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AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Momani said that the government is working on "institutionalizing" the field visits and turning them into a hands-on approach to address problems and achieve the envisioned economic growth.

Momani explained that the government has created "special units" at the Prime Ministry tasked with planning field visits and following up on their outcomes, especially those carried out by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.

The minister also said that, through field visits, the government seeks to send a message that "what is happening in the region will not be a reason for delaying the work on local issues to realize the sought-after economic growth."

Chairing part of a Cabinet session on Tuesday, His Majesty King Abdullah is the duty of every official to serve citizens, stressing the need to continue following up on their needs in the field. 

His Majesty said regional developments will not delay the implementation of political, economic and administrative modernisation programmes, noting that public administration development is the cornerstone of the modernisation process.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan reiterated the government's commitment to implementing the Royal directives to enable citizens to participate in defining development priorities at the local level and aligning them with the Economic Modernisation Vision as stated in the Letter of Designation, according to the statement. 

At a Lower House session, Hassan reiterated the government's commitment to prioritising urgent needs through ongoing field visits and addressing concerns raised by deputies during recent discussions.

In a recent report, the Prime Ministry said that the prime minister has visited a total of 37 locations across the country between September 25 and December 9 of 2024.

Out of these field visits, the report said that a total of 71 procedures for development and improvement have been taken covering healthcare, education, agriculture, industry, youth, tourism, environment and social care sectors.

The report said that 26 procedures have been finalized while work is still underway on another 45 improvement procedures, the report said. 

AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Wednesday said that the ministry aims to support investment opportunities and establish partnerships with investors to develop agricultural industries based on high-value crops.  

He stressed that through the Economic Modernisation VIsion, the National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture, and the investment pillar in the sector, the ministry seeks to promote investment opportunities in agricultural industry development, which will benefit rural communities, create job opportunities for youth and introduce new crops, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

This came during his meeting with Algerian investor Chakib Boublenza, specialising in crop farming and processing, in the presence of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf. 

Talks during the meeting discussed enhancing investment opportunities and developing the carob sector within the ministry through the FAO-funded Value Chain Development Project in Jordan.  

The meeting also went over means to boost cooperation with the private sector to support the project, including carob cultivation, production and processing, as a promising opportunity for this product.

AMMAN — Al Hussein Fund for Excellence (HFE) on Wednesday launched the "Intaliq Award" (Go ahead in English) for graduate projects, which aims to inspire Jordanian youth to develop innovative solutions to the challenges the Kingdom may face in the coming years. 

Emphasising the importance of youth in shaping Jordan's future, Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan and HFE Chairman Adel Sharkas said the award aims to encourage students to address local challenges while honing their skills and turning their ideas into impactful start-ups that can contribute to the Kingdom's economic growth. 

He added that the award aims to strengthen the link between academia and the labour market by encouraging innovation that can boost the national economy, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The award, which focuses on key sectors such as energy and water technology, information technology, healthcare, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, agriculture and food security, invites university students to submit projects that address these areas. 

Universities will carry out an initial assessment of the projects to ensure they meet the award criteria, with the top 10 projects from each institution being nominated for further consideration. 

The shortlisted projects will be showcased at a national exhibition where a panel of judges will select winners.

The HFE, a key initiative of the Jordanian banking sector, is dedicated to promoting creativity and excellence in various fields, including culture, science and business.

AMMAN — Foreign Ministry Secretary-General for Diplomatic and Expatriates Affairs Majid Qatarneh on Wednesday received a copy of the credentials of Japan's newly appointed ambassador to Jordan Hideki Asari, as accredited and resident ambassador to the Kingdom, according to a ministry statement.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said it is the duty of every official to serve citizens, stressing the need to continue following up on their needs in the field. 

During a visit to the Prime Ministry and chairing part of a Cabinet meeting, His Majesty said the government's executive programme must be clear and subject to continuous evaluation, according to a Royal Court statement.  

The King added that the next phase requires the government to step up its work and achievements, so that citizens can benefit from its efforts.

His Majesty said regional developments will not delay the implementation of political, economic and administrative modernisation programmes, noting that public administration development is the cornerstone of the modernisation process.

The King added that the Economic Modernisation Vision is a roadmap for growth and a better life for Jordanians, which requires focusing on investment opportunities and attracting investors to boost the economy and create job opportunities, the statement said. 

His Majesty urged the government to focus on the technology sector due to its role as a key economic driver and its contribution to improving the quality of services provided to citizens.

The King concluded by reaffirming that Jordan will remain an oasis of stability, relying on the strength and efficiency of its institutions.

For his part, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan reiterated the government's commitment to implementing the Royal directives to enable citizens to participate in defining development priorities at the local level and aligning them with the Economic Modernisation Vision as stated in the Letter of Designation, according to the statement. 

Prime Minister Hassan said the government's approach extends over three levels: The strategic national level by moving forward with the implementation of the economic and administrative modernisation visions within clear timelines; and the local development level by interacting with citizens and finding quick solutions to some of the challenges they face, while also building a development vision for each governorate in partnership with elected councils and bodies.

The third level is related to political and local engagement through political modernisation and its upcoming steps, namely developing local administration legislation by launching a national dialogue in this regard to activate the role of municipalities and local councils in development.

The prime minister presented the government's achievements during its first 100 days in office in the fields of investment and anchor projects, for which agreements worth more than $1.1 billion have been signed, namely the gas port, the container port, and the potash bromine plant projects. 

Hassan noted that the government is focusing this year on the implementation of strategic projects such as the National Water Conveyance Project, as well as the railway project connecting the port of Aqaba to the mining areas of Shidiyeh and Ghor Al Safi, and working on linking this project with the land port in Maan. 

He highlighted the structural reform decisions that have been taken, such as customs and tax settlements for issues that had been pending for years and a radical restructuring of the vehicular sector, including unlicensed vehicles, the statement said. 

Turning to public sector modernisation, the prime minister pointed to the public sector human resources by-law, which entails enhancing employees’ performance and building their capacities, in addition to the establishment and expansion of comprehensive government service centres, noting that 80 per cent of government services will be automated this year.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh accompanied His Majesty on the visit.

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday condemned the publication of maps by official Israeli social media accounts that falsely depict "historic Israel," including areas within Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The maps were shared alongside "inflammatory" remarks from Israel's far-right finance minister, who advocated for the annexation of the West Bank and the establishment of settlements in Gaza, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan’s "unequivocal" rejection of such actions, describing them as a blatant attempt to undermine Palestinians' legitimate rights to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“These inflammatory actions and baseless claims, promoted by extremists within the Israeli government, perpetuate violence and instability,” Qudah said.

“These claims constitute a "flagrant" violation of international law and norms, necessitating a strong international response to condemn and counter their repercussions for regional security and stability.”

Qudah urged Israel to immediately cease its "provocative" actions and inflammatory rhetoric, warning that such behaviour exacerbates tensions and threatens international peace.

AMMAN — For the second consecutive day, the Lower House continued deliberating over the draft general budget law for fiscal year 2025 during a session held on Tuesday, chaired by Speaker Ahmed Safadi.

The session, partially chaired by First Deputy Speaker Mustafa Khasawneh, was attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and other government officials, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

On December 9, the Chamber referred the draft law to the Finance Committee, which has since reviewed it in coordination with various ministries, government entities, and institutions.

The MPs described the general budget as a roadmap for achieving national economic stability and meeting citizens' aspirations.

They also stressed the need for the budget to serve as a tool for increasing investment and fostering partnerships with the private sector to attract and expand investments and reduce unemployment.

The lawmakers also expressed appreciation for the government's field performance and key economic decisions, especially those aimed at easing the burden on citizens, such as vehicle licensing and registration exemptions for electric vehicles, as well as penalties.

During the deliberations, the MPs called for a reduction in the tax burden on middle- and low-income earners, alongside an accelerated push for the implementation of the national carrier project. 

They also underscored the importance of fully utilising Jordan’s natural resources and eliminating obstacles for both local and foreign investors.

The deputies also called for the development of a comprehensive long-term national plan to reduce debt and deficits. 

The MPs also proposed the introduction of a progressive income tax bylaw, alongside a gradual shift away from sales taxes.

The lawmakers also urged measures to bolster medical tourism, including facilitating visa issuance and balancing security requirements with investment opportunities. 

They also called for amendments to the budget law to enable the Lower House to add items to the budget, rather than solely reducing expenditures. 

The MPs also requested the results of the upcoming population census from the Department of Statistics and the preparation of neutral, scientific studies to offer practical solutions for addressing household income and reducing poverty.

The deputies also called for replacing foreign labour with Jordanian workers to conserve foreign currency reserves and create job opportunities. 

They also highlighted the importance of extending grants and loans for small projects across all governorates, improving health services, and supporting the agricultural and livestock sectors through soft loans for farmers, as well as the promotion of modern irrigation and protected agriculture systems.

AMMAN — The Southern Military Zone on Tuesday thwarted a drug smuggling attempt involving a drone along its western frontier within its area of responsibility.

The Border Guards, in cooperation with military security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department, applied the rules of engagement after detecting and tracking the drone, which was dealt with and brought down inside Jordanian territory, according to a military source from the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF).

An army statement stressed that JAF remains committed to utilising its various capabilities and resources to prevent all forms of infiltration and smuggling, ensuring the security and stability of the Kingdom.

AMMAN — Plans for establishing an inland port in the King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area have advanced significantly, with the overseeing committee granting approval after updated studies were completed by relevant authorities.

Director General of the Mafraq Development Corporation Liza Dughmi said on Tuesday that the project’s scope has been expanded to include supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

“The inland port will be promoted as a major investment opportunity in the coming period, targeting both local and international investors,” Dughmi said.

Strategically located near the Syrian border, the King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area is poised to become a logistics hub, offering shipping, storage, and other critical services needed for Syria’s rebuilding process, Mamlaka TV reported.

The area’s established industrial base further strengthens its potential as a key driver of economic growth in the region.

AMMAN — The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and Yale University’s Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering on Tuesday signed a Statement of Cooperation (SOC) to boost collaboration in green chemistry.

Vice President of RSS Rafat Assi and Paul Anastas, the centre's director and founder of green chemistry, signed the SOC, according to a RSS statement. 

The statement focuses on joint projects in green chemistry and environmental sustainability, including chemical safety, the use of recycled raw materials in chemical processes, and the promotion of biodegradable products. 

It also facilitates researcher exchanges between the two institutions, the statement said.

The SOC includes spreading green chemistry principles and applications across the region through conferences, meetings, and collaborative projects.

The signing was part of a scientific event organised by RSS on green chemistry and its role in industrial development. 

The event featured a seminar about green chemistry principles delivered by Paul Anastas and attended by former ministers, university presidents, and specialists in chemistry and chemical industries.

This event is part of the Green Chemistry Project, implemented by RSS in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Yale University, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with support from the Global Environment Facility. 

The project aims to promote green transition in Jordan's industrial sector by supporting green chemistry entrepreneurship and replacing hazardous chemicals with safer and sustainable alternatives to boost the value of the Jordanian industry.  

These efforts align with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision and aim to enhance the competitiveness of the Jordanian industry.