His Majesty King Abdullah II returned home Saturday following a three-day working visit to the United Kingdom during which he patronized the Jordanian Investment Forum organized by Jordan Investment Board (JIB) and hosted by Mayor of the financial district in London.



The King's participation affirms the attention given by His Majesty to develop national economy and promote investment in Jordan.



Jordan, over the past years, has established a partnership between the private and the public sector which forms the most important dynamics of economic growth in the Kingdom, King Abdullah said.



Addressing representatives of over 120 British companies, who attended a presentation on investment in Jordan at Mansion House, King Abdullah said economic reforms in Jordan have led to more openness to major economic blocs mainly the EU and the U.S. and have attracted more investment which tops our priorities in the Kingdom.



In a bid to encourage British investment in Jordan, King Abdullah said there is a big opportunity for British firms to launch investment ventures in Jordan and to be able to reach the Iraqi market and take part in joint projects within Iraq's rebuilding process.



As part of his drive to expound Jordan and the Arab stand vis-a-vis issues in the region, King Abdullah made a statement before members of the Anglo-Arab Organization in which he affirmed that peace, freedom, and tolerance, "are the deepest, humanistic values of the Arab World. It is a heritage that created the Golden Age of Islam, a multi-ethnic civilization, that made historic advances in scholarship and civic development." "Today, this Arab Islamic heritage is driving a new era of progress in the Middle East," King Abdullah told his audience. "In Jordan, an extensive reform program is well underway. We are determined to help our people achieve their potential, in every sphere," King Abdullah said. " In the economy, we have encouraged innovation, enterprise, and partnership with the private sector. In education, we are empowering youth to compete on a global basis, the King said noting that Jordan's path can also show others what a homegrown, Arab-Islamic model can accomplish. This is essential if our region is to find an effective path towards economic development and democracy, the King added. "Most Arabs agree that reform is vital.



We also agree that for reform to succeed, it must emerge from within our own societies, the King said. We all agree on supporting the Middle East peace process in a way that guarantees the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state and security for Israel and paves the ground for a comprehensive settlement on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, King Abdullah said.