On the Kingdom’s 80th Independence Day, the city of Aqaba stands out as one of the most prominent models of national transformation, embodying the Royal vision of building a modern economy rooted in investment, development, and sustainability.
اضافة اعلان
Since the establishment of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in 2001, the city has evolved from a traditional Red Sea port into an integrated economic, tourism, and logistics hub. Today, it drives major strategic projects and bolsters Jordan’s regional and international standing, in a continuous journey of achievement that reflects the state's resolve and the Hashemite leadership's confidence in Aqaba’s capacity to shape the future.
In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Nayef Hamidi Al-Fayez, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA, emphasized that Aqaba represents one of the most prominent national success stories during the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II. He noted that founding the special economic zone marked a strategic turning point that elevated Aqaba from a conventional port city into a global economic, tourism, and logistics center.
Al-Fayez stated that the Authority has provided a competitive investment environment featuring an income tax of no more than 5%, broad customs and tax exemptions, and single-window investment services. This is further enhanced by access to nearly 1.5 billion consumers across 161 countries through the various trade agreements signed by Jordan.
He added that the number of authorized and licensed companies in Aqaba reached approximately 5,000 during 2025, while the number of companies registered with the Authority stood at around 1,800.
Regarding the development of the port ecosystem, Al-Fayez said that Aqaba has successfully built a modern, advanced port system that has solidified its role as a regional logistics hub. This was achieved by establishing the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) in 2004 and forging strategic partnerships with global operators to manage and run the ports.
He explained that the most notable completed projects include the development of the southern port and its systems, the relocation and restructuring of the multi-purpose main port, and the upgrading of energy and mining ports. This is in addition to partnerships with APM Terminals to develop the container terminal, and with Abu Dhabi Ports Group to manage and operate the multi-purpose main port.
He indicated that the cost of developing the port system amounted to approximately 310 million dinars. Aqaba currently features 12 ports with 32 specialized berths and 6 logistics zones, while container handling volumes exceeded 1 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) during 2025.
Al-Fayez confirmed that Aqaba has managed to attract investments exceeding 20 billion dinars through the execution of major strategic projects that have enhanced the city’s status as a comprehensive investment and tourism destination.
He pointed out that the key completed projects include Ayla Oasis as a premier mixed-use waterfront development, and Marsa Zayed, which saw the completion of the cruise terminal alongside ongoing work on the "Riviera Heights" project. Other notable projects include Saraya Aqaba, Tala Bay, the Yacht Club, Fountain Mall, the infrastructure for the Al-Mutal project, the Aqaba International Industrial Estate, and a collection of specialized factories.
In the tourism sector, the landscape has changed drastically from years past. Al-Fayez stated that tourism has undergone a qualitative shift, rendering Aqaba an integrated global tourist destination through the development of hotels, tourism products, and international events. He explained that the Authority worked on developing diverse tourism programs covering marine tourism, diving sites, adventure tourism, and religious tourism, alongside upgrading the passenger terminal and inscribing the Wadi Rum Protected Area onto the UNESCO World Heritage List for natural and cultural sites.
He further explained that Aqaba has enhanced its annual event calendar through the annual "Amwaj Aqaba" (Waves of Aqaba) program and by hosting numerous international events, which helped stimulate tourism throughout the year. He noted that the number of operational hotels in Aqaba reached 101, offering 6,560 hotel rooms—representing about 20% of the total hotel rooms in the Kingdom—while the number of tourist restaurants stood at 82 and licensed diving centers at 37.
He indicated that overnight tourists reached around 850,000, while the total number of visitors to Aqaba via various border crossings reached nearly two million annually. This is in addition to approximately 300,000 visitors to the Wadi Rum area, which features 229 tourist camps within the reserve.
He stressed that the Authority has implemented major urban projects that have reshaped Aqaba into a modern city. These include developing the master plan for the years 2024–2040, developing the waterfront and corniche, the exhibition grounds project, expanding King Hussein International Airport, and upgrading road networks, utilities, and residential neighborhoods. This is alongside the 132-meter-tall Aqaba Flagpole, the Great Arab Revolt plazas, the Aqaba International Stadium, the public transport system, and the Aqaba Transport Company, as well as Aqaba's pivotal role in the national railway project.
He pointed out that licensed square meters in Aqaba during 2024 reached about 431,000 square meters, while the number of public transport bus users during 2025 reached approximately 1.5 million passengers.
Al-Fayez said that Aqaba has established its position as a national model for environmental sustainability and the blue economy by creating the Aqaba Marine Reserve, developing water and air monitoring and early warning systems, and protecting coral reefs. This is in addition to clean energy and green hydrogen projects, as the city plays a pivotal role in national security systems via the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, its role in the National Water Carrier project, and various energy and export initiatives.
He noted that Aqaba is currently witnessing the implementation and development of major strategic projects, most notably the railway agreement and connection with the Ma'an Land Port, blue economy projects, energy, and logistics services. This is alongside qualitative urban, entertainment, and tourism projects, such as the "Ain Aqaba" tourist project in the southern area, waterfront development, and a racetrack, all enhancing its standing as an integrated regional destination for tourism, investment, and entertainment.
He indicated that these projects and investments have supported the labor market, empowered youth, and reduced the unemployment rate to about 14.8%—the lowest in the Kingdom—by providing high-quality jobs and creating an attractive economic and developmental environment.
Aqaba has also emerged as an advanced hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, youth, and sports by backing the Blue Economy Center, which was inaugurated to support youth potential as well as environmental and marine projects.
In the context of developing entrepreneurship and innovation programs, a Youth Data Bank was established at ASEZA to serve as a knowledge and development platform that supports decision-making and provides data and indicators for investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, Aqaba continues to strengthen its presence as a regional and international hub for esports by hosting local and international tournaments, reflecting its transition toward a future-city model built on the digital economy, technology, innovation, and sustainable investment.
Aqaba has fortified its digital and technological infrastructure through an undersea internet cable, making it a strategic connection point between Asia and Africa. This bolsters Jordan's position as a regional corridor for data traffic and digital communications, contributing to attracting technology investments, data centers, and global digital corporations, while supporting the transition toward turning Aqaba into a smart city and enhancing its digital economy, e-service efficiency, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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