About 80 per cent of these exports go to Arab markets. Lejoun Water Project On March 18, Minister of Water and Irrigation Hatim Halawani stated that the government would proceed with the implementation of the Lejoun water project as an attempt to offer additional drinking water to citizens. The Lejoun aquifer is situated in Karak Governorate. On March 13, the Cabinet decided to lower the sales tax on some industrial products and eliminating the tax altogether on some of the vegetable and fruit products, as well as preserved olives and animal feeds. Jordanian women make up 16.5 per cent of the overall workforce in the Kingdom.
Most female employees work in the educational and medial sectors.
The Economic Consultative Council On March 15, the Economic Consultative council tackled a controversial position paper on how to improve the ailing agricultural sector, which consumes the lion's share of the country's scarce water resources. Introduction of plastic tunnel farming, improvement in marketing policies, expanding exporting capabilities, upgrading agriculture-related industries and rationing water use through proper legislation were discussed during the meeting. During his visit to Amman to attend the meeting of the Arab Ministers of trade and economy on March 23, Egyptian Economic Minister Boutros Ghali announced that a multi-million dollar gas pipeline would pass through Jordan to neighboring states in the first stage before funneling to Turkey and Europe. He added that both Egypt and Jordan were agreed in principle to launch this project and would further discuss technical matters. Addressing the visiting Egyptian business delegation, he stated that Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia should join forces to establish an Arab free-trade area so as to compete effectively with the huge European market.