Jordan News UpdatesJordan has expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Iraq over several deaths and injuries that occurred after a gas tanker exploded in Baghdad on Saturday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Sunday affirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Iraq, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Source: Jordan News Agency
The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) on Sunday signed a 3-year agreement to advance cooperation in agricultural research.
The deal also stipulates collaborations in training, media, and technical and economic consulting and support, as well as holding conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Union of Arab Pediatric Societies (UAPS) on Sunday elected its new administrative body, headed by president of the Jordan Pediatric Society (JPS), Dr. Basem Zoubi and discussed pediatrics-related issues and the union’s affairs.
Zoubi’s election came on the sidelines of the 18th Jordanian Pediatric Society Conference and 22nd Arab Pediatric Society, which concluded its activities on Saturday.
In a statement to “Petra,” Zoubi said some 700 participants from Jordan and various Arab countries took part in the conference, adding that more than 120 lectures and research papers were presented by 80 lecturers and experts, including more than 40 presentations from outside Jordan.
He noted activities covered all pediatrics specializations and diseases and seven workshops on a number of important related illnesses were held.
Zoubi noted President of International Pediatric Association (IPA), Dr. Enver Hasanoglu, which brings under its umbrella pediatricians’ societies in 147 countries across the world and its next head, Dr. Naveen Thacker.
In two separate meetings, Zoubi discussed with the IPA’s current and upcoming presidents the prospects for future cooperation between the two sides, adding that Hasanoglu and Naveen Thacker expressed their willingness to provide the maximum possible support to the Arab societies and JPS in the pediatrics fields.
This is the second time Zoubi was elected to assume UAPS’s presidency position.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh has said that Jordan’s debt-to-GDP ratio is currently around 90 percent, emphasizing that his government is committed to structural reform and is pursuing a prudent approach to debt management and reduction.
The Prime Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the Arab SMEs Summit, which opened Sunday in Amman under the theme “Opportunities Beyond Borders,” that the Kingdom’s debt service dropped by JD25 million in 2021, adding, “We have not seen this downward trajectory in many years. We are taking firm steps in this direction”.
Khasawneh, who opened the event on behalf of Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah, stated that Jordan’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a new high of around $17 billion, and that international rating agencies have either maintained or raised Jordan’s credit ratings.
The Prime Minister also indicated that the Kingdom’s wheat and barley reserves are sufficient for 13 and 8 months, respectively, and that his government is pursuing prudent policies to strengthen the Kingdom’s resilience in the face of global market challenges.
In response to a question about a recent reshuffle of his cabinet, Khasawneh said it aimed primarily to ramp up efforts toward achieving economic and political reforms as well as public sector reform.
Arab ministers, representatives from various business sectors and more than 100 SMEs are attending the summit, which is being organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in collaboration with the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO).
The event, which is the first of its kind in the region, will discuss mechanisms for assisting Arab small and medium-sized businesses in accessing regional and international markets, securing financing, and increasing their capacity for expansion.
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Youssef Shamali stated that access to financing is a challenge for SMEs in the Arab world, noting that the proportion of banking facilities provided for these projects does not exceed 9 percent of the total banking facilities.
In addition, he cited the absence of robust regulatory frameworks required to streamline the SME sector as a further obstacle.
To address these challenges, the minister added, Jordan launched a national strategy for financial inclusion, with one of its main goals being to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses, citing the Kingdom’s success in increasing financial inclusion from 33 percent in 2017 to 50 percent in 2020.
For her part, the UN Under-Secretary and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Rola Dashti, indicated that the summit serves as a platform that brings together those looking for funding, training and technology, and those who have the capacity and resources to meet these needs.
She also stated that SMEs’ annual employment rates remain low when compared to large corporations, emphasizing that SMEs can play a critical role in achieving higher and more comprehensive economic growth, particularly in securing new job opportunities for young people, serving as an effective driver of change and development.
The three-day summit will cover topics such as global expansion, market access and global value chains, access to finance, green entrepreneurship, and emerging trends in technology. It also features an exhibition in which approximately 100 small and medium-sized businesses are taking part.
Source: Jordan News Agency
The committee tasked to check on Jordan’s dam safety and their readiness to receive the next rainy season issued its report on these vital water facilities, which showed their preparedness to deal with winter, Ministry of Water and Irrigation announced.
The committee checked on all the main dam sites in the Kingdom’s various regions to announce the results, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Stressing dams’ importance vital water facilities, the ministry highlighted its strategy to deal with the Kingdom’s “limited” water resources and the deceasing rainfall in recent years.
In addition, the ministry highlighted the increasing demand for water, in light of the population rise and economic growth in various fields.
All efforts should be made to “optimally” benefit from downpour, increase storage capacity by building new dams, and best harness the rainy seasons in the Kingdom’s various parts to be used in providing consumption requirements in various household uses industry and crop irrigation, the ministry pointed out.
The ministry’s specialized technical staff follows up on the dams’ operational situation and continues their sustainable work by carrying out periodic maintenance work, the statement noted.
The committee carried out field trips and conducted surveys of valley streams near dams to ensure their “effective” performance and readiness during the rainy seasons, the ministry said.
According to the committee’s report, all dams are “effectively” ready to receive the rainy season, especially Wala Dam according to the recommendations of specialized technicians and its gradual filling process.
Fidan Dam in Wadi Araba, and Ibn Hammad Dam in Southern Jordan Valley, which was inaugurated during the current season, were also found ready, the statement said.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II will head Jordan’s delegation at the 31st Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level, which opens on Tuesday.
Crown Prince Al Hussein is slated to deliver Jordan’s address at the summit.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Plummet in the services sector by 1.11% drove Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) index to fall at the end of Sunday trading session by 0.44% to reach the 2, 486-point level.
A total of 6.5 million shares were traded through 2,085 transactions at a trading value of JOD9.4 million.
The closing prices of 25 company shares traded at the market recorded gains, while 40 others declined. The prices of 23 firm shares remained stable.
Source: Jordan News Agency
A Royal Decree was issued on Sunday, dissolving the Senate as of 30 October 2022. Another Royal Decree was issued, appointing the following as members of the Senate:
1. Faisal Fayez
2. Samir Rifai
3. Abdullah Ensour
4. Hani Mulki
5. Rajai Muasher
6. Ziad Fariz
7. Jamal Sarayrah
8. Jamal Khraisha
9. Abdul Ilah Khatib
10. Mifleh Ruheimi
11. Mohammad Dawodieh
12. Mohammad Najadat
13. Nasser Lozi
14. Nayef Qadi
15. Nasser Judeh
16. Alia Bouran
17. Suhair Al-Ali
18. Akef Zu’bi
19. Ahmad Tbaishat
20. Yassin Husban
21. Bassam Haddadin
22. Hussein Majali
23. Mohammad Momani
24. Malek Kabariti
25. Bassam Talhouni
26. Khaled Kalaldeh
27. Labib Khadra
28. Khawla Armouti
29. Ahmad Abbadi
30. Salim Khair
31. Mustafa Hamarneh
32. Khalid Bakkar
33. Jamil Nimri
34. Mahmoud Abu Jumaa
35. Issa Murad
36. George Hazboun
37. Khaled Abu Al Izz
38. Mazen Darwazah
39. Yousef Goussous
40. Talal Madi
41. Mohammad Azaideh
42. Ihsan Barakat
43. Mahasin Jaghoub
44. Fadel Hmoud
45. Mohammad Kheir Ababneh
46. Khaireddin Hakouz
47. Jamal Shawabkah
48. Abdullah Matar
49. Amin Qatarneh
50. Samir Bino
51. Khaled Ramadan
52. Mustafa Rawashdeh
53. Ibrahim Bdour
54. Ali Sneid
55. Saud Odwan
56. Zuhair Abu Fares
57. Abla Amawi
58. Yacoub Nasereddin
59. Najwa Khoury
60. Ibrahim Tarawneh
61. Maysoon Otoom
62. Abdel Hakim Al Hindi
63. Asia Yaghi
64. Maha Bahou
65. Mohammad Zawahreh
An additional Royal Decree was issued, appointing Faisal Fayez as president of the Senate, as of 30 October 2022.
Source: Jordan News Agency
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, received HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and Member of the Executive Board for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
HRH Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein conveyed greetings of His Majesty King Abdullah to King Hamad, as well as his wishes for more progress to Bahrain and its people.
In the meeting, attended Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HRH Princess Aisha bint Faisal and HRH Princess Sarah bint Faisal, King Hamad requested Prince Faisal to covey his greetings to King Abdullah, as well as wishes for ever-lasting progress and prosperity to the brotherly Jordanian people.
King Hamad commended King Abdullah’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, praising Jordan’s supportive stances towards Bahrain and its people, as well as its remarkable role in enhancing joint Arab action and championing Arab causes.
Prince Faisal is visiting Bahrain to participate in a two-day Gender Equity Seminar the sports field, held in Manama.
Source: Jordan News Agency
HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, President of Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and member of the Executive Office of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday participated in a two-day Gender Equity Seminar in the sports field, which is held in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
HRH Princess Aisha bint Faisal, HRH Princess Sarah bint Faisal, and JOC Secretary General, Nasser Majali, attended the symposium.
Delivering his speech at the inaugural Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) symposium, Prince Faisal hailed the “great” progress witnessed by global sports in gender equality and women representation in various sports positions and organizations.
His Highness said: “In 2006, I attended the ANOC General Assembly and I found out then that less than 10 percent of the delegates were women. Last week, in Seoul at the 2022 ANOC General Assembly, about one-third of the room was female. This to me is ground-breaking progress,” according to a JOC statement.
His Highness also noted : ” This journey has not reached the end. We still have a long way to go, and I’m pleased that the Olympic Council of Asia is pushing for gender equity both on and off the field .”
Over 90 delegates, including 50 women, took part in the event, representing 41 countries. 36 Olympic committee secretary generals, of whom 12 are women, attended, in addition to a group of senior Olympic leaders in Asia and the world.
Source: Jordan News Agency