His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday stressed the importance of development projects as a main pillar to improve the living standards of citizens and eliminate the problems of poverty and unemployment.

During a meeting with several dignitaries and representatives of various entities in Petra, some 260km south of Amman, King Abdullah noted that addressing poverty and unemployment is “at the top of our economic priorities”.

His Majesty stressed the need to make use of the opportunities available in Petra for the best of the area’s residents and to boost the economic and tourism sectors in the Kingdom.

The King highlighted the potential of the old city of Petra as an archaeological, historical and tourist attraction recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

His Majesty noted that concerned parties should exert maximum efforts to preserve the historic legacy of the city.

The King also stressed that the young people of Petra and surrounding areas should be engaged in determining the requirements and priorities set to upgrade the area’s services and infrastructure, in partnership with the private sector to launch further tourism and development projects in the city.

His Majesty highlighted the difficulties facing the economy as a result of regional conditions, especially the crisis in Syria which has put increasing pressure on the Kingdom’s infrastructure, services and key sectors, such as education, health, energy and water.

The King underscored the importance of the Governorates Development Fund, which His Majesty has launched to improve the economic conditions of districts outside the capital, especially at this stage, as an effective tool to boost governorates’ economic activity and help in creating jobs for their residents.

The King noted that all governorates should equally benefit from the fund’s projects, stressing that local community members should coordinate with government institutions and administrative officilas in determining priorities and investment opportunities in each region.

Regarding economic challenges, His Majesty noted that energy is the Kingdom’s main challenge; that is why alternative and renewable energy projects figure high on the Kingdom’s investment map, the King said.

His Majesty also highlighted Jordan’s efforts in confronting radical ideologies and terrorism, exercised by some groups in the name of Islam, which inherently rejects such ideologies.

In this context, the King noted that Jordan is capable of protecting its borders, citizens and higher interests, praising the efforts of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and the security bodies in safeguarding and defending the country.

His Majesty was briefed by the attendees on the main issues related to the region’s development.

In Petra, the King visited Rtd. Colonel Suleiman Mashaaleh who joined the JAF in 1968 and was injured during his military service.

His Majesty checked on Mashaaleh’s health and living conditions.