Upon His Majesty King Abdullah's directives, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, head of the follow-up committee on the implementation of royal initiatives, Saturday announced that a new package of development projects will be launched in Balqa Governorate.

He spoke during a meeting with dignitaries and representatives of youth and women’s organisations in Balqa, in the presence of governor Firas Abu Qa'ud, where he listened to the key needs of the region, and pledged to meet them within available resources.

Among the projects are: building 100 housing units for underprivileged families, which are chosen in line with Ministry of Social Development criteria, a factory under the "productive branches initiative", which will generate 200-400 job opportunities, turning the Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Sports Complex into an integrated sports city with the aim of promoting the youth and sports movement in the governorate, in addition to a park in Mahes.

He said these projects will be gradually implemented according to timetables under the supervision of the royal committee and in cooperation with partner government entities.

Issawi told the meeting that His Majesty the King is keen to reach out to the people across the country, listen to their needs and direct the implementation of job-generating projects in line with the features of each region, and achieve maximum balance in the development of governorates to improve living conditions and protect low-income groups.

The local people's demands ranged from solving the problems of poverty and employment to supporting farmers and improving education and health services and infrastructures.