Long-term national projects top SSIF’s investment agenda - Malhas

SSIF targets national projects promising over 10% returns

Chairman of the Social Security Investment Board (SSIF) Omar Malhas has said that the fund is closely monitoring major national investment opportunities, particularly the National Water Carrier Project, the Risha gas line, and other strategic energy and infrastructure ventures.

Malhas said in that any national project generating returns above 10 per cent falls within the fund’s investment priorities under its long-term strategy. He stressed that real estate and land investments remain a core component of the fund’s portfolio “due to their stability and strong long-term returns.”

He also said that the fund’s participation in large-scale infrastructure projects aims to boost returns while maintaining current risk levels.

“Strategic projects such as the National Water Carrier and the gas transmission pipelines offer significant opportunities and add value to the Fund’s investment mix,” he said. Malhas explained that the fund has a “clear plan” for entering real estate development, noting that it has recently acquired several plots, including land in the Amra area, at a preferential price 30 per cent below administrative valuation.

He praised government cooperation in facilitating the fund’s access to these strategic projects, saying it directly supports long-term return enhancement. He added that developing new regions requires integrated infrastructure, transportation systems, and railway networks, “areas that represent promising investment prospects for the fund.”
“These opportunities could be pursued through various models, including BOT (Build–Operate–Transfer) arrangements in which ownership ultimately returns to the fund.”

Malhas said that real estate and land investments currently make up about 5 per cent of the fund’s assets, with the investment policy allowing expansion to 10 per cent. He said any increase will target projects offering the highest long-term returns, particularly those exceeding a 10-year horizon.

On treasury bonds, Malhas said the fund holds roughly JD10 billion in government bonds, which he described as among the safest investments. The government has never defaulted on its local-currency obligations and consistently pays on time.”

Malhas highlighted the fund’s equity and financing investments in major national companies, including a 16 per cent stake in the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, which, he said, has helped strengthen overall returns.

He underscored that SSIF investment decisions are institutional, independent, and based on rigorous analysis, adding that the Social Security Law and the fund’s regulations clearly govern investment procedures.