H.E. Chen Chuandong, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan, paid a visit to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone on January 24. During the visit, he met with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Commissioner H.E. Eng. Nayyf Bakheet, toured the Aqaba International Industrial Estate, and extended Lunar New Year greetings to the Chinese community in Aqaba.

When meeting with Eng. Bakheet, Ambassador Chen highlighted the excellent relations between China and Jordan, citing the exchange of congratulatory messages between President Xi Jinping and His Majesty King Abdullah II on the occasion of centennial of founding of the Communist Party of China and centennial of statehood of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2021. The Ambassador referred to Aqaba as Jordan’s gateway and a hub connecting the East and West, with its strategic geographical location and favorable business environment. He expressed his satisfaction with progress Chinese businesses had made in Aqaba, and China’s readiness to further tap potentials for cooperation with the Special Economic Zone in tourism, investment and operation of industrial parks, among other things, making  Aqaba a “Demonstration Zone” for China-Jordan practical cooperation. The Ambassador said that he hoped ASEZA would continue to provide favourable policy and commercial environment for Chinese businesses and investors. He also extended welcome to Jordanian businesses to take advantage of trade fairs, investment and businesses opportunities in China.

Eng. Bakheet briefed Ambassador Chen of investment policies and opportunities of the Special Economic Zone, and hailed China’s economic development and opening-up as a powerhouse for the global economic recovery. He noted that China was a major trading partner of Jordan and Chinese companies had benefited local and national economy. He reaffirmed ASEZA’s commitment to attracting more Chinese investors and tourists.

Ambassador Chen also held discussions with executives of Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) and  PBI Aqaba International Industrial Estate LLP., followed with an on-site tour of the Aqaba International Industrial Estate (AIIE).