His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday was briefed on progress in several projects by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) being implemented as part of the comprehensive master plan for the area.

During a meeting at the Royal Court, attended by Prime Minster Marouf Bakhit and Royal Court Chief Khalid Karaki, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Issa Ayoub outlined the plans the authority has on the drawing board for the new Aqaba port as well as the tourism investment projects, expected to be completed during this year.

The older location of the port in the centre of the port city has been sold to a developer to turn into a huge tourism scheme, while a new port is planned on the southern side of the city.

Ayoub stressed the importance of the projects being implemented in line with the master plan, which, he said, is constantly reviewed to stimulate the investment environment in Aqaba and enhance its role as a regional logistic hub.

The new Aqaba port, which will be built a distance from the traffic density witnessed in the city, will provide storage space for goods and grain silos, Ayoub said, adding that blueprints and the environmental assessment for the project have been prepared.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Industry and Trade Hani Mulki, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan, Minister of Transport Mohannad Qudah, King’s Adviser Amer Hadidi and Aqaba Development Corporation’s CEO Mohammad Turk.