Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Jordan may set up more
special economic zones in future — King
LONDON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said Jordan might set up
more special economic zones in the future, after the successes achieved by the
five-year-old Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ).
The Monarch was speaking to business leaders at a meeting here organised by the
Jordan Investment Board, UK Trade and Investment and Arab British Chamber of
Commerce. Her Majesty Queen Rania was present.
He said the potential zones would focus on attracting light industries, medical
care institutions and IT operations.
He described the achievements of ASEZ as a successful example of Jordan’s
economic model, which relies on active participation of the private sector
He renewed Jordan’s commitment to reform, free-market economy and economic
openness.
The King called for stronger trade ties between the Jordanian and British
private sectors and thanked the Duke of York Prince Andrew for encouraging
partnerships between firms in both countries.
Referring to the EU-Jordan Association Agreement, the King emphasised Jordan’s
keenness on developing relations with all EU members at the private and
government levels.
He outlined the steps the country has taken so far to build a strong and
liberalised economy, which, he said, is reinforced by the agreement with the EU
and the Free Trade Agreement signed with the US, along with an array of
bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with regional and Asian
countries.
The King also summed up achievements in programmes the country is implementing
in other sectors such as education.
He referred to economic indicators, noting that GDP growth reached 7.2 in 2005
and 6.4 by June this year, while exports recorded remarkable increase to $1.2
billion last year.
In his remarks at the meeting, Prince Andrew pointed out that Jordan’s imports
from the UK rose last year by 16 per cent, while exports went up by nine per
cent.
Jordanian officials took turn in presentations covering the main aspects of
Jordan’s economic development.