King meets with Utah governor

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with Governor of Utah Gary Herbert and an accompanying delegation, a Royal Court statement said.

During the meeting, joined by HRH Prince Feisal, the King and the governor discussed strategic partnership between Jordan and the US and the means to enhance cooperation in various fields including energy, water, investment, higher education and cyber security.

The meeting also touched on the Syrian refugee crisis and its repercussions on Jordanian economy. This was in addition to discussions about the international efforts to combat terrorism.  

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and the King Office’s Director Jaffar Hassan also attended the meeting.

Also on Sunday, Hebert met with Prime Minister Hani Mulki and discussed economic cooperation between the two parties, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Part of Herbert’s official itinerary is to participate in an economic forum involving Jordanian and US businesspeople for exploring investment opportunities in Jordan, and the possibility of joint projects between the two countries.

Mulki stated that the forum is a “step in the right direction” to achieve mutual benefits in economic relations between Jordan and the business community in Utah in particular, and the US in general.

The prime minister drew attention to the free trade agreements between the Kingdom and several countries including the US, pointing out that Jordan could be a destination for business, trade and reconstruction in the entire region.

Mulki reviewed the economic challenges facing Jordan, and the holistic reforms implemented in the political, economic and administrative fields.  

He also expressed his appreciation for current assistance and support provided by the US to Jordan in implementing various projects. 

On the other hand, the governor of Utah emphasized the relationship between the US and Jordan, commending the Kingdom as an  important player in the security and stability of the region.

Herbert added that the US is aware of the burden borne by Jordan because of its geographical location, which has also been strained by the instability of the situation in the region and the infux of  refugees.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi met with Herbert and outlined the relations between the US and Jordan.

During the meeting, Safadi and Herbert signed a memorandum of understating between Jordan and the state of Utah to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, energy and water.   

In his meeting the governor on Sunday, State Minister for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh stressed the importance of the “strong” partnership between Jordan and the US, which led to the implementation of bilateral programmes with technical, financial and economic assistance for contributing to the economic development in Jordan. 

Herbert, who also visited the  Jordan Investment Commission (JIC)Shehadeh added that Jordan considers the US as a main commercial partner, according to a JIC statement. 

Shehadeh, who is also JIC president, reviewed the most important  reforms that resulted in significant improvements in economic sectors, such as amending laws and signing Arab and international agreements, which led to opening new export markets, as well as monetary and financial policies that maintained the national economy. 

He also went over investment opportunities in the Kingdom, especially in the industrial, ICT, tourist, medicine and energy sectors.

Shehadeh reviewed the regional circumstances, highlighting the importance of benefiting from the next phase and the geographical location of the Kingdom that will play a gateway role for the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq.

For his part, Herbert praised the “deep-rooted” relations between Jordan and the US at all levels, especially in the economic field, noting that the visit, with the participation of major US companies, aims at having a firsthand look at investment opportunities in Jordan.