The Middle East Association is delighted to be hosting Dr Alia Hatoug-Bouran, Ambassador of Jordan, for a VIP Lunch at Bury House on Thursday 28 January 2010.

Dr. Alia Hatoug-Bouran, Jordan’s first female Ambassador, took up her post as Ambassador to the UK in March 2006.  Prior to this, she was Minister for Tourism and Antiquities and Minister for the Environment 2003-2005, when she was involved in negotiations for the free trade agreement with the USA; and as Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, EU and NATO, 2001-2003; when she helped to deliver and implement the EU-Jordan Association Agreement. She also took part in the negotiations for the 1994 Israel/Palestine peace agreement, and is a strong proponent of Jordan’s reform process.

Jordan is an important player in the Middle East, both economically and politically.  Its economy has grown strongly over the last three to four years, boosted by trade and business links with Iraq.  The banking, construction, manufacturing, real estate and tourism sectors have experienced particularly strong growth and significant investments are going into transport and infrastructure development.  Foreign investment is on the increase, encouraged by the improvements in the business environment, and the privatisation process is moving ahead strongly, the recent successful privatisation of the port of Aqaba being an example. The 2009 Index of Economic Freedom ranks Jordan 6th out of 17 countries in the MENA region, a measure of the success of the country’s reform process. We look forward to hearing what the Ambassador has to say on business prospects in this promising market, and the Kingdom’s regional role.