Ma’an: As part of ongoing follow-up to the implementation and sustainability of Royal Initiatives, Chief of the Royal Court Yousef Issawi on Saturday inspected development and service projects in Ma’an Governorate that are implemented under royal directives. Issawi, head of the Follow-Up Committee for the Implementation of His Majesty’s Initiatives, made the tour to see first-hand progress of the projects, some under construction, and ensure their operation and sustainability. These aim to promote local development, create job opportunities, preserve national heritage, and develop the tourism and cultural product in targeted areas.
According to Jordan News Agency, Issawi began his tour at El Zay ready-made garments factory in Shobak District, inaugurated by His Majesty King Abdullah II in 2008 as the first production facility under the Productive Branches Initiative. Accompanied by Labor Minister Khaled Al-Bakkar, Ma’an Governor Khaled Hajjaj, and other local officials, Issawi toured the factory. The factory, which expanded in 2022, currently employs 192 local male and female workers and has two production lines with about 122 machines. Female workers expressed gratitude for the Royal Initiative, highlighting the positive impact on their lives by providing decent work and skill development opportunities.
In Petra District, Issawi inspected the construction site of a headquarters for the Arab Commission for Culture and Civilisation (Bait Al Anbat). This project was initiated following a meeting between His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and local representatives in early 2023. The building, covering an area of 378 square meters, includes administrative offices, a hall for workshops, and service facilities. The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Investment at the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, Mohammad Habahbeh, reported that the project is 50 percent complete.
Issawi also visited the Founder King’s Palace in Ma’an, which is undergoing rehabilitation and restoration under a royal directive. The palace, a significant historical site, dates back to 1920 and was used by the late King Abdullah I as his headquarters. It was originally part of the Ma’an Hejaz Railway Station, built in 1904, and served as the National Defense Headquarters. The palace’s restoration includes the creation of a national museum depicting the story of the Founding King, the Great Arab Revolt, and the establishment of the Jordanian state.
Issawi emphasized the importance of projects with cultural and historical significance, such as the rehabilitation of the Founding King’s Palace, for preserving national heritage and enhancing the tourism sector. These initiatives open new economic opportunities that benefit the local community.