Jordan Times
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Badran outlines Kingdom's economic policies
AMMAN (Petra) — Jordan and the Palestinian
National Authority will set up a joint industrial zone in the River Jordan area,
Prime Minister Adnan Badran announced on Tuesday.
In remarks made during a meeting with delegates attending the 4th Arab Business
Community Forum, Badran said the project would yield positive results and
contribute to the enhancement of joint development projects, but gave no further
details.
Minister of Industry and Trade Sharif Zu'bi will visit the West Bank on Saturday
to discuss the project and examine the most effective ways to increase the
volume of trade between Jordan and the Palestinian National Authority.
Furthermore, Badran said the government will announce shortly that work will
commence on the King Abdullah II University on the site of the Prince Hamzah
Hospital in the capital's suburbs.
A key component of the new hospital will be its nursing faculty, said Badran,
which will supply both the Kingdom's and region's hospitals with a steady stream
of graduates.
At the meeting, Badran reasserted the government's determination to end all
forms of bureaucracy which he said have in the past hampered the efforts of the
private sector, businesspeople and investors.
He promised to amend existing laws in order to ensure a growth in investment and
promote a free and open economic climate.
Badran told the delegates that Jordan was a safe place to invest as it enjoys
security, political and economic stability.
Referring to the economy, Badran said it has achieved an annual seven per cent
growth rate, saying exports are increasing and the volume of investment is on
the rise.
The prime minister told the delegates that the government intends to “expand the
tax base” rather than imposing new taxes and said it will open the door for
investors in the energy and transportation sectors.
He outlined the work currently under way to enlarge the Queen Alia International
Airport to increase its capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.