His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday launched a plan to establish the Maan Economic Development Zone in the southern governorate to create jobs and alleviate poverty.

The zone is expected to create some 7,000 job opportunities by the end of 2025.

Maan Special Development Zone is the fourth of its kind in the country since the Aqaba Special Economic Zone was created in 2001. In 2006, the King inaugurated a development zone in Mafraq, followed by another in Irbid earlier this year.

Stressing his full support, King Abdullah said he will personally follow up on the implementation of the scheme.