Alaa Batayneh

Early life and education

Batayneh was born in Amman in 1969. His family is from East Bank, and his father is Aref Batayneh, who is the former member of the parliament and the former minister of health. He received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1991 and a master of science degree in management information systems in 1993, both from George Washington University.

Career

After graduation, Batayneh dealt with business until 2000 in different countries other than his native Jordan, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, he is a member of the board of various firms. From 2000 to July 2005, he served as the general secretary at the ministry of transport. Then he was named as director general of the Jordan customs directorate in 2005 where he served until 2007.

Additionally, Batayneh was appointed minister of transport to the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Nader Dahabi in November 2007, which was his first ministerial post. He became the minister of public works and housing in a cabinet reshuffle on 23 February 2009, replacing Sahel Majali in the post. His term ended in November 2010, and he was named again as the minister of transport to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Samir Rifai. Then he was appointed minister of energy and mineral resources to the cabinet formed by Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh in May 2012. Batayneh was named as the minister of energy and mineral resources as well as the minister of transport in the cabinet of Abdullah Ensour on 11 October 2012. His term ended on 30 March 2013 and he was succeeded by Malek Kabariti as minister of energy and mineral resources. Nidal Katamine replaced him as transport minister as well. He was appointed next, by a royal decree, to the upper House of Parliament, becoming a Senator on 25 October 2013.

Personal life

Batayneh married to Princess Rahma, the eldest daughter of Prince Hassan bin Talal, in July 1997. They have two children.