Economy
 

For a new and small country Jordan has consistently played a vital role in the Middle East on various fronts, stemming from the visionary leadership of the Late King Hussein. In the face of regional tensions and wars, Jordan proved to be resilient and a bedrock of stability throughout the reign of the late King and has been continued by his eldest son King Abdullah II, who assumed the throne in 1999. Since then, aggressive economic and political reform programs have improved the lives of Jordanians and raised Jordan’s image onto the international stage. Establishing a free and liberal economy, the Kingdom has been granted membership to the World Trade Organization and was also the region’s first country to sign a free trade agreement with the USA. A Free Trade Association with the European Union followed in 2001. Nationally, the Social Economical Transformation Program was also launched. Jordan now boasts duty free access to EU markets, access to more than 10 Arab countries through the Arab Free Trade Association, bilateral agreements and favorable protocols with over 25 countries, duty and quota free access to US markets through the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ), the establishment of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) and membership in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

For a country with a population of nearly six million, 50% of which are 18 years and younger, and no natural resources, it was no easy task to place Jordan where it is today, on the world investment map. Educational reforms contribute to the over 90% literacy rate and initiatives aiding in creating an information based society, such as the “Connecting Jordanians Initiative” among many others, have all transformed Jordan into a regional IT hub.

Real GDP Growth Rate increased from 3.1% in 1999 to nearly 8% in 2004 with total exports rising by over 31% and total imports by nearly 40% between 1999 and September 2004.

On the political front, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in 2003 and the appointed Prime Minister and Government have pledged their commitment to accelerated economic and political reforms. Women have found their voices in this free society, with an unprecedented number of women heading three ministries.

Under the leadership of King Abdullah II and an ambitious young population, Jordan has truly become the gateway to the new Middle East and the lighthouse of the region.

Tourism Few countries can offer the diversity of tourist attractions that are abound in Jordan. With inhabitations stretching back to the Stone Age, evidence of by-gone civilizations are prominent throughout the Kingdom in enchanting ancient cities and monuments from every age of humanity as its land became established as a well-travelled bridge between sea and desert, east and west.

Above the layers of antiquity lies a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrast: the Jordan Valley, fertile, ever changing and remote desert canyons, immense and still. Here lie splendid desert castles left over from the crusades, the haunting wilderness of Wadi Rum, Red Sea Coral reefs and restful spas. The country’s most unique attraction is the stunning rock-carved city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors ever year.

The capital, Amman, is one of the most modern cities in the region with a virtual crime-free environment offering the perfect location to base any visit to the Kingdom. You will find Jordanians to be wonderfully gracious and welcoming and they are eager to impress with their excellent grasp of foreign languages.

Business and the arts are thriving, nightlife is vibrant, and there are first-rate hotels, restaurants, galleries and shops. Add to this energetic mix the mystique of old Amman and all your expectations will be surpassed.

While modern life is prevalent, the Arabic traditions are prominent as visitors become embroiled in its magical hospitality, which has welcomed travelers to these shores for thousands of years. There are ancient tales being told in the coffee shops on every street corner as visitors warm to the friendship of the Jordanian people and the heritage and beauty of their land.

But beyond the city limits is where the adventure truly begins. The Dead Sea may be just 30 minutes drive from Amman but at 420m below sea level it is recognised as the ‘lowest point on earth’ and no visit to Jordan is complete without a ‘float’ in its mineral-enriched waters.

Nature reserves are sprinkled throughout the country while Mount Nebo, where the prophet Moses looked out over the Promised Land, and the Baptism Site, where Jesus Christ was Baptised in the Jordan River and the site of John the Baptist’s Church, annually attract visitors from five continents.

But whether it be an action packed adventure or a break on a sun-kissed beach touching clear turquoise waters in Aqaba, Jordan has something for everyone and has established itself as a fabulous holiday haven.

Impressive track record
 

Few countries in the Middle East can lay claim to a track record for hosting major international events like Jordan. Its location in the heart of the region has positioned it as an ideal venue to host regional and international conventions in world-class venues across the country. As a bedrock of stability, Jordan has been chosen time and time again to host major international political summits while in 2003 it hosted the World Economic Forum for the first time, welcoming world leaders and decision makers to the banks of the Dead Sea. Such was the popularity of that first Forum, a multi-million dollar convention centre has been built on the Dead Sea which hosted the World Economic Forum once again in 2004 and will continue to do so for many years to come. Jordan’s world-class sporting facilities have hosted numerous Arab, Asian and World Championships but the highlight came in 1999 when more than 5,000 athletes from 21 countries competed in the Pan Arab Games at venues throughout the country.

Venues were packed and the Games were hailed as an overwhelming success as sport captured the Jordanian public’s imagination like never before.

Sport is seen as a vital component by the country’s visionary leaders to develop the nation and 34 sporting federations have recently been democratically elected to represent each and every sport with the objective to increase the standards and raise the country’s profile in the international arena.

While the FIA World Rally Championship represents the country’s most ambitious sporting project to date, more high profile announcements are expected in the coming years with a bid for the Asian Games in 2014 a distinct possibility.

Jordan’s geographical location makes it a perfect destination for staging events. Amman’s international airport is connected to more than 100 countries worldwide and more than 2.2 billion people live within a five-hour flight away.

Jordan represents a gateway to the new Middle East, a Middle East crying out for change and global acceptance and sport has an important role to play in winning over the hearts and minds of the outside world.