A royal vision that is good at reading the international map and economic opportunities, not from a position of diplomatic courtesy, but from a position of strategic action that connects Amman, Tokyo, Hanoi, Singapore, Jakarta, and Islamabad in a high-class economic-political tour of action entitled: Diversifying partners, protecting interests, and opening new windows for the Jordanian economy, so that it repositions Jordan in the heart of the Asian transformations that today represent more than 40% of the global economy, while preserving strategic partners. Asia today is not that distant market; An economic, technological and industrial center of gravity, from technologically advanced Japan, to Vietnam rising in industries and areas, all the way to Singapore, the financial and services center, and Indonesia and Pakistan with their vast markets and human and economic resources.

The royal tour comes now, to serve overlapping strategic goals, the most prominent of which is strengthening the communication of Jordan’s role as a regional pacemaker, a reliable partner in combating extremism, and a balanced voice for a state of stability and political rationality, in a region with ongoing crises, in order to gain support for strengthening the stability of the Middle East, which was nominated – rightly – in the statements of the bilateral summits, with the Asians’ emphasis on Jordan’s role as a pillar of stability, and their appreciation of its burden in the refugee issue and its efforts for a just solution to the Palestinian issue.

As for diversifying economic partners and building new bridges for supply chains and investment, it is an exceptional transformational opportunity for production and export to the region, and the bright side of geopolitics this time. The economic agenda is clear, as real opportunities with Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan, the first features of which appeared in Tokyo, aiming to expand cooperation and enhance joint investment windows, in cybersecurity, defense, and energy, in addition to the economy and investment, starting with investment in infrastructure that supports economic growth, and human development programs, within the framework of deeper strategic partnerships. In my opinion, it is crucial for the future of the Jordanian digital economy. As for Vietnam, the focus has emerged on the clothing sector and export industries – labor intensive – which means direct job opportunities for Jordanian youth – if we build well on these goals.

Really benefiting from these opportunities requires prioritizing economic modernization in Jordan, to direct investments, expand the Jordanian export base, and enhance Jordan’s position as a center for industrial and logistical operations in the region, and an attractive center for qualitative investments in future opportunities – all of which Jordan possesses – such as renewable energy, the green economy (water and renewable energy), financial technology, artificial intelligence, and the medical and tourism sectors.

The most important question here remains:

What comes after the return of the king? How do the government, state institutions, and the private sector respond to the windows opened by the king?

In my opinion, a visit of this weight requires an equivalent national response, perhaps starting with an economic-diplomatic operations room, which includes a specialized national team, that transforms the concluded agreements and memorandums of understanding into jobs and investment opportunities through practical programs, linked to a clear timetable, performance indicators, and specific responsibilities between ministries and the private sector, and that the most important thing that begins – today before tomorrow – is evaluative and constructive reviews of the reality of the legislative and investment environment, in terms of laws and procedures. And public administration, logistical and technological infrastructure, and working to improve it so that it meets the requirements of the Asian investor, and enhances its attraction, continuity and expansion in production and export, as well as launching sustainable parallel economic delegations to the targeted sectors, and building dynamic electronic platforms to introduce promising Jordanian projects for investment, with the importance of giving the role of – the initiating partner – to the private sector, whether through the chambers of industry and commerce and others.

The official and private media also have a fundamental national role – as they always have – by building a professional media system for Asian markets and investment houses, and marketing Jordan globally as a safe base for investment, manufacturing and services.

At the core of the tour is a leader who builds bridges, moves before the storm, reads the transformations, re-strengthens the maps of Jordan’s economic and political alliances, and opens the doors…

The responsibility now lies with the government, the private sector, and all state institutions to cross those doors with jobs, factories, and real investments for the most precious Jordan.