Jordan Times
Thursday, November 1, 2007
King says businessmen are key
to Jordan-China partnership
SHANGHAI (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed the
importance of the partnership between Jordan and China, underlining the key role
of businessmen in this regard.
“Our countries are building a partnership that is productive and rewarding, for
both sides. And business leaders like you are vital to that success,” King
Abdullah said in his address at the Jordanian Investment Forum that was held
yesterday in Shanghai and attended by representatives of major Chinese
enterprises.
Organised by the Jordan Investment Board (JIB), in cooperation with China
Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the forum witnessed the
signing of six memoranda of understanding (MoU) in the presence of King
Abdullah.
Representatives of Jordanian and Chinese companies also signed joint investment
agreements to set up industrial investment projects at an initial value of
approximately $150 million.
The MoUs and the agreements signed between the two sides were in the fields of
business and communications technologies, automobile manufacturing and assembly,
energy equipment and construction.
Underlining the significance of the Jordanian-Chinese cooperation and the drive
towards reform, the King told the forum: “China and Jordan are both on a dynamic
path of reform. And we in Jordan look to China’s experience as a significant
development model.”
“We especially recognise the contributions of China’s business community... not
only as a driver of growth... but as a conduit to the benefits of the global
economy,” the King said in describing the Chinese business community.
The monarch highlighted the Jordanian national strategy, indicating that it has
targeted key areas to support opportunity and growth.
“One priority is Jordan’s human-resource base,” he emphasised. “We are therefore
investing heavily in education, putting special emphasis on market–oriented
training - vocational and technical skills - to provide employers a capable and
ready workforce.”
He pointed out that “a positive business environment” was the Kingdom’s second
priority.
“A third priority is to leverage our strategic central location in West Asia, to
help Jordan-based business reach the 300 million people of the Arab World, and
millions more in other major markets,” the King told the Chinese businessmen.
On limited natural resources in the Kingdom, the Monarch said: “We are dealing
proactively to overcome our limited natural resources. By better managing water
resources, and increasing supply through desalination, while providing new
solar, wind, and nuclear energy sources, Jordan’s future development will be
secured.”
Emphasising the significance of the Jordanian-Chinese joint cooperation, he
encouraged China’s participation and partnership in this future.
To advance such efforts, the King announced in his address that the JIB will
establish an office in Beijing.
The forum was attended by HRH Princess Raya, the King’s Office Director Bassem
Awadallah, Industry and Trade Minister Salem Khazaaleh, and Information and
Communications Technology Minister Bassem Roussan and Jordanian Ambassador to
China Anmar Hmoud, directors of several major Chinese companies and several
members of the Chinese business community.