ASEZA chief calls for more US support to Aqaba

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) chief commissioner Kamel Mahadin on Wednesday welcomed the American Ambassador in Amman, Alice Wells, currently on a two-day visit to the city.
The U.S. Ambassador expressed her country's support to ASEZA, a part of the partnership and strategic support provided by the US, especially financial.
During her visit to Aqaba, Wells looked into major projects such as Marsa Zayed, Ayla Oasis, Saraya Aqaba, Tala Bay, Jordan's Port System and several others funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mahadin outlined, in the presence of ASEZA's Commissioner for Economic Development & Investment Affairs Sharhabeel Madi and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) Chief Executive Officer's deputy Bashar Abu Rumman, economic situation in Aqaba as a special economic area to make the investment environment more attractive, offering multiple investment incentives.
He praised the ability of the new Ports' System, aimed at catering to the Kingdom's future needs in sea transportation and save money for the state's budget by finding alternatives to imported gas, which is the main source of energy source and entails high cost.
The top official of ASEZA asserted that the Zone, which represents a royal approach to support Jordan's economy, has paid off as its total investments -- those that have been executed and others in the process of execution -- have reached about $20 billion.
Mahadin said that Aqaba Authority pays maximum attention to the development of the local community and enable it to take advantage of the growing career opportunities in the Aqaba Zone due to the increasing volume of investment projects being implemented.
He described the USAID's help as a catalyst for development of all the sectors, especially in water and education fields, calling for further support, particularly in training and workforce development of at the Authority, institutions and subsidiaries, at the level of middle management.