Aqaba Seaport prepares to establish free zone

Aqaba harbor authorities signed an agreement to prepare studies for the establishment of Aqaba free zone with a consortium of three companies. The study will be financed by the World Bank at a cost of $1.2 million and will be completed in a period of five months.

Aqaba Seaport Authority President Marwan Doddin told reporters that turning Aqaba port and part of the city into a free zone was a political decision. "The establishment of free port and specially the economic zone in Aqaba is a political decision that has been taken almost more than ten months ago by the Jordanian cabinet."

Doddin told reporters, "This consortium of consultants who won a $1.2 million worth contract of study on this subject will commence as of tomorrow." He added that it would take five months to tackle all facilities and aspects of the required study.