Jordan Times
Monday, April 23, 2007
Aqaba Open Doors showcases employment,
entrepreneurship opportunities
AMMAN (JT) — The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), in partnership with Save the
Children, hosted the first “Aqaba Open Doors” event on Saturday.
The event, held under the patronage of ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi, brought together
hundreds of businesses, investors, parents and youth in Aqaba under one big tent to increase mutual
knowledge and understanding and further expose community members and leadership to employment and
entrepreneurship opportunities in the port city.
More than 500 young people and their parents visited business sites around Aqaba, including Amin
Kawar Shipping, the Aqaba Container Terminal, Ayla, Coral Bay, the Movenpick Hotel, Red Sea, Timber
City Centre, the InterContinental Hotel, Jenna Fitness Centre, the Kempinski Hotel, Saraya and the
Shweikh Mall.
Business leaders opened their doors to community members enabling them to gain an insider’s view of
new and existing projects that offer employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, according to a
statement released by the organisers.
An exhibition of 17 organisations that offer services and support to link community members to employment
and entrepreneurship was held.
Located at booths within the Aqaba Gates complex, organisations presented their services to the community
to increase community interest in gaining access to the local labour market.
Throughout the day, the Aqaba Open Doors film played on wide screens in the complex. In the film, key
decision makers, business and community leaders including Dahabi, Saleh Kaylani, chief commissioner for
investment, ADC Chairman and CEO Emad Fakhoury and Ziad Shweikh, a major investor in the zone, informed
the community about employment opportunities and plans for the port city and encouraged them to actively
participate in Aqaba’s economic development.
In addition, a series of films, highlighting the successes and challenges that youth face in the labour
market, prepared and produced by 20 young people from Aqaba, was screened.
The reason for the event was simple, according to Save the Children Country Director in Dennis Walto.
“At Save the Children, we believe that social development and market development potential, are directly
linked… Aqaba’s ability to host and support successful economic development projects is dependent on a qualified
and participatory host population that sees the positive potential for their own lives in the plans for the
region. In this spirit, we are working as partners with ASEZA to connect young people — and their families —
to the community and the economy,” Walto said.