His Majesty King Abdullah II was briefed on the course of action in carrying out the economic and social transformation plan launched by the government last month.

During the meeting on Thursday with Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb and members of the economic team, the King reiterated the need to speed up the implementation of laws and policies included in the government s plan aiming at encouraging private sector s investments and ensure the institutionalization of control and organization and an investment-attracting climate.

Prime Minister Abul Ragheb reviewed the main features of next year s budget, reiterating the importance given by the government to implement the economic and social transformation plan.

He pointed out that growth rate for 2001 reached 4 per cent, exports increased by 21 per cent and investments increased by 22 per cent.