AQABA - Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) highlighted on Saturday successful investments in Aqaba following a full day of discussions over means to increase the flow of foreign investments into the Kingdom.
During the opening session of the Aqaba Economic Forum, organised yesterday by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, prominent Arab and local investors agreed that the impact of the global financial crisis is now behind Jordan.
Nasser Sunnaa, the chief executive officer of the Jordan Investment Board, indicated that foreign investments during the first quarter of 2010 reached JD686 million compared to JD256 million in the same period of last year.
Almost 400 participants in the two-day event praised investment regulations in the Kingdom describing the Jordanian market as "flexible" and that it can easily overcome serious crises.
According to Saleh Kamel, the chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kingdom's investment environment is "excellent".
"I have been involved in the Kingdom's market since 1978, and I cannot really recall any criticism," he said.
During the opening ceremony, which was under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, Kamel recommended that concerned authorities should reconsider policies and regulations towards investments in the Islamic banking, health and education sectors.
"I have heard that there are 220,000 job applications in Jordan for this year, hence it is very important to focus on investments by the private sector to meet such demand on jobs," he said.
"The private sector must take the lead to invest in Jordan, Jordan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Nael Kabariti told the forum.
During the first day of the forum, speakers tackled several topics among them were ASEZA's success in attracting investments, plans to enhance the transportation and logistics sectors, and means to maintain quality of education while making profit in addition to tourism investments, industry and trade.
By Khalid Neimat
© Jordan Times 2010
