Aqaba, July 1 (Petra) - Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Queen Rania Foundation (QRF) on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement to implement the Iqrali program in Aqaba.

The program promotes early childhood reading and supports families's efforts to achieve early's language and cognitive development.

Karimah Dabet, ASEZA's Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and Bassem Saad QRF's CEO, signed the agreement.

Talking during the signing ceremony,, Dabet said the partnership reflects ASEZA's "commitment to investing in early childhood as a cornerstone of sustainable" development, adding that fostering reading habits from an early age provides children with the necessary future knowledge and skills.

Saad said the program spurs parents and caregivers to make reading with children a daily practice from birth, which would support their linguistic, cognitive, and social development.

On its goals, he stated the partnership will expand the program's reach to more families across Aqaba and help cultivate a culture of early literacy that lays the foundation for lifelong learning.