His Majesty King Abdullah met on Sunday with local community leaders and key figures in Karak Governorate, as part of ongoing public outreach meetings.

Speaking at the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, King Abdullah expressed keenness on continuing field visits to meet with Jordanians across the governorates, especially after the lifting of COVID-related restrictions.

His Majesty said a return to normalcy requires that all receive the vaccine, especially school and university students, stressing the need to develop the economy while maintaining efforts to counter the pandemic.

The King noted his instructions to the government to address socioeconomic challenges and to work to utilise available investment opportunities, in addition to streamlining measures for the private sector.

In addition, His Majesty called for placing further emphasis on the tourism sector as a major contributor to the economy, underlining the need to capitalise on Karak’s manufacturing, agricultural, and tourism potential.

The King said Jordan continues to have a pivotal role in the region, citing strong political cooperation with Egypt and Iraq, as well as efforts to develop economic cooperation, in collaboration with Gulf Arab countries.

The attendees commended His Majesty’s outreach efforts, which highlight local communities’ needs, lauding the King’s key role in defending the Palestinian cause and safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

They also highlighted a number of concerns and needs to improve living conditions in the southern governorate of Karak, calling for more development projects to create job opportunities and counter poverty.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Atef Hajaya, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Hneiti, and Public Security Department Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh attended the meeting.