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Jordan Names New Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Taleb Rifai, former Information and Planning Minister, Succeeds Akel Biltaji

Washington, D.C. (June 21, 2001) - - Taleb Rifai, former Minister of Information and of Planning, was appointed Jordan's new Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sunday during a cabinet reorganization, succeeding Akel Biltaji who had held the post since March 1997.

Dr. Rifai, fluent in English, accepted his first ministerial post in May 2000 as Minister of Planning and was later appointed Minister of Information under Prime Minister Ali Abdul Ragheb's cabinet last year.

“The minister's educational background and former governmental posts have earned him the reputation of being media-friendly," said Malia Asfour, Director of Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA).  "He is very much looking forward to promoting Jordan and to being introduced to the North American market."

Born in 1949, Dr. Rifai has a long record of entrepreneurial service in both private and public sectors. He headed the University of Jordan's consultations and research center in 1995 and the Investment Promotion Corporation between 1995 and 1997.

Dr. Rifai obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture from the University of Cairo and later earned a master's degree at Illinois Technical University in Chicago and a Ph.D. in engineering and planning at the University of Pennsylvania.  For a period of time, Mr. Rifai also served in the Jordanian embassy in Washington as the Economic Secretary.

For a biographical sketch of the new minister, or for further information on Jordan, call JTBNA toll-free at 1-877-seejordan (733-5673) or email a request to seejordan@aol.com.

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