His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday checked on progress of the Madaba Industrial Estate project and paid a surprise visit to the home of army veteran retired Lt. Col. Ghassan Zawahreh.

During a visit to the Madaba Industrial Estate project, 75 per cent of which has been completed and which is expected to provide 2,500 job opportunities in its first stage, King Abdullah directed the government to expedite infrastructure work.

His Majesty also directed the government to promote investment opportunities in the governorates, especially industrial estates, to provide jobs for youth.

During a tour of the project, the King was briefed by Public Works Minister Falah Al Omoush, who noted that the ministry is following up on infrastructure work to ensure the completion of the JD22 million industrial estate over an area of 500 dunums, over two phases.

The first phase extends over 310 dunums, while the project’s second phase extends over 190 dunums.

His Majesty laid the cornerstone for the project in 2016.

The King also listened to a briefing by Omar Jweaed, CEO of the Jordan Industrial Estates Company (JIEC), who said the company has so far received 29 applications to invest in the Madaba Industrial Estate.

Jweaed expected the project, when fully completed, to attract nearly 60 investments.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, and JIEC Chairman Loay Sehwail accompanied the King on the visit.

Also in Madaba, His Majesty paid a surprise visit to the home of army veteran retired Lt. Col. Ghassan Zawahreh, who was injured in the line of duty, and checked on his condition.

The King’s visit to Zawahreh is in line with His Majesty’s commitment to checking on veterans of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies, and comes ahead of Veterans Day, marked annually on 15 February.