Day: 24 April 2024

Amman: A recent report of the Executive Program for Economic Modernization Vision has shed light on the intricacies of Jordan’s tourism sector operation during the first quarter of 2024, emphasizing the challenges encountered and strategies employed to overcome them.

It unveiled the persistent influence of regional conditions on the tourism sector, notably affecting flight operations to Aqaba and Amman. This included the cancelation of all flights to Aqaba and a reduction in destinations serviced by airlines, resulting in a slowdown in visitor arrivals from Europe and America. Additionally, delays in implementing the arrivals and departures survey have been reported.

Challenges also extended to infrastructure projects, with a delay in completing the development plan for Al-Sawan zone due to contractual issues. Notably, the activation of electronic ticket usage has been hindered pending approval from the Ministry of Finance.

Moreover, the report highlighted a 10% decrease in international visitor numbers co
mpared to the same period last year, with spending by international visitors reaching approximately 782 million dinars until February 2024, reflecting a 4% decrease year-on-year. Furthermore, the number of workers in the tourism sector by the end of 2023 stood at around 54.8 thousand.

The decrease in arrivals via low-cost and regular flights during the first quarter of 2024 was pronounced, recording a 50% decrease compared to the same period last year. Specifically, low-cost airline arrivals in Amman decreased by 33%, while regular airline arrivals from United Airlines saw a 9% decline.

Despite these challenges, progress was noted in improving connections with target countries and facilitating domestic tourism mobility. Initiatives such as supporting passengers from European countries to Jordanian ownership and backing Royal Jordanian flights from Amman to Aqaba have been instrumental in sustaining visitor flows.

In the realm of marketing, agreements have been inked for joint campaigns with airlines such a
s Transavia, while discussions are underway with Ryanair for the summer season of 2024. Additionally, efforts to enhance visitor experiences through initiatives like the trial operation of visitor transport buses from the Petra site have been underway.

Amidst efforts to preserve heritage and develop tourist sites, strides have been made in maintenance and restoration projects, including the first phase studies of the tourism development plan in the middle of Al-Karak city, works on the Byzantine Church in Aqaba and the Islamic site of Ayla. Moreover, preparations for electromechanical works at heritage sites like the heritage house of Falah Al-Hamd in Al-Salt are underway.

Legislatively, amendments to the Tourism Law for 2024 have been approved, paving the way for further regulatory enhancements in the sector. Likewise, agreements for projects like the “Virtual Reality” experience at the Petra Visitor Center signify strides in product development and experience enhancement.

The report underscores Jordan’s
commitment to navigating challenges while leveraging opportunities to realize its tourism potential. As the sector continues to adapt and innovate, it remains a key driver of economic growth and cultural preservation in the Kingdom.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: A recent report on the Executive Program for Economic Modernization Vision focused on notable accomplishments within the education sector during the first quarter of 2024.

The report, available on the Prime Ministry’s website, emphasized significant strides in reforming high school examinations and transitioning from paper to electronic formats. A key achievement highlighted was the completion of a dedicated examination center at the Ministry of Education capable of accommodating 300 examinees.

Moreover, the report detailed the commencement of pilot operations for the question bank, aimed at providing precise data for assessing performance across various evaluations in a secure and efficient standardized environment. Plans are underway to pilot the system during the national exams for fourth and eighth grades in May.

Under the “My School I Belong” initiative, hygiene programs were executed at both classroom and school-wide levels across 3,773 and 3,696 schools respectively.

Furthermore, 3,739 initi
atives were undertaken to enhance the aesthetic appeal of school environments, alongside tree planting campaigns in every school throughout the Kingdom, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, voluntary efforts from parents and the local community contributed to tree-planting initiatives.

These efforts seek to enhance the learning environment, address associated challenges, and foster awareness about environmental preservation among students, families, and communities, promoting a generation cognizant of environmental significance and its holistic impacts.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Executive Program for Economic Modernization Vision has encountered significant hurdles in its mission to empower women within Jordan’s workforce. The first-quarter report of this program has shed light on the obstacles obstructing projects aimed at women’s empowerment, particularly in terms of infrastructure enhancement and capacity building.

One notable challenge highlighted in the report pertains to the limited availability of initiatives focused on providing essential infrastructure conducive to women’s participation in the workforce. Moreover, a predominant focus by international organizations on capacity-building projects has diverted attention from addressing infrastructural deficiencies.

Another concerning trend unveiled in the report is the reluctance among proprietors of home-based nurseries to register their establishments. This reluctance poses a barrier to ensuring adequate childcare facilities for working women.

In response to these challenges, the government has taken decisive ste
ps. An amendment to the Nursery Roles system for the year 2024 has been approved, aiming to incentivize the establishment of nurseries that cater to early childhood development while facilitating women’s continued participation in the labor force. The revised system delineates clear procedures for licensing various types of nurseries, along with rigorous oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and address any infractions.

Key amendments introduced include the elimination of annual license renewals for all nursery types, a shift towards centralized registration through the Ministry of Social Development for home-based nurseries, and the extension of waiting periods for childcare services up to the age of nine. Additionally, the creation of a new professional designation – Nursery Management and Operation – aims to bolster childcare services within public workplaces.

Furthermore, the amendments streamline the licensing process by removing the requirement for approvals from the Ministries of Health and Publi
c Works. Instead, the establishment of an objection committee serves to enhance transparency and accountability in regulatory proceedings.

Looking ahead, the government is finalizing specific instructions pertaining to the Nursery Roles system. These instructions cover a range of topics, including guidelines for private nurseries, protocols for establishing nurseries within public workplaces, and directives for managing and operating such facilities.

In tandem with these efforts, the government has issued directives aimed at safeguarding the rights of pregnant women, nursing mothers, individuals with disabilities, and night-shift workers. These directives, issued for the year 2023, underscore the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Additionally, significant strides have been made in developing a national index to monitor and evaluate women’s economic participation. This index will serve as a vital tool for tracking progress in women’s empowerment across economi
c, political, and social spheres.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Economic data unveiled a notable 4.4 percent uptick in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, indicating a robust growth trajectory compared to the preceding year.

According to figures compiled by the Amman Chamber of Commerce, the GDP surged to JD36.077 billion, a significant climb from JD34.543 billion recorded in 2022.

The GDP encapsulates the total market value of all domestically produced final goods and services within a country during a specific time frame.

In the context of Jordan’s economic landscape, the nominal GDP represents the evaluation at current market prices, while the real GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced at fixed prices for a given year.

Analyzing sectoral contributions, data obtained by the Jordan News Agency (Petra) explained that the trade and services sector played a pivotal role in propelling GDP growth. This sector contributed JD23.375 billion to the GDP at current prices in the past year, compared to JD22.316 billion in 2022.

The sector’s co
ntributions were multifaceted, encompassing various economic activities. Key highlights include JD547 million from electricity and water, JD959 million from construction, and JD3.348 billion from wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels.

Moreover, transportation, storage, and communications activities contributed JD2.847 billion, while financial and insurance services, real estate services, and business services collectively amounted to JD6.689 billion.

The GDP at constant market prices exhibited a growth rate of 2.3 percent in the final quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The quarterly report issued by the Department of Statistics corroborates this upward trajectory, indicating a growth rate of 2.6 percent for 2023 at constant prices, compared to the preceding year.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The progress report on the Economic Modernization Vision’s (EMV) executive program delved into key achievements and challenges encountered in the data management and development sector during the initial quarter of 2024.

Released on the official website of the Prime Minister’s Office, the report outlined significant hurdles and focal points of progress. Among the noteworthy challenges highlighted was the reassessment and reformulation of the tender for establishing a data center, a crucial component within the ambit of enhancing digital infrastructure for data storage and the electronic government cloud.

Efforts towards its refinement and eventual re-issuance were underscored as essential steps in overcoming this obstacle.

In terms of accomplishments, the report underscored the approval of the amendment to the law guaranteeing the right to access information for the year 2024. This amendment notably revised the definition of classified information and documents, eliminating references to specific de
partments and officials. Instead, it broadened the scope to encompass any form of data, records, statistics, or documents managed or controlled by administrative entities. Additionally, the formation of an information council was highlighted as a pivotal development in this regard.

The initiation of the open government data portal project marked another significant stride forward. This project aims to facilitate the dissemination of open government datasets by various governmental agencies through a centralized platform, thereby enhancing transparency and accessibility of government data.

Moreover, progress was reported on the cloud computing expansion project – the fifth phase, integral to the ongoing efforts to bolster digital infrastructure for data centers and warehouses, as well as the electronic government cloud. Activities encompassing site preparation and device installation were cited as ongoing initiatives under this project’s implementation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat Wednesday met, in Amman, with a delegation of the US University of California on training programmes and cooperation on agriculture.

Hneifat discussed the reforms in agricultural extension, noting the “need” to develop the skills of extension workers through intensive training courses.

The delegates said they would expand their partnership with the Ministry in training programmes in irrigation and modern uses in irrigating crops and cooperate in the extension field by sharing expertise.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: A recent report within the framework of the Executive Program for Economic Modernization Vision has shed light on the significant strides made by the Agricultural Credit Corporation during the first quarter of 2024.

The report, which also identifies key challenges faced by the Corporation, underscores its ongoing commitment to supporting the agriculture sector and enhancing food security in the country.

According to the report, the Corporation has continued its focus on key priorities established in 2023, with six initiatives successfully completed and earmarked for further continuation throughout 2024.

Notably, during the first quarter of the year, loans totaling JD2,298,050 were disbursed to 186 borrowers as part of these initiatives.

In a move to bolster food security efforts, the Corporation collaborated with the Department of Statistics to launch a comprehensive national database. This initiative aims to streamline data collection and analysis, providing valuable insights to inform policy deci
sions and resource allocation in the agriculture sector.

Furthermore, significant progress has been made in projects aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and revitalizing desert pastures. The Corporation received a total of 22 tenders for rainwater harvesting and pasture rehabilitation, exceeding the initial target of 50 sites.

This achievement demonstrates the Corporation’s proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable agriculture.

In another milestone, the installation of warehouses at the Safe Food Company for Food Industries has been completed, marking a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and quality of food products in the market.

Despite these achievements, the report also highlights challenges faced by the Corporation, particularly delays in implementing financial services and procedural improvements. The delay in approving and implementing these enhancements has resulted in postponed tenders and extended deadlines for bid submissions.

Source: Jord
an News Agency

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet has approved two billion dirhams (about $545 million) to repair the damage caused to citizens’ homes and residences as a result of the recent floods and rains.

The cabinet assigned a ministerial committee to follow up on this issue, identify housing damage, and disburse compensation in cooperation with other federal and local authorities in each emirate.

The cabinet deliberated over the outcomes and consequences of the weather conditions that the United Arab Emirates encountered in the preceding days. Over 200,000 reports were handled, involving over 17,000 personnel from security, emergency, and interior ministry agencies, 15,000 local authorities, and thousands of volunteers in addressing the aftermath of the exceptional weather conditions.

On April 16, the UAE witnessed a rainstorm that caused heavy rains at a record rate, the highest in 75 years, which affected various aspects of life and formed floods in various places.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Education, Azmi Mahafzah, received a Qatari Shura Council delegation on Wednesday, currently visiting Jordan, chaired by Mubarak bin Mohamed Al-Kuwari, Chairman of the Council’s Cultural Affairs and Media Committee.

The meeting, attended by the Ministry’s Secretary General for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Sahar Shakhatreh, discussed a number of issues related to the education process.

Mahafzah and Al-Kuwari lauded the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Qatar in various fields, the foundations of which were laid by the wise leaderships of the two brotherly countries.

Mahafzah expressed keenness to continue and develop the historical relations between the two countries and raise the level of existing cooperation, especially in the education field.

He praised the great development Qatar is witnessing in various fields and the important role it plays at the political, economic, and social levels in the region, stressing Jordan’s readiness to provide expertise and qualified educati
onal cadres to contribute to the Qatari renaissance.

For his part, Al-Kuwari conveyed the greetings of the Speaker of the Qatari Shura Council, Deputy Speaker, and members of the Council, expressing his pleasure at this meeting and emphasizing the keenness to enhance the Jordanian-Qatari fraternal relationship in various fields, especially education.

He pointed out the great role of Jordanian cadres and their contribution to the Qatari renaissance, indicating that about 61,000 Jordanians work in Qatar, including 11,000 in the public sector, especially the educational and health sectors, lauding the excellence of these competencies, and expressing the desire to continue to benefit from them.

He highlighted the educational process in Qatar, both public and university education, praising the continuous development of the Jordanian educational process in its various fields, stressing the importance of exchanging visits between the two friendly countries in order to benefit from their expertise.

Source: Jorda
n News Agency

Jordanian editors-in-chief have described His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s visit to Amman as an important step towards Arab coordination for pressing the Israeli occupation to end its aggression on the Gaza Strip.

In separate statements to KUNA, they noted that His Highness the Amir’s visit would also strengthen economic cooperation between the two sisterly countries.

“His Highness the Amir’s visit comes at a delicate time in the region, in light of the ongoing Israeli occupation’s aggression on Gaza,” Editor-in-Chief of the Jordanian Al-Rai newspaper Dr. Khaled Al-Shogran told KUNA.

He pointed out that the leadership of the two sisterly countries share identical views of the recent regional developments.

He noted that the balanced and moderate foreign policies of Kuwait and Jordan play an important role in international and regional politics.

Al-Shogran stressed that Jordan highly appreciates the historical stances of the Kuwaiti leaderships, which have always sided with
the Palestinian rights.

The stances of the two countries have also effectively contributed to enhancing joint Arab action and Arab economic cooperation, he said, pointing to Kuwait’s hosting of the Arab Economic Summit in 2009, a turning point in the efforts to ameliorate Arab economic cooperation and trade exchange.

He highly appreciated Kuwait’s support to Jordan’s development and economy over the past decades.

“This support embodied the deep historical relations between the two countries,” he said.

For his part, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ghad newspaper Makram Tarawneh told KUNA that the visit of His Highness the Amir consolidates bilateral relations.

He commended Kuwaiti-Jordanian relations as a role model for Arab relations in political, economic, social and security fields.

“This visit provides an opportunity for the leaderships of the two countries to continue their consultations and coordination on the current difficult regional developments” Tarawneh said.

He affirmed that the talks in Amman would
focus on restoring stability in the Middle East and ending the Israeli war on Gaza.

Tarawneh added that the two leaders are also keen on upgrading the partnership between their countries.

Kuwait has the largest foreign investments in the Kingdom, he pointed out, adding that this is appreciated by the government and people of Jordan.

Tarawneh said that Jordanians are hoping His Highness the Amir’s visit would help further enhance cooperation in various domains to serve the interests of the two countries at this sensitive political and economic stage.

Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of Alawal News website Usama Al-Rantisi said that the visit of His Highness the Amir to Jordan comes after about 200 days of the Israeli occupation’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people.

“This visit demonstrates the depth of the Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations, which is characterized by coordination and understanding of the overall political and international situation,” he said.

He affirmed the similarity of their stances with reg
ard to the Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Gaza Strip and the regional developments.

Al-Rantisi hoped that the visit of His Highness the Amir would help boost economic cooperation and increase Kuwaiti investments in Jordan.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Huneiti, visited the Central Military Region Command on Wednesday.

Huneiti was briefed on the region’s progress of operational, training, and logistical matters, as well as the duties and tasks carried out by the formations and units.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lauded the region’s personnel efforts in their various areas of responsibility, commending their high readiness to carry out their tasks and duties with efficiency and competence.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The visit of His Highness the Amir Shiekh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Jordan headlined Wednesday’s news in the Hashemite Kingdom, welcoming him to the country.

The headlines included extensive coverage of His Highness the Amir’s visit, articles and reports discussing the importance of his visit that strengthens ties between Kuwait and Jordan.

The Jordanian news posted picture of His Highness the Amir and the Jordanian King Abdullah II, who bestowed Kuwait Amir with the Order of Al-Hussain bin Ali, as an embodiment of the strong bilateral ties and on his first visit to Jordan.

Source: Kuwait News Agency