Royal Court chief inaugurates new building for Disi women cooperative association

AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Saturday inaugurates the newly constructed building of the Disi Women Cooperative Association, which was built upon Royal directives.

His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania in January of the previous year visited the association to review its programmes aimed at local development and tourism promotion.

The new 400-square-metre facility includes a pottery workshop, an art studio, and a dining hall, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Fully furnished and equipped, the building supports the association's mission to empower local women through service, training, and development projects.

Founded in 2010, the association specialises in pottery and ceramics, sewing training, school readiness programmes, and agricultural initiatives, such as conserving endangered plant species like wormwood, sage, and wild thyme.

A key initiative of the association is its cultural tourism project, which features a productive kitchen offering traditional dishes. 

Visitors can actively participate in meal preparation, creating a unique and immersive tourist experience while providing job opportunities for local women.

In Wadi Rum, Issawi, who also leads the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, assessed the progress of a comprehensive development plan launched under Royal patronage. The plan focuses on tourism development, urban planning, community empowerment, and environmental conservation.

During the visit, Issawi also toured the Rum Village expansion project, which seeks to balance the area’s natural beauty and UNESCO World Heritage status with the demands of population growth. 

As part of the project, 593 plots of land have been allocated to local residents, and infrastructure development, including roads and utilities, was underway.

Issawi also reviewed the Wadi Rum road rehabilitation project, which includes the construction of an 18-kilometre lane parallel to the existing road to improve accessibility and safety. 

The project also incorporates a dedicated bicycle lane and an entrance designed to preserve the region’s ecological integrity. Located 6.5 kilometres from the Desert Highway, the new gateway aims to offer visitors a more immersive experience of Wadi Rum’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.