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Ammon News - Deputizing for the Prime Minister, Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Nasser Shraideh, attended on Sunday in Aqaba city the signing ceremony of 5 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) and Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG).

Under the agreements, ADPG contributes to developing the tourism, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure sectors in the city of Aqaba.

These agreements, which constitute a milestone in the strategic Jordanian-UAE cooperation, aim to develop Aqaba's Marsa Zayed area, cruise ship terminal, launch an advanced digital system for the port system, modernize King Hussein International Airport (KHIA), and develop a multi-purpose port.

Shraideh said these agreements reflect His Majesty King Abdullah II's directives to make Aqaba a tourist, trade and investment destination on the Red Sea, and embody the "distinguished" bilateral relations.

Agreements include the implementation of a number of investment projects, most notably is Marsa Zayed project, which is a major tourism project that will create more quality tourism services and products that will enable Jordan to attract more tourists from various regional and international markets, according to Shraideh.

The other important project is the establishment of a cruise ship terminal that is connected with KHIA development, which will enable Aqaba to be a destination for cruise tourism and provide quality services to enable tourists to visit Aqaba and the Golden Triangle in Rum and Petra, he pointed out.

The other projects, he noted, also seek to develop Aqaba's port system and a multi-purpose port, which will increase trade movement through Aqaba's ports to regional and world markets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)) and ADC, Nayef Bakhit, said the agreements reflect Royal directives to make Aqaba and Jordan the gateway to a "bright" future.

Bakit expressed confidence that these projects will enhance Aqaba's position as a regional port and make Aqaba a global tourist destination.

The cost of completing the Marsa Zayed project exceeds about JD6 billion , which will benefit Aqaba and the Jordanian economy and provide job opportunities for Jordanian youth, according to Bakit.

These agreements constitute an "important" addition to efforts to develop the Aqaba region, which will support action to increase the number of travelers and tourists wishing to travel to Golden Triangle region in Jordan, with its unique tourist potentials in Wadi Rum,Aqaba and the historic city of Petra, he pointed out.

For his part, Mohammed Juma Al Shamsi, ADPG CEO said this "strategic" alliance supports efforts of Abu Dhabi's wise leadership and its vision aimed at strengthening cooperation relations with Arab countries, and supporting them in building "advanced" infrastructure that contribute to developing tourism and trade sectors and enhance their capability to access "key" global markets.
"We are confident that the mega projects that will be implemented under these agreements constitute a valuable addition to the development programs for the trade, logistics and tourism sectors that have been announced during the past few years in Jordan, " Al Shamsi pointed out.

"These ambitious projects, which are implemented in close cooperation with partners in Aqaba Development Corporation, will contribute to expansion and modernization of marine, air and land facilities available to travelers and companies, to consolidate Aqaba’s position as a major regional center, and supports the Kingdom's economic development plans, " Al Shamsi noted.