ASEZA chief focuses on partnership at Abu Dhabi Forum
(ANSA) – Abu Dhabi, December 13 – The Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Professor Kamel Mahadin, gave the keynote speech at the Abu Dhabi Annual Business Group Forum entitled Partners in Excellence.
“The fierce competition we face today globally and the continuous need for creative financing options for strategic infrastructure projects for counties such as Jordan make what we do very much about entrepreneurship, partnership, and innovation,” Dr. Mahadin said. “(These are the) three principles that we work by in Aqaba”.
He emphasized the importance of the exceptional ties that Jordan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy and which are rapidly growing in all fields, especially the economic sector.
Held on December 11 in Abu Dhabi and organized by the Jordan Business Council-Abu Dhabi, and the Irish Business Council-Abu Dhabi, the forum saw the first participation of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council as a co-host, thus providing a unique opportunity to highlight Abu Dhabi women’s role in business and the participation of over 27 business groups and their member companies.
“I will talk to you today about Aqaba, a royal vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II that was transformed into reality in 2001 as Aqaba was launched as a Special Economic Zone,” Mahadin said in his address. “Aqaba, I am proud to say, has successfully attracted over $20 billion in investments”.
Mahadin highlighted the Aqaba ports’ community developments taking place in Aqaba and listed major achievements and developments that Aqaba has witnessed in the tourism, transport and logistics and real-estate sectors. “I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation for His Royal Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed AL Nahyyan and to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and congratulate the UAE, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and all other Emirates on winning the right to host Expo 2020,” he said. “It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the great appreciation and respect that the people of Jordan and Aqaba hold for the Emirati people, as the Marsa Zayed project develops into an amazing pearl decorating Aqaba’s heart and beaches”.
Marsa Zayed is a $10 billion Expo 2020 real-estate-tourism development project on a 3.2 million square meters of land on Aqaba’s northern beach.
“As our region is passing through some of its most challenging times politically, economically and socially, allow me to quote His Majesty King Abdullah II here,” added Mahadin.
“Our region has a destination today: a strong and stable future in which all our people can thrive. “We need a wide path, a sure path, welcoming millions of people to move forward.
“Key to finding this path is economic stability and prosperity. “As we face immense pressure to create better future for the young men and women in our countries Jordan’s economic reform policies have earned global support. “At the heart of Jordan’s economic reform strategy lays the launch of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone in 2001 as a world-class business hub and leisure destination on the Red Sea offering numerous investment opportunities in a competitive business environment.” Mahadin invited all the forum participants to visit Aqaba and explore the investment opportunities it offers.