US ambassador visits women-led businesses in Karak

AMMAN — US Ambassador Henry T. Wooster on Wednesday met with local authorities and business leaders in Karak to discuss economic challenges and opportunities, according to US embassy statement.  

Joined by members of the US embassy economic and political teams, he visited women-led businesses, conveying continued US support for inclusive economic growth across Jordan. 

“The United States will continue to work steadfastly with Jordan to facilitate inclusive economic development and create jobs for men and women across the country,” Wooster noted.  He emphasised: “Supporting women’s economic security is high on the agenda of our bilateral cooperation.  The women-led businesses and the young entrepreneurs I met today in Karak are laying a path for growth and opportunity benefiting all Jordanians.” 

Karak Governor Muhammad Khalaf Al Fayez welcomed the Ambassador and praised “the strength of relations” between the two countries. 

He also thanked the ambassador for the visit, which indicates “the strength and depth of relations” between the two peoples. The governor extended appreciation for the support and backing of the US government to Jordan, and for the continuous support provided by the US Agency for International Development to support a number of projects in the Karak Governorate, which include many sectors.

Wooster and Fayez also discussed areas of mutual interest including potential for economic growth in Karak.  

Wooster and the embassy economic team congratulated young business entrepreneurs at Trip to Innovation (TTi), Karak’s first business incubator, on their initiatives and learned about challenges they face in expanding their operations.  

They also visited the all-women Karak branch of Crystel outsourcing contact centre to hear perspectives from founders and staff about women’s workforce participation, economic challenges and goals.  

The embassy team also visited the Zaharat as-Sahra (“the flower of the desert”) Dairy Factory in Ader village, supported by USAID.

Wooster’s visit to Karak follows prior meetings and discussions in Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba to hear a broad range of perspectives from across all of Jordan on key issues of the US-Jordan partnership, including US support for water and economic development, community-based initiatives, women’s economic security and youth empowerment.