The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan) hosted an executive luncheon at the Amman Marriott Hotel in honour of outgoing American Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan David Hale.

Hale was sworn in as American Ambassador to Jordan on November 2, 2005. Prior to taking on this post, he had been Chargé d'Affaires in Jordan since July 2004 and deputy chief of mission between July 2003 and July 2004. He also served as the state department’s director of the office of Israel and Palestinian affairs, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Beirut, the executive assistant to the US secretary of state.

“We hold this farewell gathering to put a fitting end to an era marked by impressive growth in Jordan-US relations. Our gathering today, above all else, is held in commemoration of the strong ties we at AmCham-Jordan hold with the American Embassy. Together we had seen our Kingdom strengthen bilateral relations with American officials, government and people, a goal both our entity and the Embassy have worked diligently to achieve,” said chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan Raja Khouri.

“I’ve been in Jordan on this assignment for nearly five years now, and I first served in Amman as a junior diplomat 18 years ago.  I carry with me two mental snapshots, the Jordan I saw 18 years ago, and the Jordan I see today, this transformation is remarkable.  Jordan has come so far that I am confident that its leadership, under the guidance of King Abdullah, and its business community have the tools to meet these challenges.  And I am confident that our close partnership will continue for years to come. Thank you and best of luck as you continue your work for a prosperous Jordan,” said Hale. – TradeArabia News Service