His Majesty King Abdullah announced Tuesday that an electronics factory is being set up in Mafraq, creating some 1,000 jobs.

He said the plant will help alleviate unemployment and poverty in the governorate.

The government will design a programme to train Mafraq residents on the required skills to work at the industrial facility, King Abdullah told tribal community leaders at a meeting in central Mafraq District.

King Abdullah also gave instructions for the establishment of a military hospital in the area and to supply the existing Mafraq Public Hospital with medical cadres and equipment to improve the quality of its services.

The King also gave orders for the creation of a model school to replace three rented schools in the area.

He said he would visit the area next year to inaugurate the projects he ordered to be implemented.

Mafraq community leaders called for enhancing services in the educational, health, infrastructure, agricultural, youth and women's sectors.

Noting that more than 24 per cent of the schools in the area occupy rented and old buildings, residents called for creating new schools that enjoy appropriate facilities and are fully equipped with educational tools.

They also called for establishing a vocational training centre to train residents of the area to benefit from the jobs created by the Mafraq Economic Development Zone.

Mafraq community leaders also called for building healthcare centres and supplying the existing ones with the required medical equipment.

Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, who replied to these, among other demands, pledged that the government would study the fulfilment of the residents' needs and demands in accordance with a specific time frame.

During his tour, King Abdullah visited Jaafar Al Tayar Basic School for Boys, toured classes and listened to the needs of the students and teachers and the problems facing them.