Amman, Aug. 31 (Petra) -- The Jordan Academy for Government Administration and the Higher Council for Science and Technology, through the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund, signed on Monday an agreement to support an applied research project aimed at identifying Tafila's most promising investment opportunities and developing an evidence-based local investment map.

The project will assess the governorate's comparative advantages and investment potential in the energy, agriculture, industry and tourism sectors, identifying areas with the strongest growth prospects and translating available resources into viable investment opportunities and projects.

Academy CEO Mustafa Hamarna highlighted the project's role in strengthening the capacity of institutions and personnel involved in investment planning and management, particularly in analyzing and evaluating investment opportunities and turning them into viable projects.

He stressed the importance of basing investment decisions on data and scientific evidence rather than general estimates, noting that this would improve the quality of local investment planning.

Council Secretary-General Mashhour Rifai underscored the Council's focus on supporting applied national research with direct benefits for society, emphasizing the role of scientific research in developing practical solutions to national challenges and promoting balanced development across the Kingdom's governorates.

Fund Director Tariq Muqattash noted that the project's support reflects the Fund's focus on financing research with economic and social returns and linking research priorities to the Economic Modernization Vision and national development priorities.

He added that the project's impact will ultimately be measured by its ability to generate actual investment opportunities and projects that contribute to Tafila's development and create jobs for local residents.

The project is aligned with the research priorities for the next decade recently approved by the Higher Council and is expected to produce a methodology that can be updated and replicated in other governorates, supporting a national, evidence-based approach to identifying local comparative advantages and investment opportunities.

//Petra// AJ