Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Regional problems won’t
stop development drive — King
King Abdullah on Monday said regional tensions and challenges will not prevent
Jordan from implementing its socio-economic development programmes. Chairing a
special Cabinet session, King Abdullah called on the government to accelerate
the implementation of Letter of Designation plans to improve living conditions
and help alleviate poverty and unemployment. The King said finding practical
solutions to offset the impact of soaring oil prices on citizens, particularly
those on limited incomes, should top priorities of the public and private
sectors. During the session, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit briefed the King on
government plans to find alternatives for energy resources, saying that
agreements were expected to be signed this month with international firms to
extract and use oil shale. Bakhit also spoke about current steps to establish a
social security commission, adding that the government planned to issue a report
on practical means to address poverty and unemployment — Petra