Gov't to organise several activities during upcoming spring, Ramadan — Shboul

AMMAN — The government is scheduled to organise several cultural, tourism, social and sports activities during Ramadan and the spring, Minister of State for Media Affairs Faisal Shboul said on Wednesday.

Shboul, who is also the government spokesperson, during a meeting with journalists, said that Jordan is organising many high-profile activities and events in the near future, such as the municipal elections, Ramadan, Easter and a "promising" tourism season during spring and summer, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The minister said that Ramadan will witness many activities and events as the country continues to open up and go back to normalcy in light of the weakening forth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply is overseeing the market and monitoring the international surge in prices due to the Ukrainian crisis, adding that the ministry has increased controls in the market to regulate prices, and placing price caps for vegetable oil.

Shboul said that Jordan is organising two major events that would attract tourists from the region: "Irbid as the Capital of Arab Culture 2022" and "Madaba as the Capital of Arab Tourism 2022," adding that the government has teamed up with the private sector to advertise for Jordan's activities through miscellaneous programmes and events.

On the Ukrainian crisis, the minister said that Jordan's position was and still clear; urging the conflicting sides for "self-restraint and de-escalation". 

He said that Jordan has enough wheat for 15 months, adding that the government has floated tenders to buy wheat and several basic items as a result in price hikes after the outset of the crisis.

The minister noted that the government is working to address the challenges facing print media, not the least of which is the financial problems.

He also said that there are government efforts to solve the problems of print media in the coming period and to ensure the sustainability of their financial resources.