Jordan's strategic location at the meeting point of Asia, Europe and Africa makes it a unique link between the three continents. The Kingdom represents an ideal gateway to key markets throughout the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

Jordan is one of the most promising emerging and plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the region. The Kingdom's internal stability is anchored by its political prominence, active regional participation, steady economic structure and popular leadership.

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, Jordan has demonstrated its commitment to economic reform, especially in the areas of privatization and improving the investment climate. The Government is currently in the process of privatizing its national carrier, the Royal Jordanian airlines.

In April 2000, Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a process that entailed extensive legislative and regulatory reform. Jordan and the U.S. signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in October 2000, which will eliminate virtually all trade barriers between the two countries over a period of several years and create new opportunities for commercial business ventures for U.S. firms seeking to enter the Jordanian market and/or the Middle East region.

Aqaba, Jordan's only seaport, represents a strategic advantage to Jordan's economy as it sits on the tip of the Red Sea Gulf, thus connecting Jordan to various markets throughout the region and the world. The port city has emerged as a thriving oasis combing profitable business opportunities with well-developed residential projects. In May 2001, the Government converted the Aqaba port and surrounding area into a special economic zone (ASEZA) with streamlined bureaucracy, lower taxes and facilitated customs handling. In the ASEZA, the private sector has been given a free hand to develop transportation and communication services, tourism and high value-added activities.

Located north of the city, AQABA's King Hussein International Airport boats modern terminals that can accommodate large numbers of travelers and cargo. The airport constitutes the base of Trafic's operations as it is praised for its tight security backed with state-of-the-art technologies, including computerized detection devices and modern surveillance utilities.