Inaugurating the first Jordan-US Business Forum, Jordan King Abdullah convinced that commitment to economic reforms, the country’s geo-strategic location and positive relationships make Jordan a logical hub for regional and global trade that businesses can look to with confidence. The King also referred to the Jordan’s free trade agreements with the US, Canada, Europe, Turkey, Singapore and all Arab countries, as well as the decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to welcome Jordan’s bid to join the six-nation bloc.1 The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, officials and several private sector representatives.

In another development, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Vice President for Small and Medium Enterprise Finance, James Polan, announced that the US OPIC will direct additional financial aid to Jordan, especially for the transportation and agriculture sectors. His announcement came with reference to the $250 million in economic assistance through OPIC to the Kingdom announced by US President Barack Obama.2 He also mentioned that OPIC will help finance the Amman-Zarqa light railway project.

• 1. Obeidat, Omar (2011), “Businesses can look to Jordan with confidence”, The Jordan Times, May 22, 2011, available at http://jordantimes.com/?news=37693
• 2. Obeidat, Omar (2011), “OPIC to direct more aid to Jordan”, The Jordan Times, May 22, 2011, available at http://jordantimes.com/?news=37694