Jordan Times
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Al-Ali addresses World
Pension Forum conference
AMMAN (JT) — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali
highlighted the recent economic, social and political reforms that have been
undertaken by Jordan at a conference hosted by the World Pension Forum being
held in Maryland.
In her keynote address, entitled, “The Jordanian Economy: An Enabling Investment
Environment,” she said achieving an increasingly lucrative investment
environment was a result of the country’s adoption of a multifaceted reform
agenda, which successfully corresponds to evolving global trends, and allows
Jordan to fully integrate into the global economy.
Reaffirming Jordan’s position as an emerging model of modernity and reform in
the region, Al-Ali said the Kingdom acknowledges the ever-increasing importance
of achieving world-class competitiveness and consolidating its global position
in the international economic arena through initiating a wide-ranging set of
reforms in the legislative, judicial, educational, fiscal and administrative
areas.
Furthermore, the minister underlined the country’s efforts towards broadening
public participation and representation, as well as increasing government
accountability and transparency, citing several new laws currently with
Parliament.
Describing the path of reform as long and extensive, Al-Ali said commitment to
this path stems from Jordan’s realisation that although much has been achieved,
much more still needs to be done.
She also highlighted the importance of the Amman Message launched by His Majesty
King Abdullah in 2004, in rejecting extremism, advocating moderation and
tolerance among cultures, peoples and religions, and conveying the true and
sound teachings of Islam.
The planning minister presented investment opportunities in the Amman Stock
Exchange and in various sectors such as energy, transport, and the Aqaba Special
Economic Zone.
She concluded her remarks by reiterating Jordan’s continued commitment to
reforms emphasised in the recently adopted “Kuluna Al Urdun” initiative, which
is the framework for future development plans.
More than 80 US pension fund managers and business leaders are attending the
conference, held under the theme, “The Changing Global Economy and Investment
Environment and How, When and Where We Can Participate in.”
The World Pension Forum, which runs a portfolio of investments worth over $1
trillion, hosts various conferences around the world to help US pension fund
managers make the most knowledgeable investment decisions possible and to
allocate funds to potential investment destinations.