His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday stressed the strong Jordan-US economic ties, affirming keenness on enhancing them in all fields.
In remarks at the US Chamber of Commerce, attended by a number of Jordanian businessmen, the King said the meeting provided an important opportunity to deepen and expand the long-standing Jordanian-US relationship.
“I am here to tell you that Jordan is open for business. Not only despite the Arab Spring, but also because of the Arab Spring; a season of transition, growth, turbulence, and hope,” the King said.
His Majesty added that no one can deny that the historic events in the Middle East over the past year have indeed created some economic dislocations, made all the more painful by the global crisis.
“The Arab Spring has been very costly to many markets, weakened investors’ confidence, caused a dramatic decline in tourism receipts in many countries. Resources that could have been allocated to boost development and growth had to be rechanneled towards emergency social spending and fiscal challenges,” King Abdullah said.
Despite the economic dislocations caused by the Arab Spring, the regional situation has provided Jordan with an opportunity to press ahead with accelerated reforms. “In Jordan, we have been listening. We began the difficult task of comprehensive, structural reform more than decade ago, but over the past year we accelerated, expanded and deepened reforms.”
Hinging on the “solid pillars of the rule of law, justice, human rights and freedoms,” Jordan’s reform process aims at establishing parliamentary government, the King pointed out, adding that “Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh and his team are working hard to implement a political reform roadmap that can help position Jordan as a regional model for evolutionary and peaceful democratisation. “
His Majesty said the first major milestones - amendments to one third of the entire Constitution and a bill for an independent elections commission - have already been achieved. “The irreversible democratic change we seek in my country means more than establishing new structures. It means embedding a way of life – the active responsibility of participating in political parties; creating political, economic, and social platforms; and working with others to find common ground and build consensus.”
Countries emerging from the Arab Spring have tremendous needs, but at the same time also some solid economic foundations and resources. “They are now eager to rebuild and relaunch, and to forge new partnerships. And this is where Jordan comes in – as a strategically positioned open bridge between you and them, a natural partner in rebuilding efforts,” His Majesty told the US Chamber of Commerce.
His Majesty noted Jordan’s policy of openness, national investments in infrastructure and education, free-trade agreements and regulatory reform to support private-sector-led growth.
Describing Jordan’s workforce as “young, skilled, and knowledgeable of regional markets, cultures and customers,” the King said “today's young Jordanians were raised in a global environment of internet connectivity and real-time communications.”