ROME (Petra) - Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania returned from a several-day state visit to Italy on Thursday, after attending the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum in Milan.

In a speech at the forum, which gathered an array of businesspeople and representatives from the Italian and Jordanian private sectors, King Abdullah reviewed the results of Jordan's economic reform programmes, which he said have made Jordan an attractive location for investments.

His Majesty said Jordan is qualified to serve as a gateway into the region for foreign investors.

He noted that the free trade agreements Jordan has signed with the US, the EU, Canada, Arab states and other countries have enabled companies, using Jordan as their base, to reach over one billion customers in Europe, the US and across the world.

The Monarch highlighted Jordan's investment in education, which he said has helped turn out a highly competitive and qualified labour force in different fields.

Jordan possesses qualified manpower, as more than 30 per cent of Jordanians are in the process of studying, he said, noting that there are 23 universities in the Kingdom, whose population does not exceed six million.

In his address, the Monarch said economic growth stood at 6 per cent over the past 10 years, during which exports rose significantly.

His Majesty also highlighted the opportunities available in Jordan to invest in major projects in fields such as transport, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, renewable energy, uranium and oil shale extraction, and water desalination and conveyance.

Referring to the substantial ongoing economic cooperation between Jordan and Italy, King Abdullah stressed that there is room for expanding this cooperation, as Italy is Jordan's second largest trade partner with trade exchange between the two countries rising by 20 per cent in 2008.

In his speech, the King also underlined the need to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to enable the region to fully develop its economic capabilities, which will not only benefit the region but all countries of the Mediterranean.

Resolving the conflict is a strategic interest for all Mediterranean countries as it will create the necessary environment for realising development and prosperity, the King said, adding that Jordan is working closely with the European countries to deepen cooperation at the bilateral level and within the Mediterranean partnership.

His Majesty voiced hope that the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum will lead to further cooperation between the two countries, emphasising that the Kingdom's doors are open for Italian investments in different fields.

In their speeches at the event, Bruno Ermolli, chairman of the agency for international relations at the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Italian Minister of Economic Development Claudio Scajola and Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti welcomed Their Majesties' participation in the forum and visit to Milan.

They expressed confidence that Their Majesties' visit and the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum, in which over 600 representatives from the private sectors of both countries are taking part, will help boost cooperation, trade and investment exchange.

They also referred to several agreements to be signed during the forum between public and private institutions from both countries.

Also yesterday, King Abdullah met with a group of businesspeople representing major companies and industrial and commercial institutions. Discussions covered available investment opportunities in the Kingdom in different fields.

His Majesty highlighted Jordan's investment environment, saying the country is capable of providing an appropriate investment foundation due to its distinguished geographic location, political stability and strong economic ties with all countries of the region.

During the state visit, which began on Monday, the Monarch also held talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome, where the two leaders looked into efforts to launch peace negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

They also expressed their keenness to cement bilateral ties, especially in the economic sphere, saying there is much room for increased cooperation.