Princess Basma Bint Talal Inaugurates "Johud Al-Ayadi" Exhibition and Oversees Signing of Cooperation Agreement in Aqaba
Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal patronized the inauguration of the Johud Al-Ayadi exhibition in Aqaba on Wednesday, alongside the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Princess Basma Development Center in Aqaba—affiliated with the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD)—and the Aqaba Governorate Council.
During the signing ceremony, Her Royal Highness emphasized that JOHUD, in line with its plans and objectives, aims to contribute to fulfilling the aspirations and needs of local communities. This aligns with the vision and aspirations of His Majesty King Abdullah II to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development across all sectors.
Princess Basma stated that the partnership with the Aqaba Governorate Council adds to a series of collaborations between JOHUD and various national institutions in both the public and private sectors. These partnerships focus on contributing to community development and improving the living and economic conditions of families, individuals, and society as a whole.
She praised the role of Jordanian civil society institutions in supporting community development and commended the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Governorate Council, and Aqaba Development Corporation for their efforts in establishing and supporting development projects. These initiatives provide job opportunities for the governorate’s residents, combat unemployment, and enhance the quality of services provided to both citizens and visitors of Aqaba.
Her Royal Highness also highlighted Aqaba’s economic and tourism significance and the continuous support and follow-up it receives from His Majesty the King to strengthen its role in boosting the national economy, positioning it as a hub for Arab and foreign investments, and establishing it as a leading tourist destination in the region.
Aqaba Governor Khaled Al-Hajjaj commended the role of JOHUD in promoting community development through various initiatives and programs. He stressed the importance of sustaining these efforts to achieve the desired community development goals.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Aqaba Governorate Council, Imad Amro, affirmed that the council fosters a collaborative and complementary approach with all entities involved in the development of local communities within the governorate.
He noted that the partnership with JOHUD and the Princess Basma Development Center aligns with the council’s goals to support and develop local communities. He also referenced the council’s collaboration with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
According to Amro, the agreement includes funding for the renovation and maintenance of several branches of the Princess Basma Development Center in Aqaba, support for income-generating projects, particularly those benefiting people with disabilities, rehabilitation of the senior citizens' hall at the Aqaba center, and support for women’s handicraft projects.
The Manager of the Princess Basma Development Center in Aqaba, Engineer Aya Al-Kalaldeh, affirmed the center’s commitment to empowering women and youth politically and economically through numerous innovative programs focusing on women, youth, childhood, and persons with disabilities.
Additionally, the directors of the Princess Basma Development Centers in Reisha, Al-Quwaira, and Hamima outlined their centers' operations, programs, and needs, emphasizing their developmental role, particularly in remote areas.
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Chairman of ASEZA’s Board of Commissioners, Engineer Hamzeh Al-Hajj Hassan, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation, Hussein Al-Safadi, and ASEZA’s Commissioner for Youth and Entrepreneurship, Ramzi Al-Kabariti.
Earlier, Her Royal Highness inaugurated the Johud Al-Ayadi exhibition in Aqaba, managed by a group of women from the governorate. The exhibition showcases their handmade crafts and food products.
The exhibition serves as a source of income for these women, whose products bear the registered Johud Al-Ayadi brand name. These products are marketed both within and outside Aqaba, helping the women secure financial independence and support their families through small-scale enterprises.
It is noteworthy that the Johud Al-Ayadi exhibition has been allocated a space by ASEZA since 2014. Recently, its display hall was renovated and refurbished with support from Aqaba Development Corporation.