that concerns me about involving private health care firms with the NHS – this being one of personal interest of NHS employees. The NHS must be the only organisation in the world that allows its employees to work for the competition. Imagine the outcry if, in the name of profit and the open market, one day we discovered that a retired army general had set up a consultancy advising an enemy! Will a greater role of the private sector result in opportunism among tax payer trained health care professionals?

If we pursue this much talked about NHS reform bill, I fear the private sector will first look to serve its own interests. The NHS was created to serve all equally from the cradle to the grave; we must stand up and fight to keep it that way.

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Written by Fadel Takrouri. 


Fadel is a businessman and a Board Member of the British Arab Federation (BAF). 


The BAF is an organisation committed to enabling the British Arab community of the UK. We conduct research, hold seminars and events concerning Arab Business, Arab Culture and Arab News. 

New Middle Eastern Governments need a Master-Plan

In any society, whether it is in the Western Developed World or in developing countries that have recently experienced a change of leadership and move towards a democratic society, it is important not to ignore fundamental principles linked to key issues that require investment and improvements related to Healthcare, Education, Housing, Employment and general economic vitality and stability.

At the heart of any successful society lays economic development and the creation of continuous employment opportunities for our youth. One of the key components or drivers of successful economies is the ability to provide integrated transport facilities which enable the various chains of society, such as businesses and employment, to link up efficiently.

If you take a look at two emerging democracies in the examples of Libya and Yemen, the approach to starting up an economically stable society will differ. It is clear from looking at Libya that before the new government rushes into a series of projects, a serious injection of expertise into Institutional Strengthening is required. This implies the need to assess how government departments run and how, for example, they could make best use of the funds that may be available to invest in the various sectors of society described above.

That would be the starting point for Libya while for The Yemen, on the other hand, it is more a case of ensuring that existing institutions work together to bring forward cohesive plans for this vast country.

One key aspect to ensure that the country functions as one is the need to be very focussed on what infrastructure will be required. For example, rather than just go ahead and start building roads and major highways a master-plan ought to be formulated that will combine land use planning and transport requirements which will set the fundamental requirements of over say short, medium and long term horizons.

This master-plan would take into account existing population locations and requirements, future new land use locations such as new towns and cities, and will thereby provide recommendations for appropriate infrastructure provision.


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Written by Johnny Ojeil. 


Johnny is a Director of Arup Consulting and a Board Member of the British Arab Federation (BAF). 


The BAF is an organisation committed to enabling the British Arab community of the UK. We conduct research, hold seminars and events concerning Arab Business, Arab Culture and Arab News. 

Introducing the British Arab Federation

It is believed there are now over 750,000 British Arabs living in the UK. This community is even greater when taking into account the number of visiting professionals and students, from the Middle East, that also currently work in Britain.

Despite the economic and cultural contribution of this group, the community is largely hidden and underrepresented in many aspects of British society. In response, a new organisation, the British Arab Federation (BAF) has been launched.

This organisation seeks to bring together and encourage the British Arab community within the UK to play a more active and prominent role within the society of Britain. Primarily concerned with affairs relating to Arab Business, Arab Culture and Arab News, the BAF conducts research and implements community work.

Whether you’re an individual or company, and interested in any aspect of British Arab relations concerning Arab Business, Arab Culture or the Arab News, email media@BritishArabFederation.org to get in touch for advice.