Arab, Foreign Investment Key to Growth

His Majesty King Abdullah II said that the private sector and Arab and foreign investment are key contributors to comprehensive economic development in the country. He also told Arab and foreign business representatives in Jordan at a meeting attended by Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh that there is a need for the one team spirit to address economic challenges in a way to bolster confidence in the private sector and its role in the reform and development process. "I assure you that I and the majority of Jordanians are fully aware of your contributions to national growth.

Keep it up and trust national fairness laws that protect your interests," he told the business leaders. The King said Jordan is pushing ahead with comprehensive economic reform along with political reform in order to effectively address poverty and unemployment and ensure social equality and justice in all the Kingdom's governorates and empower the middle class. He emphasised Aqaba as a distinguished investment destination, adding that work is underway to relaunch Aqaba and highlight investment opportunities in the southern port city.

King Abdullah assured the businessmen that the government would deregulate investment and deepen a partnership with the private sector, stressing the need to finalize relevant economic legislation. He called on investors to help unleash the huge resources and potentials of Jordanians through attracting capital that generates sustainable job opportunities.

Khasawneh said the government would next week hold a meeting with Arab and foreign investors to tackle in detail points raised by the businessmen and problems facing their enterprises as well as their demand to enhance the investment environment. He said the government would set up an investment agency linked directly to the Prime Ministry, adding that new legislation is in the drafting stage to regulate news websites and stop slander of the country's investment. Turning to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, the premier said the cabinet would unveil in next sessions strategic measures focusing on Aqaba and investment stimulation in the Red Sea port.