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AMMAN — Over 42,675 Syrians in Jordan have returned home since the fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime on December 8, the Ministry of Interior said on Wednesday. 

In a report, cited by Al Rai News Paper, the Interior Ministry noted that 7,117 Syrian refugees voluntarily left camps in Jordan to return to Syria, while 35,558 Syrians left from various regions of the kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

On December 6, 2024, Jordan decided to close the Jaber border crossing, which faces the Syrian Nasib border crossing, due to security conditions in southern Syria. 

Permitted groups include Jordanian investors with registered commercial capital, bank employees working in Syria and businessmen who are members of Syrian chambers of industry and commerce.

Jordanian students enrolled at Syrian universities are also allowed to cross, provided they have the necessary academic documents. Official Jordanian delegations, including economic missions, are also permitted.

For Syrians, access is granted to investors and their families holding Jordanian business registrations, as well as Syrians who have obtained Jordanian citizenship.

The ministry emphasised that these measures aim to facilitate economic cooperation, increase commercial activity and support stability in Syria.

The updated travel policy went into effect on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

According to official figures, Jordan is home to around 1.3 million Syrians, including nearly 660,000 refugees registered with UNHCR, out of more than 5 million Syrian refugees in Jordan and neighbouring countries.

In Jordan, UNHCR data showed that 657,000 Syrian refugees are registered with the agency. Around 177,070 are in Amman, 158,585 in Mafraq, 108,826 in Zarqa and 135,535 in Irbid.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah II met with Syria President Ahmed Al Sharaa at Basman Palace on Wednesday and affirmed Jordan’s support for Syrians as they rebuild their country in a way that includes all components of the Syrian society and guarantees Syria’s unity, security, and stability.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, discussions covered the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and keenness to expand cooperation in the fields of trade, energy and water, as well as to enhance coordination on issues of mutual concern such as strengthening Arab unity, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Majesty commended the outcome of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, describing it as an important step towards rebuilding Syria and fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people.

The King affirmed the need for close coordination between the two countries in facing various challenges related to border security and curbing arms and drug smuggling, and stressed the importance of Syria’s return to its active role in the region, the statement said. 

At the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, His Majesty highlighted the need to create conditions conducive to the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees to their country.

The King also condemned Israel’s encroachment on Syrian territory, and reiterated Jordan’s support for Syrian sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

For his part, President Al Sharaa expressed appreciation of Jordan and His Majesty’s stance in support of efforts to rebuild Syria.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, and a number of Syrian officials attended the meeting.

The King and the Crown Prince bid farewell to President Al Sharaa at Marka Airport at the conclusion of his visit to Jordan.

AMMAN — The Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) on Wednesday announced that police have arrested 23 wanted suspects in connection with 13 illicit drug cases in various parts of the Kingdom in the past few days, according to police.

Law enforcement officers also seized large amounts of illicit drugs and weapons with some of the suspects, according to Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi.

One of the major cases, according to Sartawi involved aborting the smuggling of 1.2 million illegal pills in furniture pieces in cooperation with Egyptian law-enforcement agencies, Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

“The Egyptian and Jordanian agencies exchanged information regarding the possible smuggling of a large quantity of illicit drugs via a goods transport truck that was entering Aqaba Port as transit,” Sartawi said.

The minute the truck entered the Kingdom, the police official added, the vehicle was seized and searched.

“Investigators found illegal pills hidden in pieces of wood and furniture,” according to Sartawi.

He added that investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators involved in the smuggling operation in both Jordan and Egypt.

In another high-profile case involving international gangs, two people were arrested in Northern Badia for storing eight kilogrammes in a barrel underground, Sartawi said.

“We received information that the two men had ties with smugglers who resided outside the Kingdom,” the police official said.

Also in Northern Badia, Sartawi said that two people were arrested after AND agents received a tip that they possessed illegal narcotics.

Police found 28,4000 illegal pills in their possession, he said.

Meanwhile, two suspects were arrested in Amman following a raid that resulted in seizing a large amount of Hashish, according to Sartawi.

All suspects were referred to the State Security Court prosecution office for further questioning and indictment, according to a statement by the Public Security Directorate.

Last year, AND officials said around 23,000 drug-related cases were recorded in Jordan in 2023, involving more than 35,000 individuals, with about 13,000 suspects apprehended for alleged drug trafficking or distribution.

• Council of Minister approves tax exemptions, residency incentives to attract investment
• Gov't standardises fees for Syrian, Jordanian transporters to boost trade

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key legislative reforms to bolster Jordan’s economic stability and foster development across several sectors, including cooperatives, customs, and virtual assets.

The Council of Ministers endorsed the draft cooperative law of 2025, which seeks to establish a Cooperative Development Fund within the Cooperative Institution. 

The fund will support small and medium-sized agricultural projects, particularly in rural areas, creating new employment opportunities, according to a Prime Ministry statement. 

The draft law also introduces the Cooperative Development Institute, which will promote the cooperative model across the Kingdom. 

Measures also include simplifying the process of establishing and registering specialised regional cooperatives and aligning the country’s practices with international best standards.

The draft law also emphasises increasing participation from women, youth, people with disabilities and residents of remote areas in the cooperative sector.

The Cabinet also approved the draft customs law of 2025, aimed to increase efficiency and reduce delays in the clearance of goods. 

The law allows the Jordan Customs Department to adopt international best practices and expedite regulatory procedures, ensuring a more efficient and transparent customs process. 

By reducing delays in the clearance of goods, the draft law aims to facilitate smoother trade operations and enhance regulatory oversight.

The draft law also introduces post-clearance audits to strengthen compliance with international standards while safeguarding financial confidentiality. These measures are expected to streamline operations and bolster Jordan’s trade competitiveness in the international market.

With the rapid international growth of virtual assets, the Cabinet also endorsed the draft virtual assets law of 2025, establishing a legal framework for the use of these assets in Jordan. 

The law seeks a balanced approach, encouraging innovation while ensuring financial stability. It also includes provisions for transparency and anti-money laundering compliance, allowing the use of virtual assets for specific activities but limiting their role as a means of payment unless approved by the Central Bank of Jordan.

The Cabinet also introduced amendments to the bank deposit requirements for foreign nationals seeking to renew residency permits in Jordan. 

Under the new measures, property owners will no longer need to deposit JD 10,000 as long as they retain ownership and have lived in the Kingdom for more than two years. 

Additionally, the deposit requirement for non-property owners has been reduced from JD20,000 to JD10,000 for a five-year residency permit. These adjustments are expected to stimulate foreign investment and facilitate long-term residence.

In line with its commitment to sustainable development, the Cabinet exempted the Jerash Eco-Tourism City project from sales tax. Initially conceived as an industrial hub, the project will now focus on creating an eco-friendly agro-tourism destination, reflecting Jordan’s growing emphasis on green initiatives and sustainable tourism.

The Cabinet also approved the exemption of Syrian trucks from additional fees while ensuring the standardisation of fees for both Jordanian and Syrian transporters. This move is in accordance with the principle of reciprocity between the two countries, promoting fairness and facilitating trade.

The Council of Ministers also approved several infrastructure improvement projects, including the upgrade of vital roads such as Sukhnah-Shouna and Wadi Shaib, both of which play a crucial role in the agricultural and tourism sectors. These enhancements are expected to improve accessibility and stimulate regional development.

The Cabinet also endorsed several international agreements aimed at enhancing Jordan’s global partnerships. Notably, a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will focus on empowering women and youth through capacity-building initiatives. Another agreement with Morocco will see the creation of a multidisciplinary vocational training centre, aimed at fostering skills in key sectors like digital technology, health, and engineering.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday ordered the full disbursement of overdue income tax refunds for the years 2020–2022, in addition to 50 per cent of the refunds for 2023.

The prime minister also directed the development of a plan to expedite the processing of remaining overdue refunds within 2025, recognising its positive impact on citizens and the national economy.

Hassan also tasked the minister of finance with transferring JD26 million to the Income and Sales Tax Department to initiate the disbursement of the accumulated refunds and implement gradual payments, according to a Prime Ministry statement. 

The announcement came during the prime minister’s visit to the Ministry of Finance, where he met with Finance Minister Abdulhakim Shibli, directors-general of the Income and Sales Tax Department, the Department of Lands and Survey, the Customs Department, and the acting secretary-general of the Ministry.

The prime minister emphasised the importance of completing the national electronic invoicing system at all stages, stressing its role in ensuring tax fairness and streamlining procedures for both citizens and businesses.

He also underscored the need to enhance services for citizens and investors, accelerate transaction processing and establish a swift response mechanism for all incoming issues.

Hassan also highlighted the urgency of automating and digitising government services, stressing that data archiving would serve as a crucial tool for decision-making.

Regarding the Customs Department, Hassan called for faster procedures and the adoption of global best practices, emphasising the swift completion of a new customs system, which will serve as a digital hub for all customs services.

He also stressed the importance of implementing post-audit practices to ensure the immediate processing of data upon arrival, saving time and effort for applicants.

Hassan also highlighted the need to review the legislation concerning the Department of Lands and Survey, improve its services, expand their availability at government service centres and fully automate these services by the end of 2025.

Regarding capital projects in the budget, the prime minister emphasised the need to accelerate spending and ensure timely completion, whether for projects approved by the government or provincial councils.

He also received updates from the directors-general of various departments on work progress, plans and upcoming projects in each sector.

AMMAN — UNICEF has welcomed the $1 million contribution from Korea to sustain critical water, sanitation, and hygiene services as well as child-sensitive justice and protection systems for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Thanks to this funding, more than 78,000 Syrian refugees in Za’atari camp will continue to have access to safe water and sanitation services, according to a UNICEF statement for The Jordan Times. 

In addition to supporting these services, this partnership will allow the establishing of child-friendly interview rooms in Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps and in host communities for children in contact with the law. 

Social workers and law-enforcement professionals will receive specialised training to adopt trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches, ensuring dignified and supportive responses for vulnerable children.

UNICEF Representative to Jordan Philippe Duamelle said: “We are grateful to the Republic of Korea for its generous support that will allow us to continue providing critical lifesaving water and sanitation services to Syrian families in Zaatari refugee camp."

"We will also be able to continue working with our national partners to enhance the protection and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable children facing uncertain circumstances,” Duamelle added.

Korean Ambassador Kim Pil-woo appreciated UNICEF's "important" role in providing life-saving assistance for refugees in Jordan and reiterated the Korean government’s commitment to supporting the efforts.

The ambassador said: “Since 2011, Korea has contributed over $32 million for refugees in Jordan through various international organisations, including UNICEF. This contribution is a reminder of the Korean government's unwavering commitment to consistent support for UNICEF’s efforts.”

Over 128,000 Syrian refugees are benefiting from the water, sanitation and hygiene services that UNICEF continues to provide in camps. UNICEF has also been supporting interventions for children’s wellbeing, including psycho-social services and combating violence against children, according to the statement.

Through this partnership, UNICEF and Korea reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that families have access to essential services that provide protection, stability, dignity, and hope for vulnerable children and families, the statement added.

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa launched the ceremony of the National Tracking System for Family Violence (TSFV), organised by the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and in partnership with UNICEF. 

The system aims to enhance national prevention and response mechanisms for domestic violence cases, according to a UNICEF statement.

In her remarks, Bani Mustafa stressed the importance of an integrated approach among ministries, government institutions, and civil society organisations in boosting national protection systems. 

She highlighted that the new system is the result of collective efforts to improve procedures for handling domestic violence cases.

She said that the launch of the automated system is a milestone in advancing national case management processes, reinforced by legislative and procedural developments in social service provision. 

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence and its negative social impact, while also ensuring the necessary budgetary allocations for protection services, the minister added.

Bani Mustafa stressed that there is a great opportunity to build on existing achievements, continuously improving mechanisms to facilitate reporting, response, and case management. 

She noted that the system, rooted in a structured case management methodology, will help "effectively" address domestic violence cases, ultimately fostering a safer society and ensuring dignity for vulnerable individuals.

The minister underscored the critical role of training and capacity building for social workers and service providers within the Ministry of Social Development and other institutions. 

She highlighted the importance of professionalising social work through structured training programmes, which will enhance service quality and ensure greater protection for beneficiaries.

Bani Mustafa commended NCFA for its ongoing efforts in supporting at-risk groups and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration in implementing relevant programmes.

NCFA Secretary-General Mohammad Miqdadi stressed that the automation system was developed to meet a national need. It is designed to reflect the national framework for protecting families from violence and outlines procedures that define case management methodologies and the responsibilities of relevant authorities. 

Miqdadi added that this approach aims to enhance service quality and expedite response times by linking all partner institutions, thereby creating a unified case file that documents all information and procedures throughout the response stages.

Following a six-month pilot phase in 2023 involving five institutions in East Amman, the system has been expanded for institutional application. 

The pilot's outcomes led to the development of a governance report assessing system usage, identifying challenges faced by institutions, and establishing foundations and methodologies for effective management and sustainability. A clear definition of roles among parties is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, effective participation and harmony, the statement said.

Miqdadi noted that several institutions have joined to implement the system during the upcoming phase, namely (the Institute for Family Health, the SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, the Justice Centre for Legal Aid, the Tafileh Women Association and the Arab Women's Organisation).

UNICEF Representative to Jordan Philippe Duamelle said that the Tracking System for Family Violence underscores how digital innovation can strengthen child protection systems. 

He added that this is another illustration of Jordan’s efforts and commitment to creating safer environments for children and families, ensuring they receive the care and support they need. The TSFV will allow stakeholders to work together in a more efficient way to ensure timely protection and service provision to vulnerable children.

The national rollout of TSFV marks a pivotal step in Jordan’s role as a Pathfinder Country in the global initiative to end violence against children, a role that was reaffirmed during the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2024.

It also aligns with Jordan’s broader efforts to strengthen national protection systems and fulfil commitments under the National Child’s Rights Law, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, reinforcing the country’s long-term commitment to protecting children, families, and vulnerable populations, the statement said.

AMMAN — The Italian embassy and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Amman on Wednesday inaugurated the ninth edition of Italian Design Day at the Faculty of Arts and Design of the University of Jordan (UJ), which, for the second consecutive year, is hosting this event as a "prestigious" venue for design discussions.

Italian Design Day features a broad programme of promotional events worldwide, organised by the network of embassies, consulates, ITA offices abroad, and Italian cultural institutes, according to a statement from the Italian embassy. 

Every year, for this occasion, over 100 ambassadors of Italian design and creativity share their expertise and vision.

Since its first edition, Italian Design Day has established itself as an "effective" tool for promoting design and supporting the internationalisation of a "strategic" industrial sector for Italian exports.

The event in Amman, moderated by Head of the ITA Office in Amman Elisa Salazar, opened with welcoming remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design Ali Abu Ghanimeh, Italian Ambassador to Jordan Luciano Pezzotti and UJ Vice Rector Nahed Emaish. 

The opening was followed by a keynote speech from architect Alessandro Colombo, professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan, Turin, and NABA, on this year’s theme: "Inequalities - Design for a Better Life."

The lecture was followed by presentations from two professors at the University of Jordan.

Head of the Department of the Faculty of Architecture Deyala Altarawneh delivered a talk entitled "Mass Customisation in Affordable Housing: A Design Solution for Social Equity." 

Head of the Department of European Languages and an expert on Italy and the Italian language Mahmoud Jaran presented "Design and Literature: An Inclusive Synergy against Inequalities."

At the end of the seminar, at the Gallery of the Faculty of Arts and Design, Colombo, in the presence of Pezzotti and Emaish, inaugurated the exhibition "Photography for Lifetime Achievement: Italian Photography’s Homage to the Masters of the Compassod’Oro." 

The exhibition, in its full version, presents around 150 images dedicated to designers, institutions, and companies awarded the Compassod’Oro for Career Achievement from 1955 to the present.

Curated by ADI (the Association for Industrial Design), the exhibition pays tribute to the relationship between photography and design, highlighting photography not only as a documentary tool but also as a "creative" medium that has contributed to the spread and success of Italian design. 

Established in 1954, the ADI Compassod'Oro Award is the oldest and "most prestigious" design award in the world.

This year, Italian Design Day also benefits from its synergy with the upcoming International Exhibition of the Triennale di Milano, which will take place from May to November 2025, titled "Inequalities: How to Mend the Fractures of Humanity."

Italian Design Day 2025 also serves as a moment for reflection in anticipation of the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile Milano, which is scheduled to be held from April 8 to 13, at Rho Fiera Milano.

The exhibition "Photography for Career: A Tribute of Italian Photography to the Masters of the Compassod’Oro" will remain open at the UJ until March 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.