The Middle East Association is delighted to be hosting a VIP Lunch for Mr James Watt CVO, HM Ambassador to Jordan on 12 March 2010.

Mr James Watt CVO took up his position as Ambassador to Jordan in October 2006. He joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1977 and has had a distinguished career, serving as Ambassador to Lebanon (2003-2006), Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad with responsibility for relations with Afghanistan (1996-1998) and Deputy Head of Mission in Jordan (1992-1996). He also has great experience representing the UK at the United Nations, first serving in the UK Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, responsible for Middle East matters in the Security Council, then holding the post of Deputy Head of the UN Department in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

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.