Plans launched to boost development in nine municipalities

AMMAN — Systematic and specialised plans to develop nine municipalities in different regions in the Kingdom were launched on Wednesday.

The Local Economic Development (LED) action plans will serve as roadmaps to boost development in Zarqa, Hashemiyah, Azraq, Shouleh, Mazar Al Jadeeda, Muath Bin Jabal, Tabaqet Fahel, Naour and Amiriyah.

The initiative is supported by the USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) in cooperation with the Jordan Strategy Forum, the Jordan Investment Commission and the private sector.

According to the USAID, the plans focus on identifying investment opportunities in the regions in question and draft a long-term strategic vision for each municipality.

"I know our municipality has great potential for growth, but it needs consistent efforts and a sound vision to bloom," Shouleh Mayor Musa Mashour told The Jordan Times.

On the sidelines of the launch ceremony, he noted that Shouleh, located in the northern Irbid Governorate, is home to many tourist attractions and archaeological sites that are neglected.

"These sites include Islamic and Christian monuments that could attract tourists from everywhere, but they are in need of care and promotion," said Mashour.

With a population of 17,000, including 2,500 Syrians, the area is also known for its agricultural capabilities, while the vast majority of its residents work in the public sector.

Under the designated blueprint for the municipality, a tourism resort will be established in Shouleh, whose agricultural produce will also be promoted.

Zarqa Mayor Emad Momani voiced his enthusiasm over the plans, inviting investors to explore potential business opportunities in the city, 22km northeast of Amman.

"We need to create over 70,000 job opportunities every year in Zarqa, and the government alone cannot create these jobs," he said.

Municipal Affairs Ministry Secretary General Walid Otoum noted that the Municipalities Law focuses on supporting the development roles of municipalities, stressing the significance of the project in identifying investment potentials in the targeted areas.

He noted that the challenges facing municipalities today due to the influx of Syrian refugees.

USAID Economic Development and Energy Office Director Russell Bauer said that for the past two-and-a-half years, the agency has been working closely with the nine targeted municipalities, which have demonstrated strong commitment to developing their communities through attracting investment and supporting entrepreneurship.

For the past year, LENS has been working with partners to develop comprehensive local economic development plan, he highlighted.

Bauer underlined the importance of the project in expanding the role of municipalities to become a reliable source for data and information for investors, which will serve decentralisation efforts.

USAID LENS is also working with the Municipal Affairs Ministry to develop a public-private partnership manual for all 100 municipalities in Jordan in order to guide them and facilitate business opportunities, according to the organisers.