To help the south prosper

His Majesty King Abdullah’s Sunday meeting with dignitaries from Maan Governorate highlights the importance the Monarch attaches to this part of the country, which is among the least developed and where there are more poverty pockets.

“Maan is for us and has rights,” said the King who highlighted the economic projects to be established in this southern governorate to offset the challenges facing it.

The priorities for the Maan region are obvious: tackling poverty and widespread unemployment.

That can be done by establishing an economic bridge between Maan and Aqaba through, more concretely, a railway connecting the two areas, which could ensure proper transportation for youths from Maan seeking employment in Aqaba.

The land port could provide employment opportunities to people from the south, and as such, the King directed the government to expedite work on the project.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to work on establishing links among security, political and economic issues, to enable us to solve problems,” said the King, again highlighting the causal link between security and economy.

Highlighting the need to combat poverty and unemployment through partnerships involving all concerned, as well as the importance of support for agricultural and livestock projects that can be implemented in Maan, the Monarch said that providing training for young people is a strategic goal for him.

“It is not enough to attract investments and open factories; it is necessary to invest in Jordanian citizens and their potentials,” said the King.

The southern parts, including Maan, need good planning to link their economies more robustly with the national economy.

Sound policies whose outcome reflects on people are the best way to address the social and economic woes of the people of the south.

Investing in renewable energy could be one other way of lifting the area from its current underdevelopment.

Giving incentives to investors willing to settle in the Maan region to create business and work opportunities would be a good way to start.

Much can be done to make Maan attractive for businesses and turn it into a prosperous region.

The King has shown the way.

The public and private sectors need to seriously consider how to get involved in this project.