King urges gov’t to build on outcome of WEF meeting

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday stressed the need for following up on the outcome of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which the Kingdom hosted on May 21-23 at the Dead Sea.

During a meeting with the government's economic team, the King expressed his appreciation of the government's efforts to aptly prepare for the event during the past months, which led to the success of the gathering and the launch of several projects and investments. 

King Abdullah underscored the importance of the projects announced, estimated at $6.9 billion, and the package of investment opportunities Jordan presented to investors valued at around $20 billion, according to a Royal Court statement.  The proposals were made at a special session titled “Jordan Relaunched”.

The projects are expected to boost the national economy, propel the development drive and provide more than 180,000 jobs for Jordanian youths, the King said.

His Majesty stressed the importance of building on the outcome of “Jordan Relaunched”, adding that the deals concluded and the opportunities showcased hold proof of the country's ability to embrace successful investments despite current regional circumstances.

King Abdullah expressed his appreciation of the “collective and outstanding” efforts of the various public and private institutions which contributed to the success of the forum.

King Abdullah reiterated that the government should take all steps and measures necessary to implement the various projects and to promote investment opportunities announced at the forum. 

In parallel, the government should remove all obstacles and guarantee stable legislation and taxation regulations, in a manner that boosts cooperation with the private sector, the King noted, highlighting the importance of these steps to serve public interests, and promote and draw further investments. 

King Abdullah urged the economic team and concerned parties to build an efficient relation with the private sector, at the local, regional and international levels, and to look for ways that can stimulate economic growth at the medium and long term. 

He asserted the need to boost public-private sector partnerships and to ensure the government's direct contact with the business and investment sectors in Jordan and abroad, the statement said. 

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, who was present at the meeting, highlighted the government's plan and measures to upgrade the economy and to build on the outcome of the forum. 

Noting that the success achieved at the forum attests to the strength and the soundness of the economy, Ensour highlighted the efforts of the various public and private institutions, which worked “in the spirit of one team” to facilitate the convening of the 9th WEF meeting at the Dead Sea this year.

Moreover, Enour highlighted government projects and plans during the coming stage in various sectors, especially energy, water, transport, and ICT.  

Economic team members and ministers highlighted the projects that their ministries are working on in order to achieve comprehensive development, through setting up high-quality service projects that can meet citizens' needs, draw more investments and increase the competitiveness of the economy, according to the statement. 

They also highlighted steps that will be taken to mitigate difficulties and remove the various constraints impeding investments, in a manner that can consolidate the country's position and ratings in international economic indexes, especially those related to economic competitiveness and the ease of doing business. 

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury said the King stressed the importance of following up on all what was achieved at the forum. 

He mainly highlighted the need to preserve the momentum, which he said has been increasing with the announcement of investment opportunities, under the slogan of “Jordan Relaunched” and part of efforts to implement the economic blueprint “Jordan 2025”. 

Energy Minister Ibrahim Saif told Petra that the meeting also addressed steps to be taken to materialise energy projects announced at the forum. 

Besides these two ministers, the meeting was attended by Water Minister Hazem Nasser, Finance Minister Umayya Toukan, Transport Minister Lina Shbeeb, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali, GAM's Mayor Aqel Biltaji, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Chief Commissioner Hani Mulki and Jordan Investment Commission President Montaser Oqlah.