His Majesty King Abdullah II said developing the country's governorates and establishing projects designed to improve standards of living of citizens, should top the priority list of the government, the private sector and civil society institutions. He made his remarks during a lunch he hosted for citizens from various governorates.

The King said he had directed the government to implement developmental projects to improve the level of services provided to citizens and raise their standards of living.

“As of next year, we will start to establish developmental zones in governorates similar to the one in the Mafraq governorate," he said, adding the establishment of hospitals in Zarqa and Baq'a will start immediately.

The King said a number of wastewater projects will be implemented in Sahab, Muwaqqar, Jarash and Karak and dams will be constructed in the governorates of Karak and Ajloun.

Other projects, he said, will include the Amman-Zarqa railway project, the establishment of an industrial estate in Tafilah, continued work on the Disi water conveyance project, the redevelopment of downtown Irbid and the construction of a sports facility in Madaba.

Attendees made a number of proposals to develop their governorates.