Amman, Oct. 11 (Petra) – Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) Committee Chairman Yousef Shawarbeh met in Aqaba with Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Shadi Al-Majali, in the presence of Commissioner for Infrastructure and Urban Affairs Moatasem Abdullah Hindawi, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and joint work between the Municipality and the Authority in areas of mutual interest, particularly environment, waste management, information technology, and smart city development.
According to a GAM statement on Saturday, Shawarbeh was briefed during the meeting on ASEZA’s Strategic Plan for 2024–2028 and the City Master Plan for 2024–2040, as well as the indicators of rapid growth the city is witnessing across various economic, tourism, and service sectors, driven by ongoing projects and the Authority’s clear vision to enhance Aqaba’s position as a modern, investment-friendly, and sustainably developed city.
Majali reviewed ASEZA's achievements in recent years and the notable growth across multiple sectors, reflecting efforts to develop infrastructure, modernize public service systems, and improve quality of life while attracting high-value investments.
During a field tour, accompanied by Executive Director for Information Technology Sultan Al-Kharabsheh, Executive Director for Smart Cities Lubna Al-Hunaiti, and Director of the Environmental Studies Department Basem Al-Hawamdeh, Shawarbeh visited Aqaba’s Data Center, known as "Aqaba Digital City." The center serves as an advanced digital infrastructure project designed to promote digital transformation in the region. He was briefed on the center’s operations and the services it provides to Jordan and other Arab countries.
Shawarbeh also visited the Aqaba Development Corporation, where he met with its CEO, Hussein Safadi, to discuss potential areas of collaboration between the Municipality and the company, particularly in investment environment development. He reviewed the company’s projects and plans aimed at unlocking Aqaba’s latent economic potential through private sector investment and transforming the area into a regional hub for business, entertainment, tourism, logistics, and industry.
He further observed the 3D printing project in Aqaba, part of a Jordanian initiative launched in June to restore and protect coral reefs. The project falls under the "Blue Economy" initiatives announced by His Majesty King Abdullah II, aimed at using innovative technology to restore damaged coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba and provide them with new structural support.
Shawarbeh also inspected operations at Aqaba’s solid waste landfill and reviewed the services provided there.
//Petra// AF
