Jordan Times
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
King tasks government
with helping Lebanese businesspeople
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday directed the government to set
up a taskforce to help the Lebanese private sector overcome the deteriorating
economic situation caused by Israeli aggression, the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
reported.
The taskforce, the King told the Cabinet during a meeting, is charged with
looking into the possibility of allocating a special zone where Lebanese
businesspeople can store their goods and run their businesses.
Otherwise, domestic issues topped yesterday’s agenda.
The King said the action programme set at the end of the recent “We are All
Jordan” Forum meetings is “crucially important for the present and future of
Jordan.”
He added that all are partners in implementing this programme, each within his
own sphere and jurisdiction, Petra reported.
The Monarch said he is personally following up on the plan, hoping to “see
substantial results on the ground.”
The government, he told the Cabinet, is tasked with drawing up implementation
plans, coupled with timetables, urging ministers to cooperate with Parliament to
expedite the enactment of laws given priority by 700 local leaders at the
forum’s July 26-27 Dead Sea meetings.
The six major topics evoked by forum participants were the Palestine issue,
political reform, external challenges, domestic development, economic reform and
social security.
Meanwhile, the King told the Cabinet yesterday that on the internal front,
priority should be given to economic reform, urging all agencies and individuals
involved to accelerate work on foreign investment attraction and noting that
investments should be distributed around the country.