Aqaba, Dec. 30 (Petra) – The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) maintained robust development and investment momentum in 2025, guided by royal directives and the national economic modernization vision. The year saw pivotal milestones, including royal inaugurations of environmental and strategic projects, aimed at positioning Aqaba as a regional hub for tourism, investment, trade, and logistics.

ASEZA Chairman Shadi Ramzi al-Majali told Petra that the authority’s comprehensive strategy has transformed Aqaba into a multifunctional city attracting investment while providing a high quality of life. Population growth reflects this transformation, with the city’s population rising from about 70,000 in 2000 to over 200,000 today, and the governorate reaching roughly 245,000 compared with 95,000 in 2000.

The logistics and ports sector remains the backbone of Aqaba’s economy. The number of ports increased from eight in 2001 to 12 specialized ports, supported by 30 berths handling roughly 95% of Jordan’s external trade. Public transport usage grew from 205,000 in 2014 to over 1.1 million in 2024–2025. The container port is projected to handle nearly 900,000 TEUs by year-end, a 24% increase over 2024.

Industrial development has expanded significantly. From zero specialized industrial zones in 2001, Aqaba now hosts an international industrial city and a logistics zone with multiple factories, alongside plans for six new industrial zones in Al-Qweirah and four logistics areas. The number of registered companies rose from 700 in 2014 to 1,764, with around 5,500 companies actively operating.

Education and healthcare have also grown. Aqaba now has four universities, including a medical university, 89 schools employing 2,800 teachers, and five hospitals with 21 health centers, compared with three hospitals and 17 centers in 2001. Since 2018, ASEZA has generated over 10,000 private-sector jobs; currently, 61,000 people work in the zone. Eleven specialized training institutes enhance workforce skills.

Tourism remains a strategic pillar. Hotel capacity rose from 43 hotels with 2,300 rooms to 101 hotels offering 6,500 rooms – about 20% of Jordan’s total. Tourist arrivals reached 2 million in 2024, with overnight stays hitting 1 million and an average stay of 1.9 nights. Wadi Rum, part of the "Golden Triangle," welcomed roughly 300,000 visitors in 2025, with 230 desert camps including luxury options, establishing Aqaba as a global adventure and eco-tourism destination.

Key royal inaugurations included the King Abdullah II Hussein Cancer Center in February, offering advanced services for southern governorates. Crown Prince Hussein opened the Aqaba National Vocational Training Complex in 2025, featuring eight workshops, the Jordan-German Logistics Excellence Center, a digital manufacturing lab, and other specialized training facilities. The Prince also inaugurated the "Digital Aqaba City" project, Jordan’s first and the region’s largest digital infrastructure hub.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan laid the foundation stone for the first phase of "Marsa Zayed," a Red Sea waterfront development led by UAE’s AD Ports Group and Majid Holding, aimed at boosting investment, job creation, and Aqaba’s regional economic stature. Additionally, the government initiated the industrial natural gas supply project and Sheikh Sabah Port gas development, with a total cost of JD 88 million, enhancing energy efficiency for industrial users.

Aqaba hosted more than 15 major festivals and events in 2025, attracting over one million visitors. The first "Amwaj Aqaba" festival featured 122 events, including 103 free activities and international carnival performances. ASEZA also launched the nationwide "Ruhha Biterd Al-Ruh" promotional campaign through February 2026 to strengthen Aqaba’s position as a diverse tourist destination.

Over 25 government services were digitized to streamline investor and citizen transactions. Environmental initiatives advanced as well, with Aqaba Marine Reserve progressing toward UNESCO World Heritage nomination.

Al-Majali emphasized that 2025 achievements – spanning environmental initiatives, royal inaugurations, strategic projects, and partnerships – represent a comprehensive model of sustainable development, cementing Aqaba’s status as a national economic lever and a forward-looking city.

//Petra// AA