Jordan Times
Monday, July 26, 2004
Fayez underscores important role of embassies
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Faisal Fayez
yesterday underlined the important role of Jordan's embassies and envoys who act
as a link between the Kingdom and the outside world in the cultural, social and
economic fields.
In an address at the opening of the third Jordanian ambassadors' forum on
Sunday, Fayez said the government is determined to realise His Majesty King
Abdullah's vision of establishing close ties between Jordan and the private
sectors of various countries, in order to attract investments to the Kingdom and
maintain the country's socio-economic development.
Fayez, who deputised for the King at the forum's opening ceremony, referred to
the Royal Letter of Designation which directed the government to create a
favourable investment climate and offer investors all possible facilities and
incentives.
Fayez said the government has responded to the King's directives, promising a
reduction of bureaucratic formalities to simplify procedures aimed at creating
job opportunities from new investments. He emphasised the ambassadors' role in
attracting investment to the Kingdom.
The premier said the government would set up a special fund to enable Jordanian
embassies to promote their activities and to recruit efficient and well-trained
diplomats for the task.
Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said Jordan is facing serious challenges and
shouldering grave responsibilities, stressing that the Kingdom should seize the
present opportunities to ensure a better future.
The forum, which is being held for the third successive year, is designed to
expand Jordanian diplomacy and develop appropriate mechanisms to explore areas
beyond traditional diplomatic tasks, mainly in the economic sector, Fayez said.
The forum offers the envoys a good opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review
of their missions abroad, examine the present difficulties and problems and
discuss the most appropriate means to ensure the right solutions.
Muasher told the diplomats the Foreign Ministry has now adopted new measures and
plans to promote the diplomatic service, giving the embassies further powers to
deal with the new challenges and serve as a forum for attracting investments to
the Kingdom.
Senator Haidar Murad, who also addressed the forum's opening session, commended
the government's efforts that resulted in Jordan achieving 6.9 per cent economic
growth in the first quarter of 2004.
Veteran diplomats Shaher Bak and Hani Tabbara, who have served for 40 years in
the foreign service, were honoured at the forum. Four embassies in Vienna,
Tokyo, Kuwait and Washington, were also honoured for their efforts in increasing
the volume of trade with the four nations and helping to secure economic
assistance to the Kingdom.
Muasher thanked private sector businesses, which collectively donated JD83,000
to the diplomats' fund. Several Cabinet ministers and senior officials as well
as representatives of the Jordanian private sector were present at the opening
ceremony.