In line with its environmental commitments in Dibbeen

Amman, December 2009 – In accordance with its efforts to adopt sustainable environmental practices and contribute to forest preservation in Dibbeen, Munya Specialized Resorts - one of the tourism development subsidiaries under Jordan Dubai Properties (JD Properties), the investment arm of Jordan Dubai Capital in the tourism and real estate sectors - announced the signing of a 3-year tree planting agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Al Shajarah Foundation. By virtue of this agreement, Munya Specialized Resorts will be financing the planting of 11,000 trees in Dibbeen by Al Shajarah Foundation, which will be managing and implementing the tree planting process under the supervision of MOA.

As a dedicated specialist in the field of forest preservation in Jordan, the Foundation will carry out the project in strict adherence to environmentally sound criteria in accordance with the three parties' environmental protection commitments in the area, and will be reporting regularly to both Munya and MOA throughout the forestation process to ensure that the preset environmental objectives of both parties are being met. The Ministry will provide the saplings necessary for the project free of charge from the its own tree nurseries, and will offer its expertise and experience to help make the project a success.

Commenting on this step, Mr. Nedal Khawaja, Munya's General Manager, said: “We are very pleased with the signing of this agreement, which will enable us to move forward with the phases of the project and exchange ideas with the agreement’s stakeholders in relation to preserving the area’s environment and forests. As the developers of the Munya Tourism Project, the first eco-friendly tourism investment project of its kind in Dibbeen and one of the largest investment projects in the north of the Kingdom, it is our duty to take the necessary measures to ensure that the project is implemented based on best international and environmental practice. As such, we have made sure to partner with leading organizations known for their dedication to following sustainable and eco-friendly practices, such as Amanresorts, which will be managing the resort, and Ammoun Jordan Construction Company, which we have contracted to implement the first phase of building the resort.”

He added: “Our latest partnership with Al Shajarah Foundation reflects our aim to make sure that the Munya Tourism Project is implemented in an eco-friendly manner. We are also pleased to be building upon our partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, whom we truly appreciate for collaborating with us since the beginning of our operations in the Jordanian market.”

On this occasion, H.E. the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Saeed Masri said: “The Kingdom is taking serious strides towards spreading environmental concepts and activating related practices in relation to forestation policies that increase forest areas in order for them to become the foundation on which different businesses base their operations. Munya has confirmed through its initiative and its cooperation with various authorities and involved parties the importance of private sector participation and the role that they can play in maintaining the environmental balance and expanding forested areas and the positive effect that this can have on the local community. We hope that other institutions take this agreement as a positive motivator and follow the same path.”
Expressing his own views on the signing of the tree planting agreement, Mr. Fuad Srouji, Director of Al Shajarah Foundation, said: “We are glad to be part of this project, which complements our vision of increasing and enhancing areas covered by trees and forests in Jordan. It is always a pleasure to see socially responsible companies such as Munya Specialized Resorts take strides towards ensuring that environmental aspects are taken into consideration, and we commend Munya for its dedication in adopting the necessary measures to ensure the preservation of the forested area in Dibbeen.”

It is worth noting that the tree planting agreement is based on the Higher Regulatory Council's decision in this regard as well as the memorandum of understanding signed between Munya Specialized Resorts and MOA in April 2009, which was drafted to protect and expand woodland areas in Dibbeen with the commencement of the construction of the Munya Tourism Project. The Munya Tourism Project represents a comprehensive and fully integrated woodland resort that will include a number of hotel rooms, chalets and service facilities that are designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and are built according to environmental standards. It was designed to showcase the rich local culture and distinctive natural environment surrounding Dibbeen to help stimulate national economic growth and positively influence the local community by offering a unique tourism experience that helps promote Jordan as an ideal tourism destination on the international level.

Al Shajarah Foundation was established in June 2006 under the guidance and chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah Bin Al Hussein. The Foundation’s vision is to become the main advocate for strategies, policies, plans and programs aimed at increasing and enhancing areas covered by trees and forests in Jordan. Its mission is to promote acknowledgment of trees as living entities, critical to the ecological balance and attainment of sustainable socio-economic development, along with advocating for national policies, strategies, laws and regulations that will conserve and increase that natural cover.

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This news release has been distributed by Bidaya Corporate Communications on behalf of Munya Specialized Resorts.
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