Jordan Times
Monday, March 5, 2007
King stresses drive to enhance
effectiveness, accountability
BOSTON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah reiterated on Sunday Jordan’s
commitment to comprehensive development despite regional challenges.
King Abdullah, who is on a several-day official visit to the US, detailed the
business opportunities available in the country to chief executive officers of
several major companies in the state of Massachusetts.
The Monarch said that the country’s drive towards development includes the
building of an open, free and dynamic economy.
“Jordan seeks to maintain the overall economic stability and to build a
conducive investment environment,” the King added, stressing the drive to
enhance effectiveness and accountability in the government’s decision-making
process.
The King cited several steps that the government will carry out to enhance the
development process. These include the issuance of a law on combating money
laundering, so that the country will be in total compliance by the coming year
with the Basel II agreement which aims to promote financial stability.
King Abdullah highlighted the investment opportunities available in the country,
including those under the privatisation scheme. Other opportunities include
infrastructure projects including the Red-Dead Sea Canal, the gas distribution
network in the cities of Amman and Zarqa, the railroad projects and Aqaba
Transport Project, the King told the businessmen.
Highlighting the main key sectors of pharmaceuticals and healthcare as well as
that of information and communications technology, the King referred to the
sectors’ expanding exports. The pharmaceutical sector is the country’s third
largest exporting sector, as 80 per cent of its production is exported at
present to over 60 countries.
HRH Prince Feisal, Director of the King’s Office Bassem Awadallah, Jordan’s
Ambassador to the US HRH Prince Zeid and Head of the Royal Court Economic
Department Maher Matalqa attended the meeting.
During his visit, the Monarch will address a joint session of Congress on the
importance of establishing a viable Palestinian state. He will also meet with
President George W. Bush and senior administration officials.