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AMMAN — A group of Jordanian food companies is preparing to take part in SIAL Canada, one of North America's premier food industry exhibitions, set to kick off Wednesday in Toronto.

The Kingdom’s participation, organised by the Jordan Exporters Association (JEA), reflects ongoing efforts to expand the reach of Jordanian-made goods in the Canadian market. 

SIAL Canada is known for attracting global attention and serves as a vital platform for networking and business development, the JEA said in a statement to The Jordan Times.

Ahmad Al Khudari, Chairman of the Association, said the Jordanian pavilion, spanning 126 square meters, will showcase a wide array of high-quality local products. He noted that Jordan has maintained a consistent presence at the event since 2012, citing its value in opening doors to North American markets.

Beyond promotion, the exhibition also offers Jordanian companies access to cutting-edge industry trends, innovations, and technologies, Al Khudari added. These insights, he stressed, are key to enhancing the competitiveness of Jordan's food sector internationally.

Canada, he said, remains a strategic export destination, particularly under the Jordan-Canada Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2012. The agreement, the first of its kind between Canada and an Arab country, allows Jordanian products to enter the Canadian market tariff-free, offering a significant competitive advantage.

Haleem Abu Rahmeh, JEA Director General, echoed the sentiment, calling Canada a vital market. While initial efforts were modest, he said, persistent marketing and a focus on quality have positioned Jordanian products as strong contenders. “Today, they are recognized for their excellence and competitive pricing,” Abu Rahmeh said, adding that interest in the Jordanian pavilion continues to grow each year.

He credited the growing popularity of Jordanian food products among Canadian importers and consumers to consistent quality and compliance with international standards. 

Abu Rahmeh also reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to promoting other high-potential sectors, including cosmetics, plastics, and agriculture.

With Canada’s multicultural landscape and rising demand for Middle Eastern cuisine, Abu Rahmeh described the market as “highly receptive” and stressed the importance of long-term strategies to secure Jordan’s foothold.

He concluded by praising the Canadian Trade Centre for its role in strengthening bilateral trade ties and fostering cooperation between Jordanian and Canadian businesses.

AMMAN — Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan, and UNRWA Director of Affairs Olaf Becker discussed on Sunday several issues related to the agency’s operations, most notably its current financial crisis and the resulting challenges.

The two officials discussed the infrastructure projects being implemented by UNRWA in the refugee camps, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 They emphasised the importance of strengthening coordination and joint planning to ensure the efficient implementation of the projects, which has a direct impact on improving the living conditions of refugees.

The meeting was attended by UNRWA Deputy Directors Kunal Dhar and Butros Janho.

Khirfan and Becker also discussed the issue of sanitation in the camps, particularly in Baqaa regugee Camp, and stressed the need for cooperation among all relevant parties to address these challenges and to work towards sustainable and effective solutions.

The two officials affirmed the strong cooperation between the DPA and UNRWA, and their commitment to continuing joint coordination in following up on priority issues to ensure continuing delivery of essential services to Palestinian refugees. 

AMMAN – The global credit rating agency, Moody's, has reaffirmed that Jordan's economy remains resilient despite regional geopolitical tensions, high debt levels, and unemployment pressures.

In its latest review, Moody's maintained Jordan's long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to Ba, citing strong institutional frameworks and significant international financial support, the government-owned Al Mamlakah TV reported.

The agency also noted that Jordan benefits from substantial domestic savings and its access to global markets, contributing to its financial stability.

Looking ahead, Moody's forecast that Jordan’s economic growth will continue at a moderate pace, reaching approximately 2.5 per cent in 2025, with a gradual increase to 3 per cent in 2026 and 2027.

The sovereign credit rating agency said that the growth is expected to be driven by the tourism sector and regional trade, particularly with Lebanon and Syria, which will support local production. Key infrastructure projects, including a major water desalination initiative in Aqaba, are also expected to contribute to the economic expansion.

In terms of fiscal performance, Moody's observed an expected improvement in the government’s fiscal performance, with the budget deficit narrowing to about 2 per cent of GDP in 2025, supported by fiscal reforms and ongoing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.

However, the agency cautioned that new tariffs imposed by the United States could negatively impact Jordanian exports, particularly in the apparel and textile sectors, which represent 5-6 per cent of the country’s GDP.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi on Saturday conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Abdullah to Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq Masrour Barzani, during an official visit to Erbil.

Barzani praised the “strong” relations between Jordan and Iraq and Jordan's role in supporting the security and stability of Iraq, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

He stressed the importance of boosting cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Jordan to advance common interests.

Safadi stressed the need to enhance Jordanian-Iraqi relations and remove obstacles to economic cooperation, highlighting the “longstanding” ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to Arab issues, especially the Palestinian cause.

Safadi met on Thursday with his Iraqi counterpart Mahmoud Mashhadani, with talks highlighting the “deep-rooted” ties between Jordan and Iraq and the need to reject all voices that seek to sow discord between the two nations.

During the meeting with Mashhadani, at the headquarters of the Iraqi Parliament in Baghdad, both speakers affirmed the longstanding Jordanian-Iraqi relations, describing them as firmly based on common interests and mutual respect that serve the welfare of both peoples.

Safadi underlined Jordan's recognition of Iraq's pivotal role in ensuring regional security and stability, stressing the importance of continued coordination and cooperation to serve the common interests of the two nations and other Arab countries.

Also on Thursday, Safadi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani stressed the urgent need for unified international action to stop the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting at the Iraqi Prime Ministry headquarters, both sides underscored the importance of consolidating Jordanian-Iraqi relations and strengthening cooperation across all sectors, particularly in parliamentary and economic spheres, to advance shared interests.

Safadi also highlighted Jordan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Iraq, emphasising the value of joint efforts in addressing regional developments and promoting mutual prosperity.

AMMAN — Jordan and the World Bank on Friday signed three new project agreements worth $850 million on the sidelines of the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

The agreements aim to support private sector-led economic growth, boost the social protection system, and expand opportunities for innovation.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Ousmane Dione, and World Bank Regional Director for the Middle East Department Jean-Christophe Carret.

Both sides reiterated the “deep” partnership between Jordan and the World Bank, stressing their commitment to achieving tangible and inclusive results.

The three projects signed mark a “pivotal milestone” in Jordan’s reform agenda as they seek to expand social protection coverage, improve the delivery of digital services, support start-ups, enhance early-stage financing, stimulate private sector-driven growth, and contribute to job creation.

Earlier, on April 8, the World Bank Group announced $1.1 billion in new financing to support Jordan’s efforts to achieve the objectives of its Economic Modernisation Vision and build greater resilience on social and economic fronts in the face of ongoing shocks and crises.

The investments include initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ living conditions by advancing reforms that promote inclusive growth and job creation, supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, expanding social assistance programmes, and fostering a more sustainable future in the energy sector to stimulate economic activity across the country.

The Development Policy Financing for Growth and Competitiveness Programme, valued at $400 million, will support the government's initiatives to unlock investment opportunities, boost exports, and create more economic prospects, particularly for youth and women.

 The second phase of the Jordanian Innovation Start-ups Fund (ISSF 2.0), worth $50 million, will focus on scaling up early-stage direct investments and encouraging private investment in high-growth start-ups within key sectors.

Meanwhile, the Resilient and Sustainable Social Protection Programme, with $400 million in funding, aims to boost Jordan’s capacity to respond to shocks while improving the support provided to the most vulnerable groups in society.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications and the government spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Saturday said that supporting Palestine should not come at the expense of Jordan’s national stability. 

Speaking at a seminar commemorating the 105th anniversary of the death of Kayed Mufleh Obeidat, Momani stressed that His Majesty King Abdullah’s positions in defending the rights of the Palestinian people are unwavering, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He noted that the King continues to support the Palestinian steadfastness in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza through all available political, diplomatic, and humanitarian means.

Momani stressed that Jordan’s voice, under its wise Hashemite leadership, resonates as a free and genuine Arab voice that does not compromise on rights or relinquish national and pan-Arab principles. 

He underscored that Jordan’s position on the Palestinian cause is marked by clarity and consistency, cantered on defending the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He further said that the Kingdom’s support for Palestine stems from a “profound” sense of religious, moral, and humanitarian duty, reiterating that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian territories is a national interest for Jordan.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a May 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling sentencing a drug dealer to six years in prison after convicting him of selling illegal narcotics to an undercover agent in Muwaqar area in December 2022.

The court declared the defendant guilty of possessing a large quantity of illegal narcotics on December 3.

The SSC handed the defendant a punishment of six years in prison and ordered him to pay JD6,000 in fines.

Court documents said that the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of a large quantity of illegal narcotics and sent one of its agents to pose as a buyer.

“The AND agent offered the defendant JD4,700 in return for two kilogrammes of Hashish and 4,000 Captagon pills,” court documents said.

When the two met, court papers stated, law-enforcement officers immediately apprehended the defendant.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court “did not provide solid evidence to implicate his client of illicit drug trafficking”.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentences against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs to sell them in the local market,” the higher court said.

Therefore, the higher court maintained that the defendant deserves the punishment he received.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi, Mohammad Khashashneh and Nayef Samarat.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry has welcomed the appointment of Hussein Al Sheikh as vice president of the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as a major step in the “reform and modernisation” endeavor the Palestinian presidency is undertaking.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry’s spokesperson Sufian Qudah voiced the Kingdom’s support to the efforts the Palestinian presidency is exerting to enhance the political work in realising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, chiefly of which is the establishment of an independent state on the pre 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed a close aide as the first ever vice president of the PLO on Saturday, according to a member of the organisation's executive committee.

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hussein Al Sheikh as a deputy [vice president] of the PLO leadership," Wasel Abu Yousef said in a statement carried by AFP, in a move that positions Sheikh as a potential successor to veteran leader Abbas.

"Abbas, 89, created the vice presidency position during a convention held in Ramallah this week

It follows years of international pressure to reform the PLO and comes as Arab and Western powers envision an expanded role for Abbas’s Palestinian Authority (PA) in the postwar governance of the Gaza Strip.

Founded in 1964, the PLO is empowered to""negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA is responsible for governance in parts of the Palestinian territories.

The PLO is an umbrella organisation comprising   several   Palestinian factions, but not Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are currently at war with Israeli forces in Gaza.

Sheikh, 64, is a veteran leader of Abbas’s Fatah movement, which dominates the PA, and is

considered close to the""president.

Analyst Aref Jaffal said the new role was created to pave the way for someone to take the reins from Abbas, “as there are many things the Palestinian situation requires”.

“The Palestinian political system is already miserable, so I believe that all these arrangements are a prelude to creating a successor to Abbas,” Jaffal, the director of the Al Marsad Election Monitoring

Centre, told AFP."