Amman, November 30th, 2010 - The Development & Free Zones Commission (DFZC) signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the Jordanian National Geographic Center (NGC) on Monday, November 29th 2010. The agreement was signed at the commission's headquarters by DFZC's Chief Commissioner Dr. Bilal Bashir and NGC's General Manager Awni Khasawneh.
Under the agreement, NGC will provide DFZC with comprehensive data as well as digital aerial images and maps of the areas within the commission's operating jurisdiction. The NGC will also modify and customize selected aerial views to create digital orthophotos based on the official Jordanian scale of 1000:1 and alternate versions scaled according to Palestinian standards.
Bashir highlighted the importance of this agreement, explaining that the provision of an integrated geographical database is paramount to several clusters of operation pertaining to development and free zones in the Kingdom, including the creation of viable schematics, the establishment of effective location management within these zones and the formulation of sorting plans to facilitate registrations at the Land and Areas Directorate. These digital plans will also help strengthen the single investment window concept currently being developed and marketed by DFZC and its affiliates.
"The digital geographic database will be made available electronically, which will facilitate information sharing between DZC, development companies, investors and various governing bodies," commented Bashir. "The project will be operated under an official partnership between DFZC and Master Developers."
Khasawneh echoed Bashir's sentiments, explaining that the agreement will preliminarily extend over a period of three years and can be renewed in accordance with the tasks appointed to the DFZC, who has been vested with the responsibility of providing various public and private organizations with the geographical data necessary to undertake their operations. The agreement, he added, underlines NGC's commitment to sustainable development in the Kingdom as outlined by the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
In addition to providing DFZC with comprehensive aerial maps and images, NGC is willing to provide extensive training to DFZC's staff in these fields of expertise, explaining that the center had previously singed similar agreements with a number of public offices in the Kingdom in order to reinforce its role in sustainable development. The center periodically provides its affiliates with the resources and expertise necessary to ensure flawless electronic data sharing in the future.
This agreement will be integral to DFZC's operations within the development and free zones operating under its management and will help the commission achieve its long-term objectives of attracting investments and creating a hospitable investment environment to host various economic ventures. NGC is considered one of the top tier organizations specializing in geographical research, reconnaissance and electronic mapping. The center provides expertise to various private and public interests, in addition to offering consultation and training to individuals specializing in the field.
DFZC is the financially and administratively autonomous entity responsible for creating, regulating, facilitating and monitoring the Development and Free Zones in Jordan. Established in 2008, the DFZC aims at increasing investment into the Kingdom, empowering the private sector to lead in the zones' development and management, stimulating the economic growth and enhancing local living standards.
DFZC's vision is directed and supervised by a Board of Commissioners and supported by a highly qualified team that works in partnership with Master Developers, charged with managing the building, development and operation of the Development and Free Zones.
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© Press Release 2010
