Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan stressed the need to intensify efforts and strengthen coordination and integration among all relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of economic, development, and tourism projects in Aqaba, while continuing to empower the private sector and investors and create an enabling environment for investment.
During a meeting held Sunday at Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), the Prime Minister noted that the pace of work and progress in Aqaba is gaining significant momentum, driven by His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision and the close follow-up of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. He stressed the importance of building on these efforts to capitalize on opportunities and advance the objectives of the Economic Modernisation Vision.
Hassan said Aqaba is a key cornerstone for major strategic projects in the water, energy, transport, and railway sectors, whose impact will extend across the Kingdom. He noted that the coming months will see the start of implementation of the National Water Carrier and railway projects, following extensive government efforts to put both projects on track, given their national, economic, and developmental importance.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need to accelerate the development and expansion of Aqaba’s ports and logistics services in shipping and storage to strengthen the city’s competitiveness in the region. He also highlighted the importance of developing public beaches and focusing on events and programs that promote both domestic and international tourism.
During the meeting, which was attended by the Ministers of Transport and Energy, the Minister of State for Economic Affairs, the Chairman of Aqaba Development Corporation, and ADC officials, the Prime Minister reviewed progress on the economic, investment, and development projects being implemented by the Corporation.
The meeting followed the Prime Minister’s inauguration of the Aqaba Gas Quay Station and the Southern Industrial Complex, the laying of the foundation stone for the Shore-Based Regasification Terminal project, and his visit to the Aqaba Marine Reserve.
Hassan highlighted the importance of the gas projects inaugurated in supporting and empowering national industries and enhancing their competitiveness. The projects form part of a government strategy to supply natural gas to cities and industrial clusters across the Kingdom, with the aim of reducing their energy costs by between 35% and 60%.
He commended the efforts to develop Aqaba and strengthen its economic, developmental, tourism, and logistics role locally and regionally, stressing that significant work remains ahead, guided by a clear vision, high-impact projects, strong determination, and the capacity to deliver.
During the meeting, ADC Chief Executive Officer Hussein Safadi and the Corporation’s team presented an overview of current and future plans and projects across the logistics, ports, real estate, transport, and other sectors. They also outlined ADC’s role as the investment and development arm of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and its strategy aligned with the outcomes of the Economic Modernisation Vision.
Safadi highlighted that ADC has recently completed a number of strategic and vital projects and signed several agreements and partnerships with local and international private-sector entities in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and Al Quweira Industrial Zone. These initiatives aim to develop the region, attract foreign investment, and strengthen Aqaba’s economic, tourism, and investment position.
He also reviewed the Corporation’s efforts in managing and overseeing the port system, in coordination with government entities and the Ministry of Transport, to ensure efficient port operations, resilient supply chains, smooth cargo and shipping flows, logistics services, and transit trade.
