Day: November 4, 2021

Jordan received Thursday a shipment of 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by China.

The initiative reflects the robustness of the historical and strategic partnership between Jordan and China in all fields, especially health care, said Firas Hawari, Minister of Health during a ceremony at the Sports City’s vaccination center, in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong.

This donation, he added, will support the national immunization campaign, which targets citizens, residents and refugees, thanking the Chinese envoy for his government’s generous donation and support to Jordan in various fields, most notably the fight against coronavirus.

The Chinese Ambassador said that Jordan and China’s collaboration in tackling the pandemic reflects the profound friendship between the two countries, and has boosted confidence and resolve in defeating the virus. “The vaccination center where we are is miniature of our joint efforts in fighting the pandemic,” he pointed out.

He highlighted that Jordan played an active role in in the clinical trial of the Sinopharm vaccine and was among the first countries to grant approval for its emergency use.

Many Jordanians took Sinopharm jabs, he said, calling it a “vote of confidence for Chinese vaccines.” He also lauded the Jordanian government’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Under the personal guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and with concerted efforts of all quarters of society, Jordan has made encouraging achievement in containing the pandemic, the envoy pointed out. “A very important aspect is the national campaign of vaccination, which builds an immune barrier and protects people’s health and safety,” he added.

He also indicated that the epidemiological situation in Jordan is under control and the economic recovery is on track and the society is retuning to normalcy.

“I would like to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government, our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Jordan, especially the Ministry of Health, for facilitating inoculation of Chinese nationals and students in Jordan and treating those who contracted COVID-19,” he noted.

Source: Jordan New Agency

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Thursday said that growth in Jordan is expected to reach 1.5 per cent for 2021, as movement restrictions are gradually lifted towards the end of the year.

Sustained by stronger cross-border trade and a continued recovery in the tourism sector, growth is expected to rise to 2.2 per cent in 2022, according to the EBRD’s latest Regional Economic Prospects (REP) report.

Finance and business-related services as well as manufacturing and mining were the main drivers of growth in 2021, while tourism continued to weigh negatively on growth. Inflation volatility subsided as prices resumed their gradual acceleration, with the inflation rate reaching 1.9 per cent year-on-year in September.

The EBRD also raised its growth forecast for the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region to 4.2 per cent for 2021.

The recovery in economic activity has started in most economies of the SEMED region, the report said, and is mainly driven by a rebound in the agriculture and telecommunications sectors as well as limited growth in tourism and exports.

The future economic rebound will depend on the strength of the global recovery, progress in the vaccination rollout, political developments and the implementation of reforms to the business environment. The EBRD report named increasing competition, improving governance, combating corruption, advancing digitalisation and promoting inclusion as key steps to attracting investors.

For 2022, output in the SEMED region is expected to grow by 4.4 per cent, reflecting a strong pickup in economic activity, notably in Egypt and Morocco.

Source: Jordan New Agency

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip on Thursday announced that 4 new coronavirus fatalities and 201 new cases were recorded during the last 24 hours.

In a daily brief on COVID-19 in the coastal enclave, the ministry said that a total of 160 new coronavirus patients have recovered, raising the recoveries to 179,582.

The total number of COVID-19 infections in the strip reached 1,424,455, including 3,286 active cases and 1,587 deaths, it added.

The report said 92 cases needed hospitalization and 60 were serious or critical.

Source: Jordan New Agency