Sanaya Amman

Amman, Jordan

Amman’s double distinction

 

Amman’s skyline will soon look strikingly different. The twin soaring structures of Limitless Towers are set to rise over 200m in the heart of Abdoun upon completion in 2011.

They will be the tallest – and two of the most distinctive – buildings in Jordan. The residential development, up to 60 storeys, will form a new hub in the west of the city, and will showcase some of the most daring architecture in the Middle East, including the world’s highest suspended swimming pool, at 125 metres. The glass-bottomed pool, accessed from the 40th storey of each building, will provide a bird’s-eye view of Amman and beyond.

Other distinguishing features include private terraces, express elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows. The unique stone façade of the Towers will adapt to outside conditions: it will shield light and heat during the day, fade to the warm colours of sunset, before backlights provide illumination at night.

The development will set new levels in sustainable design, and aims to meet world environmental standards. Energy-saving light sensors and water recycling schemes are among numerous eco-friendly initiatives.

The Towers will also boast an indoor plaza with retail, entertainment and leisure facilities as well as extensive landscaped grounds spanning 5,600 square metres. Construction of the US$300 million project is due to start in October 2008.

Project background
Limitless Towers marks the beginning of the city’s urban development plan, led by the Greater Amman Municipality. Limitless has recently launched Amman-based operations ahead of further planned projects in Jordan.

At a glance
 91,200 sqm of residential space
 1,500 sqm of retail and restaurant space
 Approximately 600 residential units for almost 2,000 people
 Total area covers 117,133 sqm

 

Government to set up zones in Jordan Valley, Dead Sea area

 

AMMAN (Petra) - The government plans to set up development zones in the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea area to ensure sustainable economic growth throughout the Kingdom, Labour Minister Bassem Salem told a large gathering of businessmen and investors Highlighting the objectives of the recently established King Hussein Ben Talal Economic Zone in Mafraq and the Economic Development Zone in Irbid, Salem stressed that the proposed regions will enable all citizens across the Kingdom to reap the benefits of development.

The King Hussein Ben Talal Economic Zone seeks to draw around JD800 million in investments to provide around 35,000 job opportunities while Irbid’s zone plans to draw around JD0.5 billion in investments and to provide around 13,000 job opportunities, the minister indicated. The development zones are expected to address poverty and unemployment problems and improve the living standard of people in such areas. The minister also pledged that the government will tackle obstacles facing investors in order to boost investments. He conceded that there are delays in certain areas such as infrastructure but assured businessmen that their remarks will be forwarded to the prime minister for solutions. Responding to a question regarding the licensing of new refineries, Salem said the government does not intend to issue any such licences and indicated that the strategy of the energy sector aims at expanding the existing refinery by attracting a strategic partner.

Batayneh describes public transport as knotty issue that needs reorganisation

 

AMMAN (Petra) - Transport Minister Alaa Batayneh described the public transport sector as a knotty issue that needs reorganisation. Addressing a monthly gathering organised by the Jordan Exporters Association, the minister indicated that the Kingdom’s public transport comprises 32,000 vehicles, 88 per cent of which are owned by individuals. “The routes that were previously authorised were not based on studies due to the lack of sufficient information about the sector,” Batayneh said. “The routes became like an ownership deed and an acquired right.” He pointed out that the transport sector burns up 37 per cent of the overall consumption of fuel derivatives and that public transport accounts for 16 per cent of the mentioned percentage.

He noted that the sector’s national strategy for the years 2008-2010 which was set forth in collaboration with the private sector aimed to identify the sector’s future vision as well as amendments of relevant legislations, stressing that the ministry adopts the free market policy and does not interfere in setting the public transport fares. According to the minister, there is an intention to reconsider a previous decision prohibiting non-Jordanians from investing in land public transport and freight sector. He even expected a government decision in the very near future to include the transport sector among others that benefit from the Investment Promotion Law. “Such decision will encourage investors to engage in the sector and benefit from exemptions which will in turn positively reflect on the development of the Kingdom’s exports,” he said. He called on individual truck owners to establish private companies pointing out that out of over 13,770 trucks serving the Kingdom, 58 per cent are owned by individuals.

The minister noted that 78 per cent of the total number have been in service for over 10 years. He stressed that ageing vehicles hinder the export of goods, particularly agricultural products, and highlighted a government drive during the past two years that exempted public transport trucks from custom duties in a bid to encourage their owners to replace them with new vehicles. Batayneh indicated that Jordan was among 13 Arab countries that approved a railway linkage agreement during meetings of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. The agreement requested those states to implement their internal railway network within 10-15 years. “The government has allocated JD100 million in 2009 state budget for the purpose of expropriating lands for the implementation of the project,” the minister said. The project’s cost is estimated at JD2.7 billion for infrastructure, while JD1.4 billion will be disbursed for purchasing rail fleet that would cover 1,086 kilometres inside Jordanian territories. With regard to Amman- Zarqa light railway project, Batayneh said it will start operating in the first quarter of 2011 in accordance with a JD236 million deal the government has signed with a Kuwaiti-Spanish consortium.

The minister added that the train will run on a dual-track railway from Zarqa city to Raghadan Station in Amman city centre along 26 kilometres according to a build, operate and transfer basis for a period of 30 years. Batayneh said the government awarded a tender to expand and operate Queen Alia International Airport to the Airport International Group. The upgrading will increase the airport’s capacity from 3.5 million passengers in 2006 to 9 million in 2010, with the potential of the airport for 12 million by the end of the project’s second phase.