Day: 28 March 2024

Amman: Fixed voice communication services subscriptions totaled about 493,000 until the last quarter of 2023, with the home and trade sectors accounting for 67% and 33%, respectively.

Published on its website, the statistical report of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) addresses Jordan’s telecom sector indicators for the last quarter of the year 2023 for fixed and mobile phone services, broadband Internet packages and leased line provision.

Volume of fixed telephone traffic was about 11 million call minutes recorded during the last quarter last year, with local traffic at 88% and 12% for international destinations.

On the other hand, the report indicated that the technology-based fixed Internet broadband subscriptions amounted to 805k until the end of the last quarter of the year 2023.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni, on Thursday, discussed with the World Bank, in the presence of the Acting Secretary General of the Ministry, Engineer Osama Al-Karadsheh, the outcomes of the technical assistance given by the Bank.

Tahtamouni emphasized the significance of establishing a broad framework and national policy for the sustainable financing of roads, considering the substantial expenses incurred by the government in creating the road network and its incapacity to supply the funds required for its upkeep and construction.

The delegation reviewed the outcomes of the technical assistance given to carry out public-private partnership projects aimed at creating and preserving the road network during the meeting.

The World Bank team clarified that additional research on the financial and environmental aspects of the aviation industry is required in order to establish a suitable air transport policy.

The team moreover examined the protocols being executed by the Jordanian government in
collaboration with the World Bank concerning the assessment of the rapid bus feeder line network, with the objective of enhancing the quality of service given to the populace.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: The Ministry of Health in Gaza said Israeli occupation committed 6 massacres against Gaza families, killing 62 Palestinians and injuring 91 others during the past 24 hours.

In the daily statistical report on the Gaza casualties by the ongoing Israeli aggression on the 174th day, the ministry indicated that multiple victims are still unrecovered as Israel army bar access of ambulance and civil defense crews to victims.

The ministry also announced that Gaza death toll by Israeli aggression on the coastal enclave since October 7 rose to 32,552 martyrs and 74,980 injured.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Jordan’s exports to European Union countries accounted for 60.9% out of the total national exports during January of this year.

According to foreign trade data issued by Department of Statistics (DoS) AND monitored by “Petra”, the value of national exports to European Union nations went up in January of this year, reaching JD37 million, compared to JD23 million for the same month last year, driven by an increase in the volume of Jordanian exports to the Netherlands, which reached JD13 million.

Meanwhile, value of national exports to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) countries grew by 2.4% in January of this year, reaching JD210 million, compared to JD205 million, driven by an increase in the volume of national exports to the Iraqi market, at a value of JD51 million.

As for the volume of national exports to North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in January of this year, their value increased by 18.5%, reaching about JD192 million, compared to JD162 million for the same month last year.

T
his surge is driven by the increase in the volume of Jordanian exports to the United States, reaching JD186 million, the report revealed.

As for the volume of national exports with non-Arab Asian countries in January of this year, the data showed a decline of 8.1%, reaching approximately JD102 million, compared to the same month of last year, which amounted to JD111 million, driven by a decrease in volume of Jordanian exports to the Indian market that reached JD45 million.

Per the report, the volume of national exports to the rest of the economic blocs dropped by 38.8% in January of this year, reaching about JD52 million, compared to JD85 million for the same month last year.

This decline is due to a decrease in the volume of exports to free zones, where it reached about JD23 million, the report said

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Exchange companies operating within Jordan’s local market are experiencing a significant surge in demand for the Jordanian dinar, surpassing interest in other foreign currencies. This notable trend has been emphasized by Firas Marwan Sultan, the representative of the financial and banking sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Sultan highlighted the substantial demand for the dinar, attributing it to the increasing remittances from Jordanians working abroad. He noted that alongside this, there are positive indicators suggesting a stabilization in the national economy, with expectations of heightened demand in the days leading up to the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Currently, the exchange sector comprises 250 companies and their branches scattered across the kingdom, employing approximately 4,000 Jordanian workers.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, held a telephone discussion Thursday with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron, focusing on efforts to secure an urgent ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The conversation also touched upon strengthening bilateral ties and nurturing the longstanding friendship between both nations.

Safadi and Cameron underscored the significance of United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan. They emphasized the imperative of its implementation and pledged to sustain cooperation and coordination to ensure prompt and sustainable humanitarian assistance reaches all areas of the Gaza Strip.

Safadi commended Britain’s support for the Security Council resolution, highlighting the urgency of implementing it and halting the aggression as a paramount goal requiring unified efforts from the international commu
nity.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Amjad Rawashdeh, Director General of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO), stated that the Jordanian-Iraqi electrical connection will commence operations this Saturday.

Rawashdeh told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Thursday that the connection will link Jordan’s Al-Risha station with Iraq’s Al-Rutba station, providing power at 132 kilovolts to supply the Al-Rutba area near the Jordanian border.

On February 11, 2024, Jordan and Iraq signed an agreement to provide the latter with 40 megawatts of electrical energy initially, as part of a broader Arab initiative for a joint energy market.

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity confirmed the completion of the Iraqi-Jordanian electric line’s setup, setting its operational start for this coming Saturday, March 30th

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Amman Stock Exchange saw a decrease of 0.56 percent in its daily trading, closing at 2,457 points.

Trading concluded on Thursday with 2.3 million shares exchanged through 2,059 contracts, totaling approximately JD3.6 million in trading value.

While the stocks of 26 companies experienced declines, 20 companies saw increases, and 40 others remained stable.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Saud, engaged in discussions with Australian Ambassador Bernard Lynch to explore avenues for enhanced collaboration in water projects within Jordan.

In their meeting, Abu Saud provided an overview of Jordan’s current water landscape. Despite efforts by the nation to bolster its water resources, challenges persist. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and the influx of refugees have contributed to an increasing gap between water demand and availability, said the minister.

Abu Saud emphasized the proactive measures undertaken by Jordan’s water sector to address these challenges. These include the integration of alternative energy sources for water facilities and the implementation of comprehensive programs to mitigate losses, improve supply efficiency, and maximize the utilization of treated water. Additionally, he highlighted significant long-term initiatives like the national carrier project aimed at providing sustainable solutions to Jordan’s
water woes.

Acknowledging the Australian government’s ongoing interest in fostering robust cooperation with Jordan in water and sanitation domains, Abu Saud expressed optimism about bolstering Australian support. Specifically, he looked forward to Australian assistance in implementing renewable energy initiatives within the water sector, alongside strategic water projects vital for Jordan’s water security.

Lynch commended the proactive measures taken by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. He reiterated Australia’s commitment to collaborating closely with Jordan to ensure the success of the nation’s pioneering water projects.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Senate greenlit the 2024 General Pardon Law in a session chaired by Speaker Faisal Fayez and attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, clearing criminal and misdemeanor records up to March 19th and absolving individuals of fines and fees tied to their crimes while allowing civil obligations to proceed.

The proposed legislation omits 38 offenses, notably those related to state security, terrorism, weapons, explosives, drugs, and various forms of violence, fraud, and criminal activity. This includes crimes against public authority, forgery, assault, theft, arson, espionage, economic crimes, slavery, human trafficking, and money laundering, among others. Additionally, it exempts individuals from fines related to income, sales, and customs taxes.

The Senate also endorsed the amended Queen Alia International Airport agreement, which stretched its duration to 2037. The extension resolves financial disputes and mandates expansion efforts.

Nancy Namrouqa, the Minister of State for Legal Affairs, clar
ified that the extension of the agreement was part of a settlement. In this settlement, the investor relinquished financial claims worth millions of Jordanian dinars against the government due to its breach of the agreement regarding civil aviation fees and the imposition of an increased departure tax. Additionally, the settlement involved the investor’s commitment to undertake expansion projects.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, on Thursday received a phone call from Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, during which the duo stressed the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and delivery of sufficient, sustainable and instant aid to all areas of the coastal enclave.

The two ministers stressed importance of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2728, which the Council adopted on March 25.

The duo called for a ceasefire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan, and voiced importance of respecting international law and international humanitarian law.

Safadi discussed with his Irish counterpart the efforts made to stop aggression against Gaza and end the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe on more than 2 million Palestinians, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The two ministers affirmed the continuation of joint work and cooperation in efforts to bring aid into Gaza.

Additionally, Safadi thanked Martin for his country’s position
on the necessity of launching a ceasefire, respecting international law, and implementing the two-state solution as a way to achieve peace.

Safadi also stressed the importance of Ireland and other European countries to declare their recognition of the Palestinian state.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Doha: The International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar, hosted by Qatar for six months, drew to a close in Doha on Thursday, marking a historic milestone as the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.

Jordan participated in the exhibition, which commenced on October 2nd. The Jordanian pavilion emerged as a focal point of interest, showcasing the nation’s rich tapestry of tourism, agriculture, archeology, and heritage. Its presence served as a beacon, casting a spotlight on Jordan throughout the exhibition’s duration, ultimately fostering increased tourist inflow and foreign investment interest in various sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and entertainment establishments.

Throughout the six-month expo, the Jordanian Pavilion welcomed a diverse array of visitors, including members of the Jordanian community in Qatar, as well as individuals from various Arab and foreign nationalities, alongside numerous officials and delegates from other participating countries. The pavilion attracted an
estimated 90,000 visitors over the duration of the event, averaging approximately 5 visitors daily.

Participation in Expo Doha afforded Jordan a platform to showcase its investment promotion strategy for 2023-2026, highlighting the Kingdom’s investment environment, its advantages, developmental regions, priority sectors, and the potential returns on investment for both public and private sector stakeholders.

The Jordanian pavilion showcased an array of iconic landmarks, monuments, and indigenous crops from across the Kingdom’s diverse landscapes, alongside promoting Jordan’s renowned tourist and archaeological sites.

Designed in the form of a tent, blending modernity with ancient traditions and Jordanian culture, the pavilion featured native plants such as wormwood and aloe vera, complemented by traditional artifacts including robes, lanterns, mahabish, coffee pots, handmade rugs, pillows, and tables made from sheepskins.

The Jordan Valley region, celebrated for its lush forests and towering trees includi
ng cypress, oak, pine, and acacia, stood as a cornerstone of the Jordanian Pavilion, representing the nation’s agricultural wealth.

Visitors were treated to a mosaic floor from Madaba spanning 42 square meters, alongside elaborate models depicting landmarks like the Roman Theater, Petra, and the majestic hills of Wadi Rum, leaving a lasting impression of Jordan’s natural beauty and architectural marvels.

Many visitors expressed that their experience at the Jordanian pavilion sparked a desire to explore Jordan firsthand. Guests had the opportunity to indulge in traditional Jordanian cuisine, notably Mansaf, a dish renowned across the Arab world.

The Jordanian pavilion at Expo Doha offered visitors a virtual journey through Jordan’s most iconic tourist destinations and historical sites, capturing the essence of the kingdom’s cultural heritage and natural wonders, inspiring countless individuals to plan future visits to Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency