Aqaba: Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Thursday inspected nine economic and development sites across Aqaba and laid foundation stones for two strategic projects, an ammonia storage tank and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facility.
According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with the board of commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Hassan described Aqaba as a cornerstone of Jordan's economy with major strategic projects ahead, calling for intensified efforts to support and implement them. Earlier in the day, the prime minister toured several sites including the Durra border crossing development project, the new Aqaba Port, Aqaba Container Terminal, and an emergency and ambulance center, among others.
Hassan stated that Aqaba should serve as a model for the future of Jordan by applying advanced systems, global best practices, and cutting-edge technologies that can later be replicated across the country. He stressed the importance of prioritizing services for residents and visitors alike, in line with Aqaba's growing economy. The prime minister noted Aqaba's long-standing strategic importance, highlighting the attention it has received from King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein over the past 25 years.
He outlined several major strategic projects to be launched from Aqaba, including the National Water Carrier Project and a railway line connecting Aqaba to the mining hubs of Shidiya and Ghor al-Safi, as well as large-scale port and logistics developments. He emphasized the need to implement these projects to support national economic growth and job creation in line with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision.
During the meeting, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Shadi Al-Majali reaffirmed the authority's commitment to supporting projects that build on Aqaba's achievements over the past two decades and serve the broader national economy. While visiting the Durra border crossing, Hassan was briefed on progress at the site, which handles around 100,000 travelers monthly.
At the new Aqaba Port, the prime minister inspected nine berths, with the port's handling capacity reaching 6 million tonnes annually, a 9% increase over last year. Hassan also visited the Aqaba Container Terminal, where a $242 million investment deal was signed last October to upgrade the terminal into a green port. At the JPMC industrial complex, Hassan laid the foundation stone for a new ammonia storage tank and two LPG storage tanks, aiming to improve storage and distribution efficiency.
During his visit to the JPMC emergency and ambulance center, Hassan praised the facility's free services for industrial workers and the local community. He also visited the Aqaba Marine Reserve International Center, part of efforts to make Aqaba a global hub for marine conservation. The prime minister's tour included a stop at the Aqaba International Exhibition Center and the Aqaba International Racetrack, both aiming to boost tourism.
A briefing presented to the prime minister outlined Aqaba's recent growth and future projections across sectors including population, healthcare, education, tourism, industry, and port operations. Aqaba currently hosts 12 ports, 30 berths, and four industrial zones, with container traffic and registered companies projected to increase significantly by 2028. In tourism, hotel rooms and average tourist stays are expected to rise, while the city's population and healthcare facilities are also set to expand.