Jordan Times
Sunday, November 26, 2006
King says enhancing
gov’t performance top priority
AMMAN (Petra) — King Abdullah on Saturday said enhancing government performance
and the “ability to implement” development project top national priorities.
“Achieving tangible progress that reflects on citizens’ living conditions as
well as a more just distribution of development plans around the country will
strengthen Jordan,” the King, who returned yesterday with Queen Rania from
Kuwait, told Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit in a letter.
“Our precious people should feel actual results on the ground.” In the
nine-point letter, the Monarch outlined projects, programmes and laws he wanted
the government to focus on — in line with National Agenda and We are All Jordan
Forum recommendations as well as his own observations during visits to different
governorates:
1. Expediting the implementation of a package of major services and development
projects, foremost of which building two hospitals in Zarqa and Baqaa,
infrastructure projects in villages near Jerash, Karak, Zarqa and in south Amman
and dams in Ajloun and Karak.
2. Supporting farmers to improve their products’ competitiveness in regional and
international markets. These programmes include the establishment of a fund that
helps minimise risks and motivate farmers.
3. Drawing up a strategy to support medium and small projects, expanding the
financing base of these projects and provide youth with opportunities to help
them implement their innovative ideas.
4. Accelerating the implementation of the Mafraq Special Development Zone and
reconsidering vocational training programmes to produce skilled labour.
5. Establishing an industrial estate in the Tafileh Governorate, completing a
similar project in Maan and expanding their activities to attract investors.
6. Launching a new package of projects and initiatives to upgrade education,
higher education, culture and youth sectors. These sectors should be equipped
with necessary infrastructure to raise younger generations to true faith and
adherence to Arab Islamic culture.
7. Accelerating the implementation of mega-development projects under way such
as the expansion of the Queen Alia International Airport, rehabilitation of the
existing runways at the airport, the construction of the Amman-Zarqa railway,
upgrading the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Ccompany and building the new Karama
border crossing to Iraq.
8. Restructuring economic and investment bodies in a way that ensures clear
decision making mechanisms and the highest degree of coordination.
9. Cooperating with Parliament to enact pending laws related to economic and
political reform.