King: Jordan-UK historical bonds developed into true partnership

His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday said that Jordan and the United Kingdom enjoy historical bonds, laid by the late King Hussein bin Talal, adding that these bonds developed into true partnership. In remarks to participants in an enterprise conference here in Amman with the participation of Prince Charles of Wales, the King appreciated the UK support for Jordanian innovation and entrepreneurship. He also noted a memorandum of understanding MoU signed earlier in the day between the King Abdullah II Fund for Development KAFD and Prince of Wales Charitable Foundations. “This MoU opens new chapter in our cooperation,” he said. The agreement, he added, will help empower Jordanian youth and SMEs to create shared prosperity and jobs, noting that innovation, strengthening SMEs are key to Jordan’s future. Prince Charles underlined the depth of ties between the two countries and thanked Jordan for its hospitality. The prince of Wales said that the Jordanian business sector has achieved tangible growth since his last visit to the Kingdom in 2004. He also called to find jobs for youth and support small and medium enterprises SMEs to face challenges. Prince Charles underlined the need to back startups and provide them with technical support and guidance in order to help them grow. Jordan, he added, has the potential to overcome challenges thanks for its youth and human resources and its advanced educational system, noting that Jordan contribution to the Arabic content on the internet stood at 70 per cent. The conferees discussed youth opportunities and the role of SMEs in economic and social development as well as the role of non-profit organizations in supporting startups and entrepreneurship. //Petra// A SH