His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday emphasised the need to proceed with efforts to attract more foreign investment and implement projects, particularly in the tourism sector.

King Abdullah made his remarks while chairing a meeting of commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).

At the meeting attended by Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, the King's Advisor Ayaman Safadi, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Hosni Abu Gheida briefed the King on investments attracted to the zone so far and efforts to develop local communities and expand tourism, especially after Aqaba's selection as the 2011 Arab Tourism Capital. Abu Gheida noted that all concerned parties should work together to take advantage of this achievement.

The ASEZA chief noted that the authority started a media campaign in 2008 to market Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra to European tourists. He also said that the volume of investments, projects and agreements signed in 2008 in the zone exceeded $14 billion, noting that they will be implemented over the next 10 years.

Such projects include the Marsa Zayed project, a $10 billion real estate investment in Aqaba, the Aqaba Technological University and other tourism and industrial projects, said Abu Gheida.

Also in 2008, the number of tourists to Aqaba rose to more than 442,000, while the number of cruise ships docking at the Red Sea port city exceeded 89, Abu Gheida told King Abdullah.

Abu Gheida also highlighted ASEZA's efforts to engage the local community in development plans. These plans include providing scholarships and initiatives to confront poverty and unemployment by providing jobs in the private sector.