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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II stressed the importance of the full commitment to the timetable set for the evacuation of the old port site and to prepare the area for the implementation of the third phase of the Marsa Zayed project.

During his visit to the port city of Aqaba on Wednesday, the King stressed the necessity of cooperating with all concerned institutions to complete the evacuation of the old port site and hand it over at the beginning of next September as Marsa Zayed project represents a promising investment value added to the city of Aqaba in particular and Jordan in general as a lucrative investment environment.

On the evacuation process, the King stressed the importance of taking sufficient preventive measures to preserve the environment and ensure the necessary safety procedures, especially with regard to the removal of rubble, which requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.

The King stressed the need to provide high quality services and facilities in the new southern port in a way that ensures swift flow of goods, their storage and transport efficiently, in a bid to boost the competitive privileges of the Aqaba ports regionally.

During the visit, the King was briefed by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Nasser Shraideh, on the main guidelines of the executive plan to evacuate the old port site and the handing-over of the third phase of the Marsa Zayed project.

Shraideh said the old port will be moved after the new site's facilities and adminstrative buildings are prepared before the end of this month, as operating of the new port will is schedulated to kick off the beginning of next month at the southern shore of the Aqaba city in accordance with the best international standards.

He pointed out the construction and development works of the new southern port, which includes nine berths, will end in September this year, after it was planned to be completed in 2045.

On a related context, His Majesty, in presence of Prime Minister Hani Mulki, chaired a meeting at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Commission to follow up progress in a number of strategic projects in Aqaba.

The meeting, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Advisor to the King, Director of His Majesty's Office, King's Advisor for Economic Affairs, and Minister of State for Investment, focused on a range of development, tourism and transport projects.

His Majesty stressed the need to prepare and develop integrated investment packages for projects so they include an ad hoc framework, clear objectives and comprehensive plans and timetables.

The King highlighted the need to develop and diversify tourism products in Aqaba and build on its additional tourist privileges, so it becomes an attractive tourist destination in the region.

During the meeting, His Majesty listened to a summary presented by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZ) Nasser Shraideh on the progress of a number of development projects.

The briefing focused on the railway project which will connect the ports of Aqaba with Maan land port project, scheduled to be implemented within a time-bound three-year period starting this July, at an estimated cost of JD265 million.

The briefing also highlighted a range of tourism projects, especially the tourist train, the tourist boat station, and the development of the Great Arab Revolt square.

In press statements, Shraideh said the King's meeting with the ASEZ Commission focused on progress on a range of its strategic projects, especially the Maan land port, which will be a site for the inspection and customs clearance operations of goods delivered from the Aqaba ports.

Implementation of the Maan land port project will last three years, and will boost competitiveness of Jordanian Red Sea ports, he pointed out.

As for the Marsa Zayed project, he described it as " vital with a huge investment," and will boost Aqaba's competitive position as a tourist destination, as it provides quality hospitality facilities to attract more tourists globally.