Khaberni - The Minister of Local Administration, Walid Al-Masri, said that the ministry is currently working on preparing and developing a comprehensive development plan for the Azraq area, aiming to develop the region environmentally and tourism-wise, where it includes the water reserve and the natural reserve and Azraq Castle.
Al-Masri added that the projects being implemented aim to enhance Azraq's position on the national tourism map, and include the rehabilitation and development of crafts areas, removal of urban deformities that affect tourism movement and residents' comfort, in addition to improving the road network and infrastructure in the area.
He explained that the plan will include allocating new areas for population expansion to serve the people of Azraq, which will be prepared in partnership between the Ministry of Local Administration and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation.
He affirmed that all work on the comprehensive plan will be completed within a year, according to an integrated work program that ensures the acceleration in providing qualified craft and industrial areas within Azraq, and finding integrated solutions for residential, commercial, and crafts areas, thereby enhancing sustainable development in the region.
Al-Masri mentioned that the development of the comprehensive plan for Azraq came in compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister during his visit to Azraq two days ago, aiming to develop the city, making it an attractive environmental and tourist center extending from the Shomari Reserve and the water reserve to the water bodies currently being developed, in addition to the importance of repositioning Azraq on the tourism map, especially after the United Nations Tourism Organization announced the selection of North Azraq village among the best tourist villages in the world for the year 2025.
On their part, stakeholders expressed their optimism about the comprehensive plan discussed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Azraq district in Zarqa Governorate, which focused on achieving comprehensive developmental goals in the area.
They confirmed that the comprehensive plan presents a great opportunity for the Azraq area to create promising investment opportunities and place it on the map of tourism and development in Jordan.
They noted that the comprehensive plan focuses on the touristic aspect in Azraq by developing the site of Azraq Castle and developing a number of service institutions and establishing new projects in several sectors such as transport, health, environment, and light industries.
Mohammed Al-Awartani, Director of the Regulation Department at Azraq Municipality, said that the comprehensive plan discussed during the Prime Minister’s visit to the area is a promising plan, focusing on comprehensive developmental dimensions in several areas, most importantly utilizing the site of Azraq Castle to establish a modern tourist path and tourist and service projects in the area, improving health services through the development of the health center to be comprehensive, equipped with the necessary devices and staff, in addition to proposing a project to construct a 100-meter wide international road that connects the kingdom with the Iraqi border, which will grant the area significant developmental and investment opportunities and provide job opportunities for its people.
Al-Awartani pointed out that the plan also includes setting up two crafts areas in North and South Azraq to relocate all craft sites and light industries from within the city to these areas, making them the nuclei for craft and industrial cities in the future away from tourist sites and residential areas, in addition to a project to establish a vocational training center in the district that provides educational and vocational training opportunities for youth.
He explained that the municipality sees this comprehensive plan as a great opportunity for Azraq city to provide investment opportunities through leveraging the proposed international road to boost commercial activity, and establishing public parks that serve the residents of the area.
Former Member of Parliament, lawyer Faisal Al-Awaour, said that developing the comprehensive plan for the Azraq area enhances the touristic capital of the area, develops economic projects therein, provides additional job opportunities, more employment especially in the environmental and touristic sectors, and restores the beautiful face of its oases, pointing out that establishing craft and industrial complexes will strengthen craftsmen and enhance investment interest in the region.
On their behalf, representatives from local community institutions and residents of Azraq emphasized the importance of fully implementing the comprehensive plan, and the necessity to accelerate the work on it, appreciating the Prime Minister's attention to the Azraq area to make it a true developmental center benefiting everyone, providing job opportunities for its residents, attracting more tourists, and placing Azraq on the map of tourism and development in Jordan.
They called for the unity of all popular and official efforts to work together to achieve the overarching goals of the plan, and to take advantage of promising opportunities in the area.
