Aqaba development is about people — commissioner

AMMAN — Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Commissioner Kamel Mahadin this week said that “the human factor” is key to the success of Aqaba’s experience as a special economic zone.

Speaking as a panellist at an event held during the October 27-29 Global Trade Development Week in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in Dubai, Mahadin reviewed ASEZA’s experiment in infrastructure development, noting that the zone was established in 2002 to realise His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision to render Aqaba a global investment and tourism destination on the Red Sea and a development engine and economic leveller for Jordan, according to an ASEZA statement sent to The Jordan Times. 

He emphasised that Aqaba, 330km south of Amman, now boasts “highly developed infrastructure” with the addition of upgrades and new facilities, underlining the adoption of a comprehensive master plan as a priority for ASEZA to ensure that Aqaba development is sustainable and meets the future needs of the area. 

Mahadin referred to the human factor as “a key element in sustainable development”, noting that ASEZA has adopted the slogan “Hands Painting Cities”, where the port city’s residents are actively involved in beautifying the seaside town.

According to the chief commissioner, this motto underlines the importance of engaging local community members in all aspects of the development process. 

The second Annual Global Trade Development Week, sponsored by ASEZA and the Aqaba Development Corporation, attracted the participation of 600 representatives of 90 countries.