His Majesty King Abdullah II affirmed the importance for the United Stats to open channels of dialogue with the private sector in the Arab world, and stimulate it to take part in achieving sustainable development in the region's countries.



His Majesty, who chaired a working session with representatives of the private sector of Arab countries within activities of the second day of the World Economic Forum, in the presence of US Secretary of State Colin Powell, reviewed the role of the Jordanian private sector and its contribution to achieving many accomplishments in the economic and trade sectors through partnership with the public sector.



Prime Minister Faisal Al Fayez, who took part in the session that was also attended by the Hashemite Royal Court Minister and the ministers of foreign affairs and planning and international cooperation, said that the achievement of progress and prosperity should reflect on the life of peoples and improve their standards of living. He noted that solving problems of the region is key to achieving political and economic reform.



The US Secretary of State, on His part, presented his country's visions and policies on the issues of the region, as well as its keenness to find solutions of them. He affirmed that reform in the region should come from within the region itself and with the support of the US.



Representatives of the private sector, who presented their visions for the region's future and the reform process, valued His Majesty King Abdullah's role in establishing the Arab Business Council during the WEF which was held in Jordan last year.



They affirmed their keenness to extend bridges of cooperation with the regional and international institutions to achieve comprehensive development in the region.



Talks during the session also covered the role of women in the Arab world and efforts being exerted to empower women and enhance their role in the society.



The King also reviewed during the session, the major accomplishments that have been achieved by Jordan in the economic and social fields, and the current efforts to enhance the march of sustainable development.



His Majesty affirmed, during two working sessions that had been attended by business and trade leaders, that Jordan enjoys a competitiveness privilege represented in the qualified and trained manpower and the prevalence of education especially in the IT field. "Ireland and Singapore set a model for other in this regard," he said.



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Mohammad Halaiqah presented a briefing on the investment window at the Jordan Investment Board (JIB). He said that the investment window will present its services to projects that emerge from the Investment Promotion Law within the sectors of industry, agriculture, hotels, hospitals, maritime transport, railways, tourism promotion, conferences centers and fairs.



On his part, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Bassim Awadallah presented a briefing on Jordan's economy, and its reform programs, noting the substantial results that have been achieved in this regard with an active private sector participation.



He also noted progress in the educational field which conforms with the needs of the market, a fact which contributed to increasing productivity in the manpower field and achieve sustainable development.



The minister touched on efforts being exerted to achieve political and social development, enhance the rights of women and guarantee their participation in building the society.