Day: August 29, 2022

Categories
Affairs

JPMC to float JD40 million tender to build new ammonia tanks

The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) is set to to start preparing the necessary documents to float a tender to implement ammonia tanks to enhance safety in the company’s industrial complex in Aqaba and provide the highest public safety requirements in this field as per international standards.

In a board meeting held Monday, JPMC Chairman Mohammad Thneibat said the project, the cost of which is estimated at about $40 million, will be implemented within two years, calling for holding meetings with local technicians and specialists, and brining a subject matter expert from abroad from a specialized company to prepare the required technical specifications for this type of tanks and examine the possibility of converting the current ammonia tanks to phosphoric acid tanks to enable the company to increase the storage of phosphoric acid to meet the expansion of production in order to increase foreign sales of the acid as decided by the Board of Directors.

Thneibat underlined the importance of the project, which is part of the Board of Directors’ efforts to develop and modernize work sites, and provide the highest public safety requirements followed in this field, especially in the industrial complex.

Thneibat also asked the JPMC CEO to expedite the establishment of the advanced ambulance center, approved earlier by the JPMC’s board of directors to be created in the industrial complex at the company’s expense, and equip it with all necessary supplies through the company’s Medical Services Directorate, in coordination with the Royal Medical Services and to serve the southern industrial zone in Aqaba.

For his part, JPMC CEO Abdulwahab Rawad stressed the importance of the new project in the industrial complex in Aqaba, noting that the new projects in the complex will contribute to enhancing public safety procedures in its facilities, maintaining workers safety and ensuring that operations are running smoothly.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Affairs

Trade deficit up 34.6% in 1st half

The trade deficit in the first half of the year jumped 34.6 percent to JD5.044 billion, compared to last year’s figure of JD3.747 billion, according to Department of Statistics data.

The department said in its monthly report on foreign trade that the value of total exports in the first half of the year increased by 43.4 percent to reach JD4.329 billion, compared to JD3.018 billion in the same period last year.

The report also showed the value of national exports shot up in the first half by 45.5 percent to JD3.961 billion, compared to 2.722 billion in the same period last year.

The value of re-exports stood at about JD369 million in the first half, an increase of 24.8 percent, compared to about JD296 million in the same period last year, the report showed.

As for imports, they soared by 38.6 percent during the first half, reaching about JD9.374 billion, compared to JD6.765 billion in the first half of 2021, it revealed.

The report pointed out that the coverage ratio of total exports to imports stood at 44.6 percent in the first half of the current year, compared to 46.2 percent in the same period last year, a rise of 1.6 percentage points.

On monthly basis, the value of the Kingdom’s national exports was JD887.5 million during June of this year, compared to JD579.7 million during the same month last year, an increase of 53.1 percent.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Judicial

PM launches national food security strategy

Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh on Monday patronized a ceremony to launch the 2021-2030 National Food Security Strategy and its 2022-2024 executive plan.

The strategy was drawn up under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to designate 2021 as the year of food security and turn Jordan into a food security regional hub.

During the ceremony, which was attended by a number of ministers, officials, representatives of regional and international organizations, and heads of diplomatic missions, the Prime Minister stated that the Kingdom’s food security measures have moved it up from 62 in 2020 to 49 in 2021 on the Global Food Security Index.

Khasawneh cited the ongoing crises, such as refugee waves, the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and the Russian-Ukrainian war, as the reason for the launch of the strategy, indicating that these crises have made countries vulnerable to food insecurity and exacerbated their economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Fashion

Thru Hike 2022 kicks off in October

The Thru Hike 2022 will take place from October 14 to November 24 on the Jordan Trail, a 675-kilometer hiking route that spans Jordan from Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south, Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Director-General Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat announced in a press conference on Monday.

During the conference, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin said the event is an “essential tool” to promote tourism in the Kingdom, inviting hiking fans to enjoy such events in Jordan’s historical and heritage-rich sites and landscape.

He said local community members are currently trained to receive the trail’s participants, emphasizing adventure tourism’s ability to empower local societies.

Based on previous experiences, this year’s edition is expected to bring positive feedback and a beneficial effect on local communities, Arabiyat added.

He underscored the JTB’s commitment to promoting the event and attracting adventure-lovers from North America and Europe.

Aysar Bataineh, Chairman of the Jordan Trail Association, said the annual event aims to promote Jordan’s tourism, draw income to develop and maintain the Jordan Trail, serve the local community in rural areas where the trail goes through, and make an enjoyable experience passing by diverse terrain and dozens of archeological sites.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Government Policy

His Majesty attends ceremony to present King’s Colours, Great Arab Revolt Flag to army units

His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, on Monday attended a ceremony held by JAF to present the King’s Colours and the Great Arab Revolt Flag to army units.

King Abdullah was received at Al Rayah Parade Ground, located at the Royal Hashemite Court, by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Hneiti.

During the ceremony which included military marches and aerial shows, as well as performances by the JAF music band His Majesty presented the King’s Colours and the Great Arab Revolt Flag to JAF formations.

A number of Royal family members, senior officials and officers, as well as senior officers from Arab and foreign countries and military attachés in Jordan attended the ceremony.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Government Policy

Iraq’s Sadr announces he’s quitting politics, closing bloc’s offices

Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced on Monday he is quitting politics and closing the offices of his Sadrist Bloc following weeks of protests by his followers.

The decision came four weeks after demonstrations and sit-in protests by his followers in central Baghdad and southern cities.

In a statement issued by his office, Sadr announced his final withdrawal from politics and the closure of his offices, directing members of his bloc not to interfere in political, government or media affairs and refrain from demonstrations and raising flags and slogans.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Government Policy

Senate president, UNICEF official talk cooperation

President of the Senate Faisal Fayez and Deputy Representative at UNICEF Jordan Shairose Mawji on Monday discussed cooperation prospects in education, youth support, social security, health, and water and sewage projects.

Fayez highlighted the challenges Jordan faces as a result of regional conflicts, noting that despite limited resources, the kingdom hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and provides them with all services.

He indicated that the massive influx of refugees put additional strains on the country’s infrastructure, particularly the water and sewage, education, health, and energy sectors.

The international community, according to Fayez, has failed to honor its responsibility to the refugees, noting that foreign aid provided to the Kingdom barely covers 25 percent of actual needs.

In this context, the Senate President praised UNICEF’s assistance and called for more funding for productive projects, education, children’s care facilities, and water desalination.

Mawji, for her part, praised Jordan’s important humanitarian role in hosting refugees and offering them access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

She stated that UNICEF is committed to bolstering its support for the Kingdom and assisting with youth empowerment initiatives, indicating that such assistance will be expanded and diversified.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Government Policy

King receives Norway FM

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt at Al Husseiniya Palace.

The meeting covered bilateral relations and means of bolstering cooperation on investments, renewable energy, and countering climate change.

King Abdullah voiced appreciation for Norway’s support to Jordan on a number of development projects and hosting refugees.

Discussing the latest regional and international developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, His Majesty stressed the need to step up efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

For her part, the minister expressed Norway’s appreciation of Jordan’s role in hosting refugees, stressing her country’s keenness to continue supporting the Kingdom, including with the hosting of refugees.

The foreign minister highlighted the importance of bolstering Jordan-Norway cooperation across various sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Norway’s Ambassador to Jordan Espen Lindb?ck attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
General

Blistering heat to persist nationwide

Daytime temperatures are expected to hit 45 degrees Celsius in much of the Jordan Valley and the Red Sea port of Aqaba on Monday as the Kingdom continues to swelter in a simmering heatwave that is pushing mercury levels well above the seasonal average.

Temperatures in Amman will be around 40 degrees, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said in its forecast for Monday, adding that the current hot spill is unlikely to subside before Thursday.

Cooler weather is forecast at night as temperatures slide to around 25 degrees in the Capital, the JMD added, noting that winds will be easterly to southeasterly moderate to brisk.

The JMD urged the public not to leave children in closed vehicles and not to leave flammable or compressed materials inside, warning of poor visibility in the Badia regions due to dust.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
General

Iraqi authorities impose nationwide curfew

The Iraqi authorities Monday said they are imposing a countrywide curfew after 7 pm without indicating when this might be lifted.

The Iraqi Armed Forces said that its joint operations command announced a curfew across the country starting from 7 pm until further notice after the political upheaval that took place in Baghdad.

Source: Jordan News Agency