His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday stressed the need to take more steps to improve citizens' living standards and secure a better future for them.



Chairing part of a weekly Cabinet meeting, King Abdullah said “much has been achieved so far,” but the coming stage requires “fast-paced steps towards a vigorous” relaunch of the national economy, which should meet current difficult challenges in the region.



His Majesty the King added that such efforts should also help Jordan alleviate poverty and unemployment as well as achieve economic growth.



Meanwhile, King Abdullah urged the government to make sure that all basic commodities are available in the market at reasonable prices during the Holy Month of Ramadan.



For his part, Prime Minister Adnan Badran said the government has been working hard to realize King Abdullah's vision to speed up reforms in all aspects.



Badran added that the government took several steps to achieve financial reform, especially in light of the soaring international oil prices and the decline in foreign aid.



He stressed that the government was fighting financial and administrative corruption, including wasta and favouritism.



The premier and several ministers reviewed plans and programmes in the fields of energy, water, transport, social development, tourism and judicial development.



The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez as well as Deputy Director of National Security and acting Director of the King's Office Marouf Bakhit.

The Jordan Times