Aqaba Container Terminal signs cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Business Development Center

Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), the Kingdom’s primary gateway to the shipping lanes of the Red Sea and beyond, recently finalized an agreement with Jordan’s Business Development Center. The agreement will initiate a program in which ACT will provide specialized training and potential employment opportunities to members of the local community.

The signing agreement was attended by the Minister of Labor, Dr. Maher al-Waked, members of parliament Mahmoud Yassin, Mohammad Hararh, and Awad al-Zawaedeh, in addition to ACT CEO Soren Hansen and the center’s CEO, Nayef Isteteh.

The initiative supports the shared mission of both parties to facilitate youth development in the Aqaba governorate. As outlined in the agreement, ACT will provide specialized training to recent graduates through an intensive training curriculum. The training sessions will be conducted by experts and will prepare those who successfully complete the course for the job market.

“This agreement will give young Jordanian men and women a great opportunity to receive first-class training from a leading international company,” commented the Minister of Labor. “This cooperative effort between ACT and the government reflects the commitment of our institutions to form public-private partnerships that produce real results. We are very optimistic about the potential that this program has for educated youth from the Aqaba community.”

“We consider ourselves part of the Aqaba community,” added ACT’s Hansen. “When we saw the opportunity to put our resources to work providing community members advanced skills training, it was an easy decision to push forward and develop a full-fledged program. The youth of the Aqaba governorate – especially those who have recently completed university studies – have great potential, and we believe that for many of them this program will be a great step towards realizing this potential.”  

Mr. Isteteh, Business Development Center CEO, highlighted the fact that the agreement marks the beginning of a genuine partnership between the Business Development Center and the Aqaba Container Terminal. Isteteh also encouraged all companies in the private sector to support and fund similar youth development programs in order to prepare the next generation for a skills-based labor market.

According to the agreement, Aqaba Container Terminal will begin by training more than 50 trainees. During the course of the training, the trainees will receive a modest stipend to cover the cost of living throughout the duration of the course.