The Government: Ma'an Can Be an Advanced Industries Zone at the Kingdom Level

He explained that the state budget allocates about 75 to 80 million Jordanian dinars annually for universities.

He pointed out that the government is concerned with helping Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, and that the university has promising investment, academic, and research projects, stressing the importance of continuing work to ensure its sustainability and ability to perform its role.

Regarding Ma'an Governorate projects, Al-Momani said that the government seeks to invest the opportunities latent in the governorate, including the land port project and the railways that connect Aqaba, Al-Shdeida, Ma'an, and the land port.

He added that Ma'an is capable of being an advanced industries zone at the kingdom level, and a logistics business zone, noting that the railway and road projects linking the governorate to the Karama Crossing and the land port come within this direction.

Regarding the tourism sector in Petra, Al-Momani said that the government has taken a package of decisions to help the tourism sector, including hotels and shops, after being directly affected by regional events.

He emphasized the government's awareness of the importance of Petra for the Jordanian tourism industry, noting the continuation of taking decisions that would alleviate the sector and activate tourist movement in the region.

He pointed to an improvement in the number of Petra visitors, according to what was reported, noting that the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities is following the figures related to tourist movement.

Regarding the sewage file, Al-Momani confirmed that it is an important file and does not limit itself to Ma'an, but there are also areas in the capital suffering from this problem, so an amount has been allocated for this purpose, noting that the file is financially costly.

Regarding the role of phosphate and potash companies in supporting projects in the south, Al-Momani said that the two companies are leading national companies, and they play a continuous role in the field of social responsibility in the areas where they operate and throughout the Kingdom.

He pointed out that the two companies have, over the past few days, donated millions of Jordanian dinars to provide medical devices in different areas of the south.

Regarding Aqaba City, Al-Momani said that the city is witnessing pioneering projects in the industrial, logistical, and tourism fields, noting the increase in handling and work rates in the port and different ports, at a rate of about 50%.

He added that a number of countries and companies at the regional level are now requesting cooperation with Aqaba Port, which has become a major strategic gateway in the region.

He affirmed that the government is continuing to work to enhance Aqaba's status at the kingdom and regional levels, noting that the cabinet has taken decisions in this context, and that the concerned authorities in the city are aware of its logistical, industrial, and tourism importance.

On the municipal issue, Al-Momani said that municipalities represent the direct development face of the citizen, and that the government is working to improve their performance.

He pointed out that exempting municipalities from debts and their benefits, in cooperation with the Bank for the Development of Cities and Villages, has contributed to alleviating the burdens on them, in addition to the increase in revenues due to the activation of collection, and the decrease in expenses due to directing spending to the right places.

He explained that activating human resources and monitoring the performance of employees, along with digitizing services, has contributed to improving municipal work, noting that capital spending has been directed to development projects, including roads and works related to municipalities.

He said that studies indicate an improvement in the level of cleanliness in municipalities, affirming that the government is working within the national strategy for waste and reducing indiscriminate dumping.