His Majesty King Abdullah urged the government on Sunday to work as a team to develop clear and efficient strategies to confront the Kingdom's challenges.

Chairing a Cabinet meeting Sunday, King Abdullah said he reviewed with Prime Minister Nader Dahabi challenges facing the Kingdom and objectives that should top the government's agenda.

The King added that the government will draft programmes to achieve these objectives in accordance with a fixed time frame.

King Abdullah said improving the country's economic performance is a major priority in light of the global economic crisis, adding that economic reform could not take place without political reform.

“Reform and political development is our enterprise and democracy is our option,” he said.

King Abdullah also directed the government to draft a programme to implement reforms, referring specifically to the regions programme, which was announced in 2005 with a view to decentralising government by creating provincial administrations run by publicly elected local councils.

Dahabi responded that the government plans to allocate the finances required to implement the project in the 2010 state budget. The programme is expected to have a positive impact on development as it will involve local communities in the decision-making process in the Kingdom's three regions: northern, central and southern.

The King said it is important that ministers communicate with citizens to explain their strategies and plans to enhance living conditions.

Citizens are aware of the challenges and are ready to weather challenges if they sense transparency and seriousness on the part of the government, especially in light of the current global economic climate, King Abdullah said.

The King stressed the importance of ministers engaging in fieldwork in order to build bridges of communication with citizens.

Addressing Cabinet members, King Abdullah said he expects ministers to work in the field to hear citizens' concerns and to explain to them the government's or the ministries' strategies to reduce the burdens shouldered by the public.

The King also spoke about the agricultural sector, saying that the strategy he directed the government to draft to improve the sector will require years of work. Therefore, in light of the difficulties the sector is witnessing, King Abdullah said he will discuss with the premier measures required from the government to support farmers.

During the meeting, King Abdullah said he was optimistic about the economic situation, noting that everyone is required to coordinate and cooperate.

“If all work in a team spirit and in accordance with well-studied programmes, we will see what is better,” said the King, expressing confidence in the government.

At the meeting, Dahabi said the government is intensifying field visits to check on citizens' needs and demands and involve them in the decision-making process.

The premier said creating jobs and addressing challenges the Kingdom faces are the government's top priorities.

In spite of the global financial crisis, Dahabi said, the Kingdom's economic performance in 2008 was strong as the growth rate stood at 6 per cent, exports rose by 38 per cent, debt was reduced by $1.7 billion and the state budget deficit was reduced along with the unemployment rate.

The premier said the country's reserve of hard currency exceeded $8 billion, while tourism revenues had surged.

Dahabi stressed that Jordan is still capable of attracting investments in spite of the ramifications of the global financial crisis.

The premier also spoke about the educational sector, saying that the government is focusing on building schools, enhancing teachers' living conditions and expanding classrooms. He added that the government will present an amended universities law to Parliament in the upcoming extraordinary session.

Dahabi said that the government has adopted a renewable energy strategy, adding that it is also pursuing water security through several strategic water plans.

He said the government also plans expand the number of citizens covered by health insurance, noting that Al Bashir Hospital and Zarqa Public Hospital will be expanded and supplied with new medical equipment.

Dahabi also said that the government is committed to “Decent House for Decent Living” initiative, and seeking to aid citizens with long-term loans.

Several ministers at the meeting reviewed their ministries' plans and programmes to improve services.