Local

AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Thursday inspected several projects in Amman being implemented under Royal directives.

In Juwaideh, Issawi, who also heads the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal Initiatives, visited the elderly retirement home, where renovation and maintenance work is underway as part of Royal initiatives. 

During the visit, he toured the facility, reviewed completed work, and discussed plans to equip the home with essential items to reopen and welcome residents soon, according to a Royal Court statement.

In Al Muwaqqar, Issawi inspected progress on a public park under construction following His Majesty King Abdullah's meeting with tribal leaders from the central Badia region. 

The project, part of the "Safe Parks" initiative, is being developed in partnership with the Zaha Cultural Centre to provide a recreational space for the local community.

The park, which is 60 per cent complete and expected to be finalised within two months, will include green spaces, seating areas and safe playgrounds with rubber and sand surfaces for children of all ages. It will also include a walking track to promote a healthy lifestyle.

In Al Mustainada, Issawi visited the Zaha Cultural Centre, where he took a first-hand look at the centre's diverse educational, training and recreational programmes and its role in serving the local community.

Inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Rania in early 2018, the Zaha Cultural Centre offers multipurpose halls, training rooms, and activity spaces for children. 

Its facilities include a five-a-side football pitch, playgrounds, and a public park. The centre is also home to an educational greenhouse project aimed at raising awareness about sustainable urban agriculture and promoting rooftop gardening.

Issawi stressed the importance of maintaining high-quality services for residents adding that the Royal Initiative projects, directed by His Majesty, prioritise meeting citizens' needs and improving services in various sectors.

These projects aim to promote development, improve the quality of life and reflect the unique priorities of each region, according to Issawi.

He added that the Royal Initiatives, implemented in partnership with government agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector, complement government programmes, as they are designed to meet the needs of various groups, especially youth, women and children.

AMMAN — The Irbid Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has dispatched a new shipment of aid to the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) for the Gaza Strip, in support of the "Help Gaza" campaign.

ICC President Mohammad Shouha on Thursday said that the shipment included food supplies and clothing, reflecting the solidarity of the commercial sector in Irbid with the Palestinian people amid the difficult conditions they are facing in Gaza, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Shouha noted that the "Help Gaza" campaign is part of the humanitarian role carried out by the ICC, which remains committed to supporting Gaza and providing aid to alleviate the suffering of its people. 

He pointed out that this initiative aligns with the Royal efforts to support and defend the Palestinian cause.

Shouha also stressed that the ICC will continue to collect donations from various sectors and work in coordination with official bodies and the JHCO to ensure that the aid reaches those in need in the besieged Strip.

AMMAN — The Social Security Corporation (SSC) on Thursday announced that 33,756 individuals opted for voluntary social security subscriptions in 2024, raising the total number of active voluntary subscribers to 101,579 by the end of December.

In a statement, the SSC said that for 2025, voluntary subscribers can apply an annual wage increase rate of up to 10 per cent for wages subject to social security deductions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Subscribers may adjust this rate between January 1 and February 15, the corporation noted.

Optional subscription is accessible via the insured individual's account on the corporation's website, the "Jordanian Social Security" smartphone application, or the government’s Sanad application. 

Eligibility criteria require first-time subscribers to be at least 16 years old and not exceed 55 years for females or 60 years for males. 

Those above the age threshold with previous subscriptions that are not yet settled are also eligible to join.

The SSC encouraged citizens who are not mandatorily covered, including expatriates working abroad and Jordanian housewives, to subscribe voluntarily for the protection, security and stability it provides to them and their families.

The corporation also stressed that optional subscriptions have enabled many with discontinued or previous subscription periods due to employment opportunities abroad or other reasons to re-subscribe and complete the required periods for retirement entitlements. 

Voluntary subscriptions also offer coverage in cases of disability or natural death.

AMMAN – The Jordan Media Commission (JMC) and Beyond Universe XR Solutions, a leading company specialising in immersive technologies, on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing awareness of emerging technologies in the Metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI).

The MoU, signed by JMC Director General Bashir Momani and Beyond Universe CEO Thaer Fararjah, aims to develop media initiatives that leverage modern technologies to enhance digital media, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

It also includes organising training workshops for the public and private sectors, as well as the local community, to prepare national workers for the technologies of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

Momani stressed that the JMC is committed to supporting Jordan's media sector and enhancing the "efficiency" of its resources, adding that the agreement underscores the commission's dedication to fostering a media environment that aligns with technological advancements.

Fararjah highlighted that the partnership would bolster innovation in AI within Jordanian media, commending the JMC's "vital" role in supporting the Kingdom's media sector.

Under the memo, the two sides cooperate in developing digital platforms that integrate media and modern technologies, organise awareness campaigns and conduct studies on AI applications in the Kingdom's media industry.

AMMAN – Kuwait on Thursday reiterated its strong commitment to supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Hamad Mari stressing his country's ongoing efforts to help the agency meet its financial responsibilities and ensure the continuation of its vital services to Palestine refugees.

The ambassador made the statement as he officially handed over Kuwait's annual financial contribution to Director of External Relations and Communications at UNRWA Tamara Rifai, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Mari stressed that Kuwait remains committed to fulfilling its financial obligations to UNRWA and recognises the agency's essential role in assisting Palestine refugees, despite the challenges it faces.

The diplomat also reiterated Kuwait's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

For her part, Rifai expressed gratitude for Kuwait's continued generosity, stressing that this contribution is instrumental in enabling UNRWA to provide vital services to Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan and other host countries. 

She also highlighted the importance of UNRWA's services, including its network of schools, health centres and other vital programmes.

-90 of 129 deputies present vote in favour of law

-Finance minister says economic indicators show growth despite wars, regional turbulence 

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday endorsed the draft state budget law for the fiscal year 2025. 

During a session chaired by Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Cabinet members, 90 out of out of the 129 lawmakers present voted in favour of the bill, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Replying to MPs' remarks on the draft law, Finance Minister Abdulhakim Shibli said that economic indicators show a growth and improvement in the national economy despite wars and difficult conditions in the Arab world.

Shibli said that the government had not raised taxes on any basic commodities or the income tax, noting that the tax burden in the Kingdom is within the rate of countries with similar economic conditions.

Upon referring the bill to the Lower House in late December, Shibli said that the economy is projected to grow at a real GDP rate of 2.5 per cent in 2025, increasing to 3 per cent in 2026 and 2027. Nominal GDP is expected to grow by 4.9 per cent in 2025 and 5.6 per cent in 2026 and 2027.

At the time, Shibli attributed the anticipated growth to improved performance in vital sectors such as construction, tourism and industry, as well as increased export growth. 

Additional drivers include the positive effects of lower interest rates, which will expand local credit and stimulate investment, and the implementation of major projects such as the National Carrier Project, railway infrastructure and the construction of new hospitals and schools, the minister said.

Inflation rates are expected to remain moderate, with a projected 2.2 per cent in 2025, 2.5 per cent in 2026, and a decline to 2.3 per cent in 2027. 

The current account deficit in the balance of payments, as a percentage of GDP, is projected to reach approximately 4.6 per cent in 2025, decreasing to 4.1 per cent in 2026 and 3.8 per cent in 2027.

The draft budget law estimates total public expenditures at JD12.511 billion, including JD11.042 billion in current expenditures and JD1.469 billion in capital expenditures, representing a 16.5 per cent increase from 2024. 

It also estimates total public revenues at JD10.233 billion, including JD9.498 billion in domestic revenues and JD734 million in foreign grants.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held talks on Wednesday with senior European Union officials on strengthening Jordan-EU relations.

Discussions focused on finalizing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that will open broader horizons for economic, investment, trade, defence, and security cooperation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.   

The talks also went over regional developments, particularly efforts to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe it has exacerbated.  

Safadi and EU officials also discussed the situation in Syria.

Safadi met with European Council President Antonio Costa, conveying greetings from His Majesty King Abdullah and appreciation for the strong partnership between Jordan and the EU. 

Costa commended King Abdullah’s leadership in resolving regional crises and achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region, the statement said. 

The meeting explored ways to enhance cooperation between Jordan and the EU, including the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.  

Safadi also met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in a meeting that reviewed mechanisms to deepen Jordan-EU cooperation on regional challenges and shared concerns.  

Both Safadi and Kallas reaffirmed the Jordanian-European partnership and the shared commitment to strengthening it, emphasizing the importance of finalizing discussions to sign the strategic partnership agreement.  

The two officials also discussed efforts to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and coordinate humanitarian aid delivery to the Strip. 

They also exchanged views on the developments in Syria, with Safadi briefing Kallas on the outcomes of his discussions with Syria’s new leadership.  

Safadi, along with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, met with European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič.  

Safadi and Toukan also held discussions with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.  

Safadi, joined by Toukan, met with Chair of EU Political and Security Committee Delphine Pronk and committee members representing EU member states and institutions.  

During the meeting, Safadi stressed the need to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza, warning of its catastrophic consequences for regional and global security. 

He called for international pressure on Israel to cease using starvation as a weapon and to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.  

Safadi also highlighted the importance of continued support from the EU and the international community for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), emphasizing its vital role in providing services to refugees and assisting people in Gaza in coping with the humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli aggression.  

He further cautioned against illegal Israeli measures in the West Bank, which undermine all prospects for a just and comprehensive peace, emphasizing that achieving peace requires fulfilling the Palestinian people's right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution.  

Safadi reiterated Jordan’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people, emphasizing the need for a Syrian-led process that ensures Syria’s security, stability, unity, and sovereignty while preserving the rights of all its components.  

He stressed the importance of providing humanitarian support to Syria during this transitional phase and creating conditions for the voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees.