Karak/Aqaba, June 29 (Petra) -- Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court Yousef Issawi, who also heads the committee overseeing the implementation of Royal Initiatives, inspected a series of development projects in Karak and Aqaba governorates on Monday as part of ongoing field monitoring directed by His Majesty King Abdullah II to ensure their timely implementation and completion.
During the tour, Issawi reviewed progress on projects designed to create employment opportunities, expand green spaces, enhance services for people with disabilities, and upgrade youth infrastructure.
In Karak, Issawi visited the production branch of El Zay Ready Wear Manufacturing Company in the Mujib area, which was established under the Royal Initiatives in line with His Majesty's directives to establish production branches across the Kingdom's governorates. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for Jordanians in their local communities, reducing the need to travel to cities and industrial zones for work while lowering transportation costs.
Issawi reviewed operations at the factory, which was inaugurated during His Majesty's visit to Karak Governorate last November. The factory currently employs 100 residents from the area and neighboring villages, with the workforce expected to increase gradually to 220 employees during its first year of operation.
More than 35 production branches have been established under the Royal Initiatives across the Kingdom, particularly in remote areas, creating more than 10,000 jobs.
Issawi also inspected the "Roots" project in the Sunaynah area of Qasr District, launched in 2012 under Royal directives to expand green spaces and improve the environment. He reviewed work on the fourth and final expansion phase, which is being implemented in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), World Vision International, and Al Haq Foundation.
The expansion includes planting an additional 3,200 dunams with approximately 160,000 forest trees, 13,000 olive trees, and 10,000 prickly pear trees. Upon completion, the project will cover nearly 27,000 dunams and include more than one million forest and fruit trees, including 40,000 olive trees, 15,000 pomegranate trees, and 10,000 prickly pear trees. The project also features four wells, irrigation reservoirs, road infrastructure, and a solar-powered energy system.
In Aqaba Governorate, Issawi inspected construction of the Inclusive Day Services Center for People with Disabilities in Wadi Araba The center, being built on a 4,000-square-meter site with a 900-square-meter building, includes nine classrooms, occupational and physical therapy rooms, an early intervention unit, a computer laboratory, a speech therapy room, a social worker's office, administrative offices, a meeting room, and a reception area.
The project, which is 20% complete, is designed to provide care and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in accordance with the highest standards.
Issawi concluded his tour by inspecting the rehabilitation and development project at Aqaba Youth City. The project includes expanding the existing spectator stands, constructing additional seating, upgrading changing rooms for players and referees, and carrying out electrical and maintenance works at the stadium. Construction has reached 30% completion.
In a press statement following the tour, Issawi said the inspections are part of ongoing field monitoring of completed and ongoing Royal Initiative projects, reflecting His Majesty's commitment to continuous on-the-ground follow-up.
He said the implementation of Royal Initiative projects is guided by a comprehensive approach aimed at translating the King's vision into tangible development achievements that directly benefit citizens. He stressed the importance of adhering to implementation schedules and quality standards while ensuring close coordination among all relevant entities to accelerate project completion.
Issawi added that the Royal Initiatives reflect the priorities of local communities and complement national plans and programs aimed at improving services provided to citizens.
//Petra// AJ
