#JordanTheWorldfolio Our World #TheWorldfolio Friday, March 20, 2015 JORDAN This supplement to USA TODAY was produced by United World Ltd., Suite 179, 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RH – Tel: +44 (0)20 7305 5678 – [email protected] – www.unitedworld-usa.com A regional model of development and prosperity n a region rife with “This is a country that is conflict and turmoil, full of ambition and able Jordan’s stability and to build a successful progressive domestic model when it comes agenda has gained in- to reform, and has fluence on the international been nurturing and stage, securing its role as a solidifying social and I political values of high moderate voice in the Mid- dle East and a valued ally to respect... We would like the West. the U.S. society and the Policy analysts have de- international community scribed Jordan as an excellent to see the ability of this friend to the United States, country to maintain its and the relationship has only security and stability” grown stronger as events in the Middle East intensify. DR. MOHAMMAD AL MOMANI, The two countries will mark Minister of State for Media Affairs 65 years of diplomatic rela- tions this year, the alliance strengthened with a billion- dollar aid package and U.S. heavily on fuel imports and loan guarantees that will al- is exploring renewable re- low Jordan to access afford- sources to supplement its able financing from interna- needs. Analysts suggest that tional capital markets. sourcing from renewables “I think that the two coun- such as solar and wind can tries have a very high level of potentially provide 60 times mutual respect and I think we the country’s electricity are closer than ever to creat- consumption by 2050, add- ing a status of strategic inter- ing up to billions in savings dependence at all levels,” says while providing thousands Dr. Mohammad Al Momani, of jobs. The government has Jordan’s Minister of State for set a target of obtaining 10% Media Affairs. “We highly Since King Abdullah’s ascension to the throne, he has implemented significant of its energy requirements value the support that Jordan economic reforms to encourage foreign investment and to develop an outward, from renewable resources gets from the United States, by 2020. suchs as the military aid. U.S. market-based and globally competitive economy Tourism, trade, manu- officials keep telling us what facturing, and technology Jordan means and the value it are other sectors Jordan is holds for their country.” Jordan has recently more business include new turing and solidifying social state; this helps the country looking to develop while Jordan has recently stepped up its tax incentives and legisla- and political values of high to stay immune from region- supporting the backbone stepped up its presence on presence on the world tion to encourage company respect,” says Dr. Al Mo- al conflict and turmoil,” says of its economy – small and the world stage. Its election stage. Its election start-ups, the privatization mani. “We would like the Dr. Al Momani. medium-sized enterprises to the UN Security Council, to the UN Security of state-owned companies, U.S. society and the inter- The country has also in- (SMEs). More than 99% of a post it will hold until De- Council, a post it will and government partner- national community to see stituted reforms that have Jordanian companies are cember 2015, has allowed hold until December ships with the private sector. the ability of this country helped it to pull itself out SMEs, which account for Jordan to wield its influ- 2015, has allowed Jordan’s reigning mon- to maintain its security and of an economic crisis that 40% of the country’s GDP ence on matters of security Jordan to wield its arch is leading the effort to stability, and to build a mod- saw double-digit inflation and the hiring of 70% of the and peace in the region and influence on matters of bring greater prosperity to erate and progressive reform hammer consumers in 2008 overall work force. call for greater international security and peace in the country’s citizens. King model despite all the chal- and 2009. Efforts to trans- The country hopes to ap- support on issues like the the region Abdullah II, a former heli- lenges in the Middle East.” form the economy to a more peal to foreign investors by rebuilding of Gaza and com- copter pilot who served in Jordan’s prime minister – market-based and globally capitalizing on its values and bating terrorism. the Jordanian military and the country’s legislative lead- competitive economy is set- geographical location. It has While the kingdom has rose through the ranks to er – is traditionally appoint- ting the country on a path the potential to serve as a made its presence felt in the more foreign investment become a major general, ed by the King. However the to stronger growth, with the regional business hub offer- international arena, it has while addressing some of recently showed his flair for incumbent Abdullah Ensour World Bank predicting 3.4% ing the kind of stable and se- also invigorated forces at the country’s pressing chal- hands-on leadership when was elected for the first time growth predicted this year, cure environment currently home, embarking on an am- lenges, such as high unem- he donned a pilot’s uniform by parliamentary members up from 3% in 2013. lacking in some parts of the bitious domestic program ployment, a widening trade to inspire his troops. in 2013, reflecting a move One of the areas the gov- Middle East. of economic and political deficit, and most notably its “This is a country that is toward a more advanced ernment will be looking to Dr. Al Momani adds, “The reforms. hosting of more than 1 mil- full of ambition – one that democracy. “Continuing to develop as part of its eco- most meaningful way to solve Jordan’s 2025 vision is lion Syrian refugees. has been able to build a suc- build a gradual, credible po- nomic development plan the challenges of the Middle a 10-year economic blue- Among the new initia- cessful model when it comes litical reform model is the is energy. Unlike its Arab East is through cooperating print aimed at attracting tives designed to drum up to reform. It has been nur- true essence of the Jordanian neighbors, Jordan relies with a country like Jordan.” Education investments equal 20% of GDP The King has ordered the of 30, and almost one-third of double the number in Tuni- Jordan now boasts government to set out an the population is enrolled in sia that is ranked second with the highest rate of educational reform plan an educational facility. More 1,588 researchers per million. researchers per capita aimed at postitioning Jordan than 2.5% of the population is Those figures are no sur- of the 57 member as a science and tech hub studying at a university, a level prise as Jordan moves to posi- nations that make up that is comparable to atten- tion itself as the science and the Organization for Jordan has made education a dance levels in the U.K. technology research hub of the Islamic Cooperation. top priority in its development Over the past decade the Middle East. Despite strained It also has more than plans for the country, and over focus has been on improving resources, the country has de- 3,000 researchers per the past few decades its invest- teaching methods, updating veloped a national curriculum 1 million people ment in public education has and diversifying student pro- that serves as a model for other been reflected in the quality of grams and expanding the qual- countries. The Jordanian Min- its institutions and the appeal ity and quantity of its higher istry of Education is making it of its graduates throughout the education institutions in order mandatory for students to be created the Scientific Research Middle East. to keep pace with international computer literate to be able to Support Fund to finance proj- “Jordan’s workforce is de- standards. Jordan currently apply their IT knowledge to ects that reflect national pri- manded in the Gulf as well as has 10 public universities, 20 their other courses, particu- orities, and offer grants to in other countries because of private universities and 54 larly science and math. Jordan’s outstanding graduates and the professionalism and level community colleges. higher education initiatives students. of education that the work- Queen Rania has spearheaded efforts to adopt a holistic approach to national education Whatever Jordan lacks in have seen enrollment climb “In order to meet our goals force acquires,” says Dr. Mo- natural resources, it is making particularly among women for comprehensive develop- hammad Al Momani, Minister To ensure that a skilled key area of Jordan’s education up for in human resources. Jor- who now make up more than ment it is vital to provide an of State for Media Affairs. “Ed- workforce is able to meet Jor- policy is accessibility. Educa- dan now boasts the highest rate half of the university popula- academic and social environ- ucation continues to be one of dan’s ambitious economic and tion is free for all primary and of researchers per capita of the tion. The country’s reputation ment that supports creativity, the most important assets of social objectives, the country, secondary school students 57 member nations that make for quality has attracted 28,000 excellence, innovation in or- the country and we are willing as one of the highest spenders and compulsory for all Jor- up the Organization for Islamic foreign students from all over der for Jordan to assume a po- to allocate enough resources on education in the region, is danian children through the Cooperation (OIC).