His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday said that Jordan has defined its targets to be a model of reform and modernization in the region. We have achieved a great lap on the way towards a developed civil society, he added.



During patronage of Jordanian Investment forum, held in Mansion House in the British capital, His Majesty said that the reform process in Jordan seeks to achieve political development through empowering women, finding a human rights center and creating an ambience proper for mass media freedom by establishing a higher council for information.



Along the past years, we have established a partnership between the private and public sectors, the most driving force of growth in the country, the matter which started to be positively reflected on social life, His Majesty clarified.



King Abdullah said that Jordan has taken the course of economic reforms which lead to more openness on powerful economic blocks, such as Europe and America, in addition to expansion of investment attraction activity, which tops the list of Jordan's priorities. He pointed out that a program was set during the World Economic Forum's session at the Dead Sea coast last May, in order to help solve the problems that would face investors. Jordan is witnessing a lot of pioneering investment projects on the human side, such as development of education, linking schools with the internet and development of training in order to enhance graduates' capabilities, His Majesty affirmed.



King Abdudllah said that economic reforms have been reflected on the Jordanian GDP which grew 6,9 percent during the first quarter of this year, in addition to higher volume of exports to USA that reached $ 750m. He said that the British firms have an opportunity to establish investment in Jordan in order to reach the Iraqi market and participate in rebuilding projects.



On his part Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Muhammad Halaiqa reviewed, to representatives of about 120 British firms, the economic reforms Jordan carried out during the past years, the matter which contributed to increasing GDP to $9685m. in 2003, compared by $ 8463 m. in 2000. He pointed out that during 2003 population growth decreased 0,02 percent, and female participation in the working force increased by 1,5 percent , while the number of foreign tourists to Jordan increased 6,1 percent to reach 1,6 m. for last year compared by 1,3 m. for 1999. Halaiqa said that the ratio of external debts decreased from 95,5 percent in 1999 to 76 percent last year.



On her part, Chairperson of Jordan Investment Board, Reem Badran reviewed investment opportunities in Jordan. She said that trade balance between Jordan and Britain is still low particularly on the Jordanian exports to Britain, where exports did not exceed Sterling 1,4 m. during the fist third of last year and Sterling 1,9 m. during the same period of this year.