Aqaba, April 24 -- The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) has approved a grace period for the enforcement of the amended Residency and Foreigners Affairs Law, with implementation scheduled to begin on July 3, 2025. Once in effect, the amended law will impose a daily fine of JD 3 for overstaying.

According to ASEZA, the decision is in line with the national strategy to modernize residency regulations and support sectoral development, as outlined in the recently published amendment in the Official Gazette.

In addition to legal reforms, the Board of Commissioners approved a series of development and social empowerment initiatives across key sectors in the Aqaba region.

As part of its youth and innovation agenda, ASEZA endorsed support for the upcoming Aqaba E-Sports Championship. The tournament, which will be hosted in the city later this year, aims to strengthen youth engagement and position Aqaba as a regional hub for electronic sports. The initiative aligns with the national strategy to develop the e-sports sector and enhance its visibility and competitiveness.

The board also approved funding for the Orange Coding Academy's web and mobile development program, which targets young people seeking employment in the ICT sector. A total of 30 trainees from Aqaba are expected to benefit from the program, which aims to equip participants with skills tailored to market demands.

In the social development sector, ASEZA approved support for a local association dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities. The initiative falls under the authority's broader responsibility to improve quality of life and promote inclusive community services, particularly for vulnerable groups.

In support of women’s sports, the board approved the participation of Aqaba’s Girls’ Football Academy in the Jordan Football Association’s national tournament for the 14–16 age group. The decision reflects ASEZA’s commitment to empowering young women and fostering competitiveness in youth sports.

ASEZA also agreed to support the annual "Return of Fishing" festival, celebrating the end of the seasonal fishing ban. The festival aims to raise awareness of sustainable fishing practices and highlight the positive environmental and economic impact of the temporary ban on marine life and local fishermen.

As part of its sustainability agenda, ASEZA approved the implementation of a carbon footprint reduction program for operations at Aqaba’s main port. The initiative, launched in partnership with the European Union and several European countries, aims to reduce emissions and support Aqaba’s transformation into a green city.

Within the framework of the 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Board authorized planning approvals for the establishment of a vehicle licensing and customs clearance unit in Aqaba, designed to improve service quality and meet the city’s infrastructure needs.

Additional planning approvals were granted for the construction of a petroleum storage facility and a new tourism development project in the southern coastal area of Aqaba. The two projects are expected to expand the region’s commercial and tourism infrastructure, providing enhanced services for residents and visitors alike.

//Petra// RZ

24/04/2025 11:06:03