Local

AMMAN — The Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone will resume operations on Monday, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah said on Sunday.

Qudah emphasised Jordan’s commitment to supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts and enhancing cooperation with Damascus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The announcement followed a meeting of the General Assembly of the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone Company, where Jordanian and Syrian officials discussed measures to improve the zone’s operations. 

Key topics included supporting the Jordanian Jaber and Syrian Nassib crossings, facilitating trade and investment, and extending customs crossing hours to operate 24/7.

The meeting also focused on activating the free trade agreement between Jordan and Syria to boost trade, address challenges faced by the private sector, streamline transportation, and reduce fees for transit trucks.

AMMAN — President of the Private Hospitals Association Nael Masalha said on Sunday that the launch of a direct flight route between Jordan and Benghazi, Libya, represents a significant milestone in strengthening health and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Masalha commended the partnership with Royal Jordanian (RJ) Airlines, which facilitated the opening of the new route connecting Jordan to Benina International Airport in Benghazi, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

This follows the introduction of a direct flight to Tripoli two months ago, marking the culmination of years of efforts to enhance bilateral ties, he added.

The new route is expected to bring substantial benefits to Jordan's healthcare sector by facilitating travel for Libyan patients seeking treatment in Jordanian hospitals while also opening new avenues for investment in medical tourism between the two countries.

The RJ announced plans to operate two weekly flights between Jordan and Libya, with plans to increase the frequency to three flights per week in the near future.

The first Royal Jordanian flight to Benina International Airport was recently welcomed with a special ceremony attended by Royal Jordanian CEO Samer Majali, senior aviation officials from Jordan, and representatives from the Private Hospitals Association.

This development is expected to further strengthen economic and social ties between Jordan and Libya, creating new opportunities for collaboration across various sectors.

The Ministry of Interior has recently announced that Libyan nationals can now travel to Jordan without prior approval.

Under this decision, Libyans can obtain visas upon arrival or apply for an electronic visa, supporting the government’s strategy to attract investments and boost medical tourism. 

It also facilitated travel for Libyan patients seeking medical treatment in Jordanian hospitals and opened new avenues for investment in medical tourism.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Justice on Sunday launched its new and updated e-services portal.

Minister of Justice Bassam Talhouni said all e-services would be activated in all the Kingdom's courts as of Sunday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Talhouni added that the move aligns with the three administrative, political and economic modernisation visions and the plan to update the public sector to automate and digitalise procedures and facilitate transactions for service recipients.

During a press conference, he noted that the portal, which was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, featured improvements to multiple services in the judicial and legal fields, with a total of 46 e-services, including 25 new services and 21 improved ones within the first phase.

Talhouni added that the ministry is scheduled to launch the second phase with a total of 25 e-services, while the third package will provide a total of 29 e-services, bringing the total number to 100 during the current year.

These e-services would "positively" improve the litigation processes, which will reduce the trial duration and enhance the business environment, he pointed out.

Regarding its goals, the minister stressed that the new version of the e-portal provides features aimed to facilitate using the ministry's e-services, adding that the site is also prepared for easy access by people with disabilities.

He said that the ministry had launched the e-services portal at the end of last month on a trial basis, which was activated in the Amman Court of First Instance only to address all the observations during the pilot period, which lasted for about a month.

To ensure adequate use, Talhouni indicated that the ministry has prepared guidelines and explanatory educational videos for all e-services published on its portal.

AMMAN — The start of the second school term for the 2024-2025 academic year has brought mixed activity across Jordan’s commercial sectors.

The stationery and school supplies sector has seen a noticeable uptick in demand over the past two weeks, while other sectors have experienced weaker activity compared with previous seasons, according to industry stakeholders.

Nearly 1.6 million government school students resumed classes last Sunday after the winter break, while around 500,000 private and international school students returned this Sunday.

Traders say the back-to-school season traditionally drives demand in sectors such as stationery, clothing, restaurants, and transportation, with school and university students significantly contributing to local consumption. 

Ongoing economic challenges have pushed many households to prioritise essential items, reducing spending on discretionary purchases.

Khaled Habanaka,  representative of the stationery and office supplies sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, noted a rise in demand over the past two weeks, adding “Demand remains lower compared to the first school term.”

The local stationery sector in Jordan includes about 5,000 stores, employing around 13,000 workers, the majority of whom are Jordanian.

The clothing sector has seen no significant sales boost during this period. 

Assad Qawasmi, a member of the Amman Chamber of Commerce and clothing sector investor, said that the sector has been struggling, and the back-to-school season hasn’t had much of an impact.

Omar Awwad, head of the Jordan Association for Restaurants and Confectioneries Owners, told The Jordan Times that consumer activity in the restaurant sector has not noticeably improved during the back-to-school period. 

He said, “Despite this season typically being a key driver of economic activity, our sector, like many local industries, continues to face ongoing hardships.”

These varying perspectives illustrate the mixed state of Jordan’s commercial activity, where some sectors, like stationery, are seeing temporary recovery, while others are still struggling with financial challenges, according to stakeholders.

AMMAN — Ayla Oasis in Aqaba has emerged as a leading destination for birdwatching and biodiversity conservation, with a recent survey revealing the presence of 106 bird species recorded in the area in 2024.

Conducted by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) through the Aqaba Bird Observatory, the survey underscores Ayla’s growing significance as a hub for sustainable ecotourism and wildlife conservation in Jordan, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Over the past decade, Ayla Oasis has recorded a total of 134 bird species, representing 31 per cent of all bird species documented in Jordan. 

The survey also highlighted the area’s strategic location as a vital stopover for migratory birds, with 73 species observed during the spring migration and 92 species recorded in the autumn. 

These findings reflect the area’s rich and diverse environment, which provides a safe haven for both migratory and resident birds.

The survey revealed that Ayla's diverse habitats play a crucial role in supporting birdlife. It found that 46 per cent of the species were spotted in green areas and golf courses, 43 per cent in artificial lakes, and 11 per cent in desert regions. 

Of the species recorded, 71 per cent were migratory, while 29 per cent were resident. 

The survey also identified several globally threatened species, including the lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, spur-winged lapwing, and stone curlew.

CEO of Ayla Oasis Development Company Sahl Dudin stressed the oasis’s critical role in advancing biodiversity conservation. 

"Ayla has become a vital habitat for numerous bird species, positioning the project as a model for sustainable development and further solidifying its reputation as a leader in eco-tourism," Dudin said.

He also highlighted the longstanding partnership between Ayla Oasis and the RSCN, which has flourished over the past decade. 

This cooperation led to the creation of the "Ayla Feather Trail," a bird-watching trail that has become an integral part of Jordan’s ecotourism offerings. 

It serves as a successful example of cooperation between Ayla Oasis and national institutions dedicated to sustainability and conservation, he added.

Director of the Aqaba Bird Observatory Firas Rahahleh underscored the significance of the "Ayla Feather Trail," the first bird-watching trail developed within a private project in Jordan. 

"The trail highlights the environmental value of the project while providing visitors with a unique and enriching experience," Rahahleh said.

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan and Alhalat Developing co. on Sunday signed an agreement to enhance community awareness on water harvesting and conservation.

The agreement falls under the “Building Resilience to Climate Change in Jordan through Improved Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector” (BRCCJ) project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented in Madaba, Karak, Tafileh and Maan governorates. 

The project aims to promote rainwater harvesting from rooftops of selected government buildings and raise awareness about sustainable water management and climate change.

Through this partnership, FAO in Jordan and Alhalat will collaborate on training and awareness raising programmes for school students and public sector employees. The programmes will focus on changing behaviours towards water conservation and promoting water harvesting as a critical necessity in Jordan.

During the signing ceremony, FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “This agreement represents a significant step in our efforts under the BRCCJ project to build resilience to climate change in Jordan by improving water use efficiency in the agricultural sector." 

Assaf added that the agreement directly supports the project’s first component, which focuses on developing climate-resilient water systems to strengthen water security.

He stressed that “water scarcity is a critical challenge facing Jordan, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. This project, aligned with Jordan’s Green Growth Plan and national water strategies, aims to promote sustainable, climate-adaptive development through more efficient water use, knowledge transfer and the adoption of drought-resilient practices.”

Assaf added that the initial phase of the awareness program in Madaba is expected to play a vital role in educating a new generation about the importance of water conservation. 

He noted that the programme will highlight water challenges, household water-saving technologies, the importance of installing such systems in buildings and homes, and effective water harvesting techniques, pointing out that training will target school students and public sector employees in health centres and other public buildings.

General Manager of Alhalat Developing co. Mamoun Al Baqour expressed his gratitude to FAO for the opportunity and affirmed the company's commitment to contributing to water sustainability in Jordan.

He highlighted dedication to implementing targeted awareness programmes for public sector employees and school students on the importance of preserving water resources.

“We look forward to successfully implementing the project and achieving a positive and sustainable impact on the local community as part of national and international efforts to address water scarcity challenges and enhance community resilience to climate change,” Al Baqour added.

 The BRCCJ project, funded by the GCF, is implemented by FAO in collaboration with the ministries of water and irrigation, agriculture, and environment, as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project, which aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision, aims to enhance sustainable, climate-resilient development in Jordan. It specifically seeks to increase the capacity of water management systems and the agricultural community to adapt to climate change.

With a budget of $33.25 million, the project focuses on four governorates in the Dead Sea Basin of Karak, Madaba, Tafileh and Maan, which are areas particularly vulnerable to climate change and water stress.

AMMAN — Secretary General of the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Hisham Haisa and World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Ousmane Dione on Sunday discussed the importance of financing new water projects in the Kingdom.

During a tour at Mujib Dam, Haisa briefed Dione on the reality of Jordan's dams and their role in enhancing national water security, addressing the increasing water challenges facing the Kingdom and exploring future opportunities for developing water resources, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Haisa presented plans to finance Nakheel and Telal Dhahab dams as "vital" projects, aimed at boosting the Kingdom's dam storage capacity and improving management of water resources.

Haisa also stressed the importance of establishing new water projects to address the increasing challenges amid scarcity, underscoring their role in supporting sustainable development and growth of local communities.

He also reviewed JVA's national strategy and efforts to develop the sector and improve resources efficiency by expanding water harvesting initiatives.

Dione praised efforts made to enable the Kingdom's water sector to face challenges, expressing the World Bank's "remarkable" interest in the proposed water projects.

Also on Sunday, Director General of the National Aid Fund (NAF) Khitam Shneikat and Dione reviewed the fund's current social assistance programmes provided to the Kingdom's target groups.

During a meeting, Shneikat briefed Dione on NAF's services in providing support and assistance to the Kingdom's impoverished and needy families, primarily the Unified Cash Support Programme, Petra reported.

Shneikat also referred to these programmes' role in creating "a living standard" for underprivileged households to secure their livelihood requirements.

The director general also stressed the importance of the bank's technical and technological role in developing the NAF's work process.

The computer infrastructure, provided in cooperation and partnership with the World Bank and partner international organisations, has a role in implementing the NAF's programmes, according to the "best" international standards in the social protection field, she pointed out.

Shneikat also stressed that NAF pays "due" attention to economic empowerment to create a "new" culture that suits the economic conditions facing poor families.

She said that NAF's training and employment areas are the "main" priorities in the quality of its strategic goals.

Dione praised efforts made to raise the impoverished households' living standards, expressing the World Bank's interest in increasing the cooperation level.