Jordan Times
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Jordan reform steady — King
WASHINGTON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said Jordan has
realised many economic accomplishments in the past years and is steadily working
on achieving comprehensive reforms in the field.
King Abdullah was speaking at a meeting with leaders in the fields of economy,
finance, banking, tourism, health, education, media and IT in the US as well as
officials from the departments of finance and state.
The King reviewed steps Jordan is currently taking to achieve socio-economic and
political development that would reflect positively on the living standards of
citizens.
He stressed that Jordan is enhancing its democratisation process and making
confident strides to implement relevant reform programmes aimed particularly at
creating a sound economic environment that would integrate with the
international economy.
The King said Jordan's economy gives the private sector the opportunity to play
a larger role in economic growth and create jobs for citizens.
Citing economic indicators, King Abdullah said the actual growth during the
first six months of this year surpassed 7 per cent in the fields of tourism,
industry, services and construction.
He noted that Jordan's exports rose in the first 10 months of 2004 by 43 per
cent, compared to the same period last year. The foreign currency reserves total
now at $4.8 billion, compared to $100 million in 1999 — an indication of
monetary stability in the Kingdom, he said.
But Jordan, said the King, has yet to deal with challenges like creating jobs
for citizens, which needs sound plans and programmes based on education,
vocational training and rehabilitation.
Better educational methodologies, a larger role of the private sector in the
national economy and an investor-friendly legislative environment are key
factors to reduce unemployment, he told the meeting.
Doors are open for the private sector to benefit from the Kingdom's
privatisation programme and to invest in water and energy projects, the Monarch
said. He added that industrialists can exploit privileges offered by the Free
Trade Agreement with the US and the Association Agreement with the EU.
At the political level, the King called for a final, permanent and balanced
solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict — which is the only way out of the
cycle of violence, terrorism and extremism.
Citing statements by the late King Hussein, the Monarch said the establishment
of a Palestinian state will also guarantee security for Israel, which should
seek integration with regional countries.
On Iraq, he urged all Iraqis to take part in the upcoming elections, especially
that there is an international consensus on the need to ensure a proper
atmosphere to guarantee the polls are transparent and impartial.
Meanwhile, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah
underlined certain components in the Jordanian economy where the country enjoys
a competitive edge. He said these sectors are lucrative enough to attract
foreign investors.
He said the King focuses in his meetings with business leaders and investors on
infrastructure projects such as the development plans in Zarqa and Abdali and
the Aqaba Special Economic Zone as well as water projects like the Disi Water
Conveyance Project and the Red-Dead Canal.
The minister announced that Jordan will review its educational experiment during
an upcoming international conference, which will be held on the sidelines of the
World Economic Forum, to be hosted by Jordan in May next year. The event is
expected to attract the Arab education ministers and their peers from the G-8
countries.
Also on Tuesday, King Abdullah held talks with US Assistant Secretary of State
Richard Armitage on the Palestinian and Iraqi issues.
The talks were attended by Royal Court Minister Samir Rifai, Foreign Minister
Hani Mulki, Awadallah and Jordan's Ambassador to Washington Karim Kawar.