Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated the new free zone at Queen Alia International Airport, which will be a trade and investment hub for various sectors, offering a comprehensive package of logistical services to support investment and exports.

The free zone was revamped at a cost of JD38 million, extending over an area of 1,000 dunums, in line with government plans to bolster the investment climate in Jordan.

The old free zone at the airport had been established in 1998 and extended over and area of 30 dunums.

A video was screened during King Abdullah’s visit that highlighted the construction phases of the new free zone, which offers a business-friendly environment, tax incentives, and a logistical centre for importing and re-exporting.

Over the next five years, the number of direct job opportunities offered at the free zone is expected to increase from 300 to 3,500, while the number of indirect jobs is expected to rise from 600 to 4,000.

Some 59 local, Arab, and international companies currently have investments in the free zone, which includes an administrative building that houses a one-stop shop for investors, two business parks for commercial offices; a logistical services building for customs clearance and insurance companies, banks, and restaurants; and a customs clearance area.

His Majesty, accompanied by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, also toured the one-stop shop for investors and was briefed on the services it provides by streamlining measures and registering projects in a timely manner.

The King was also briefed on the measures taken by the Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) to reach out to investors to resolve pending issues and a specialised follow-up unit to maintain communication with local and international investors.

JIC Chairman Khaled Wazani said the commission is also reworking procedures in line with His Majesty’s vision to attract investors and ensure follow-up with them before and after they invest in the Kingdom through a monitoring and evaluation mechanism aimed at increasing investor satisfaction.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Adviser to His Majesty for Communication Coordination Bisher Khasawneh, and Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kemal Al Nasser attended the inauguration.