His Majesty King Abdullah II on Sunday called for more investment and developmental projects that could reflect positively on people's lives and better the services offered to citizens.

In remarks the King made while chairing a meeting at the Royal Court devoted to review projects that have been carried out within the Economic and Social Transformation Program (ESTP), King Abdullah stressed the necessity to pursue investment work in educating and qualifying Jordanian citizens and encouraging them to be more productive with the aim of creating a national economy conducive to more productivity and knowledge acquisition.

The meeting also discussed ESTP plans and projects for its second year 2003.

Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb said his government is moving ahead to implement ESTP projects and financial allocations for the program have been secured either through grants or privatization revenues.

He said there was no need for loaning to fund the program.

A Royal letter was sent to Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb on Oct 25, 2001 ordering the government to prepare an economic and social transformation program designed to improve standards of living and curb pressing issues such poverty and employment and improve public services. The government worked out the program and presented it to King Abdullah on Nov. 15, 2001.

Work on the program started early 2002 and spendings on the program have been secured with no need to loaning.

During the meeting which was attended by Prime Minister, Royal Court Chief and Finance Minister, Planning Minister Basem Awadallah gave an account on ESTP projects that have been carried out during its first year. The projects focused on water, education, youth and human resources sectors, he said. In the course of the program, the government has also carried a set of significant financial, administrative, educational and judicial reforms, the minister said. The program also includes governorates development in terms of improving services to citizens, developing infrastructure and increasing productivity, Awadallah said.

He pointed out that the projects' total cost amounted to JD130 m. spent on a well-chosen projects designed to fight poverty and employment as well as augmenting productivity particularly in the governorates.

Next year, the second year of the program, will see more projects and over JD200 m. would be spent on these projects.