His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday said commitment to economic reforms, the country’s geo-strategic location and positive relationships make Jordan a logical hub for regional and global trade that businesses can look to with confidence.

“Economic reforms that are already in place will be enforced. Economic reforms that are on the drawing board will be carried forward. This is my commitment, and Jordan’s commitment. And for a simple reason: We know our people’s future depends on it,” King Abdullah told around 150 US business leaders.

Inaugurating the first Jordan-US Business Forum, the King referred to the free trade agreements Jordan enjoys with the US, Canada, Europe, Turkey, Singapore and all Arab countries, as well as the recent decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to welcome Jordan’s bid to join the six-nation bloc.

“The GCC’s response validates Jordan’s excellent regional position, safety and growth potential. We are excited about the future,” the King added.

Jordan has one of the most dynamic and diversified economies in the region, King Abdullah said, adding that the government is doing its utmost to facilitate job creation, productivity and growth.

“Incentive programmes welcome global businesses,” he noted, pointing out that laws and regulations protect foreign companies to the same level as domestic firms.

Highlighting Jordan’s investment in education and infrastructure, King Abdullah referred to the Kingdom’s “young, skilled and motivated” workforce, who “bring valuable knowledge of regional markets, cultures and customers… [and] are also aware of a world far beyond the region’s borders”.

“We have the highest penetration of bilingual English-Arabic speakers in the region,” he told the forum participants, noting that “today’s young Jordanians were raised in a global environment of Internet connectivity and real-time communications”.

This talent provides a market-ready pool for manufacturing, business-process operations, tourism, IT and more, the King added.

He cited alternative energy as another area prepared for expansion, as recent discoveries in Jordan have revealed the 11th-largest uranium deposits in the world, underscoring that now is the time to discuss wind, solar and nuclear power in Jordan’s future since energy security and environmental safety are strong priorities.

“Let me make a bold statement to companies doing business in the region: My country will do what it takes to create growth for you and for us. We will work in public-private partnership... we will provide the resources required to optimise investments... we will sit down with you in dialogue about process, services and goals,” the King said.

Noting that the forum is being held during what he described as “historic events in the region”, King Abdullah stressed that “this year’s short-term dislocations should not take our eyes off the prize: a region of 350 million consumers... key strategic resources... tri-continental access... record economic growth... and vast potential”.

Emphasising the importance of the forum, King Abdullah said growth, jobs and prosperity require the participation of a healthy private sector in the region and investments and partnerships from the global economy.

He stressed that Jordan is determined to move forward with reform and committed to unity, stability and progress.

At the event, attended by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, several officials and several private sector representatives, Minister of Industry and Trade Hani Mulki told the participants that Jordan has always been a stable country in a volatile region.

He also briefed them on the political and economic reforms the Kingdom is embarking on, noting that many investments and businesses have recently shifted to Jordan from other regional countries.

US Undersecretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats, who is heading the US delegation of directors and representatives of major companies in various sectors, said Jordan can serve as a model for the region in political and economic reforms.

Noting that the Kingdom and the US share strong economic partnerships, he indicated that bilateral trade stood at $2.2 billion in 2010, with Jordanian exports to the US market amounting to $1 billion.

Hormats added that US investments in the Amman Stock Exchange are around $1.5 billion, the third largest after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Highlighting the huge opportunities for cooperation between US and Jordanian firms in the field of cutting-edge technologies, the US official stressed that America considers the Kingdom an open country for business.

Hormats said the two-day forum conveys an important message to the world: Jordan is a stable and secure country for business and investments.