Jordan's King Abdullah II Visits MD State Capitol For Business Roundtable

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Jordan's King Abdullah II met with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and visited the state Capitol on Wednesday to participate in a roundtable discussion with business and education leaders.

The king's visit was the first time a foreign head of state had visited the Maryland State House on official business, according to a statement from Moore's office.

"This is a way to come together to talk about common goals, to talk about common interests and to talk about cooperation that we think is going to be so important, and we have brought leaders from across the state to engage in this historic visit, as we look to have this very vibrant discussion about our people and our economies and our opportunities and also are futures,” Moore said in his opening remarks at the roundtable, according to The Associated Press.

The roundtable discussion included leaders from the state's biotechnology, engineering, research, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, financial services and technology sectors.

Leaders from Maryland's public and private universities also attended, Moore's office said.

The purpose of the talks was to discuss trade, investment and partnership opportunities between Maryland and Jordan.

Abdullah said he was delighted to exchange views and have the opportunity to “look at some synergies" between Jordan and Maryland, The AP reported.

“We are instantly good friends,” the king said in opening remarks. “He’s a fellow paratrooper, so that goes a long way to this relationship.”

Before he arrived in Maryland, Abdullah participated in United Nations General Assembly activities in New York City, where he delivered Jordan's address before the 79th session.