The Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED II) Program was 18 months project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), benefiting the people and businesses of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ). and was composed of activities under three major technical areas of work: • Improved ASEZA Institutional and Service Capacity: Under this component, ACED II will work to strengthen ASEZA as an institution and ensure that ASEZA is better able to service its citizens and promote economic growth in Aqaba. • Strengthened Private Sector: The ACED II project will continue to support development of the private sector in Aqaba with a focus on providing support to MSMEs and strengthening of business associations. • Enhanced Community Participation: The ACED II project will continue to support local community activities in Aqaba with a focus on sustaining the relationship between the Neighbourhood Development Activity (NDA) and ASEZA. The Achievements included but was not limited to: • Establishing Aqaba Voice Radio Station • Replacing fuel electricity generators in Wadi Rum and Dissi camps with clean solar energy systems • Design and install bus shelter • Design and build outdoor playgrounds • Establishing computer center to benefit the local community • Equipping Aqaba vocational training center with advanced training equipment’s and tools including full hybrid car model • Provide Aqaba’s MSMEs with capacity building and equipment’s • Provide Aqaba’s women owned businesses with capacity building and equipment’s • Implement several cultural and entertainment festivals to promote Aqaba as family tourism destination • Assist several Hotels in implementing ISO 22000 • Develop ASEZA’s financial forecasting model • Developing ASEZA HR performance management system • Implement Quality Service Improvement Program with ASEZA • Capacity building for hundreds of ASEZA’s staff • Restructuring ASEZA’s One Stop Shop OSS • And much more :)

1. Aqaba Community and Economic Development Program ACED II Panorama
2013 - 2014

2. Three Interrelated Program Areas
The Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED II) Program was a 18 month project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by AECOM International Development, benefiting the people and businesses of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) and was composed of activities under three major technical areas of work:
•Program Area 1 works to strengthen the government institutions, working directly with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)
•Program Area 2 strengthens the private sector by further-enabling the business environment to more effectively attract, support and enhance the numbers, competitiveness, and capabilities of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs);
•Program Area 3 works closely with the local community to further develop its capacity and empower local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Additionally, cross-cutting training and a grants and commodities program support all areas of the Program.

3. The following snapshots presents few of the program’s accomplishments

4. Wadi Rum and Dissi camps solar energy systems

5. Aqaba Bus Shelters

6. Cooperation with Microsoft Citizenship program to support Aqaba’s CSOs

7. MSMEs capacity building and equipment's with Aqaba’s SMP

8. Local Community Grants

9. Aqaba Voice Radio Station

10. Syndicate of Mechanical Professions SMP Capacity building and computers

11. Aqaba Islamic Association Community Computer Center

12. Equipping Aqaba Vocational Training Center VTC

13. Supporting Tourism in Aqaba through cultural and entertainment events (1)

14. Supporting Tourism in Aqaba through cultural and entertainment events (2)

15. Supporting Women owned businesses in Aqaba (1)

16. Supporting Women owned businesses in Aqaba (2)

17. Launching Wadi Rum Sky Gate (Telescope)

18. Capacity Building and Networking

19. The A-Team

20. Mohammad Saleh
ACED II - Deputy Chief of Party
Phone: 00962 79 5825046
Email: msaleh2000@hotmail.com
Blog: http://daily-chat.blogspot.com/
Linkedin: http://jo.linkedin.com/pub/mohammad-saleh/3/2b/4b9
Twitter: @msaleh2000
Skype: mohammadasaleh