His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said reform in the Middle East was “accelerating.”

“And that's very largely the result of an inclusive process, one that taps the energies of individuals throughout society,” King Abdullah told the Asia-Middle East Business Forum here.

“I meet and work with people from the private sector, from NGOs, from universities, and more — and I can tell you, there's a real sense of purpose and dynamism. It's a new kind of energy sector. The energy of people-first policies, and new hope.”

Addressing representatives of the private sectors in the two regions, the King said Jordan was committed to providing “an enabling environment for progress.”

“We are serious about combating corruption, which is an enemy of public confidence and drains a nation's resources. And we are strengthening the economic infrastructure for global growth and presence,” he stressed.

“We want to make it easy for people and enterprises to interact, exchange ideas and work together. This kind of partnership is a vehicle for opportunity on both sides, bringing two-way benefits.”

Also on Wednesday, His Majesty the King held separate talks with Singapore President S.R. Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on means to enhance bilateral ties, especially in the trade, investment and IT sectors.

King Abdullah said Jordan was interested in Singapore's economic experience. He noted that Singapore empowered the private sector to play a key role in the development process.

The King said Jordan and Singapore have several features in common, including the population size, lack of natural resources and reliance on human resources as the basis of economic development.

The two countries signed a free trade agreement last May during the World Economic Forum meeting at the Dead Sea.

King Abdullah briefed the Singaporean leaders on Jordan's future plans, highlighting the National Agenda of socio-economic and political reforms.

The King also said reform in the Middle East is a challenge and a vital process that should be led by the private sector.

Reiterating that reforms in the Arab world should come from within, King Abdullah urged the international community to contribute to a solution to the political crises in the region, particularly the Palestinian issue, which is likely to hinder the process if it remains unsolved.

The Jordan Times