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AMMAN — A Jordanian business delegation on Sunday began a trip to Africa with the aim of searching for new markets for national exports, following the negative impact they suffered from regional unstable conditions.

The delegation, headed by State Minister for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, arrived in Tanzania in a tour that will also include Kenya and Ethiopia.

The delegates are scheduled to attend a business forum on Monday, which is expected to attract representatives from the Tanzanian public and private sectors.

Headed by Shehadeh, the Jordan Investment Commission will take part in the forum that will see the participation of some 30 industrial and service companies, seeking to reach new export markets and develop cooperation with African businesspeople, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister said that targeting African markets comes in line with the third pillar of a recent strategy by the commission, which aims at boosting national exports and opening new markets through the establishment of strategic relations with untraditional markets.

President of the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) Adnan Abul Ragheb said that the Jordanian-Tanzanian business forum will witness the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the chamber and the Tanzanian chambers of industry, commerce and agriculture on one part, and the union of East Africa of industry, commerce and agriculture, on the other part.

A recent JCI study on aspects of the Kingdom’s cooperation with Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia showed that around 60 local products have competitive values to penetrate these countries’ economically growing markets.

Jordanian exports to Tanzania in 2016 valued more than $2 million, compared to $1 million in 2015, while Jordanian imports from Tanzania dropped to $879,000 in 2016 from $3 million in 2015.

AMMAN — The first event to discuss the government’s plan to build a new city on the outskirts of Amman reflected the public’s thirst for details on the planned metropolitan area.

Who will run the new city, how will the government cater for its water needs in light of an existing water shortage, what is the scale of investments that will be channelled into the new city, how much will it contribute to the GDP and what role will the local private sector have in its construction journey were some of the many questions the event’s attendees raised.

The meeting, which was organised by EDAMA to discuss the new city as a business opportunity for public engagement, reflected the need of the public to know more details on the planned new city.

At a panel discussion, Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh reiterated the government’s plan to set up an entity dedicated to managing and running the new city, highlighting that neither the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) nor any other governorate will be linked to the city in terms of urban planning or regulation.

After telling participants that the government should announce further details on the mega-scheme once its studies and blueprints are finalised, Shawarbeh addressed some of the participants’ concerns stressing that the new city will not overshadow Amman.

“No one in the Jordanian state will allow for the capital to be neglected; building a new city doesn’t mean that Amman will become a victim… implementation of Amman’s strategic projects in transportation, its legislations and the implementation of its master plan will not stop,” the mayor stressed.

Figures show that the future of Amman will be “very difficult” in terms of population growth, Shawarbeh said, highlighting that the new city’s goal is also to take off some of the pressure placed on the capital.

Shawarbeh outlined the main challenges facing Amman including traffic congestion which he described as “Ammanites’ daily suffering”, the unnatural population growth in the capital, the state of its environment related to water scarcity, the air quality in light of the huge number of vehicles on Amman’s streets and the need for increasing green spaces and shifting to green buildings.

Urban planning expert and architect, Murad Kalaldeh, who was part of the panel moderated by Al Rai newspaper’s business editor, Isam Qadamani, highlighted that establishing a new city close to Amman and Zarqa seeks to create growth poles that induce economic development.

“I have visited the location of the planned new city: it is good and suitable for a project of such a scale,” Kalaldeh said.

On the other hand, the expert voiced concern on whether the project will actually see the light, noting that, despite being a good idea, it is proposed on a very large scale.

The government announced the national project to establish a new city early last month, saying that it aims at accommodating part of the accelerating urban expansion of Amman and Zarqa, among other cities, and providing convenient alternatives to citizens in terms of quality of residences, as well as alleviating pressure and overcrowding in major cities.

Under the scheme, a new, smart, sustainable city will be built, equipped with all infrastructure services and will adopt a long-term urban planning system. Developers from the private sector will rehabilitate the location and lay the infrastructure under a build-operate-transfer formula.

The project will be implemented in five phases, with the area of the first phase of the project being estimated at 39 square kilometres, representing some 10 per cent of the scheme’s total area.

The first stage is expected to be completed by 2030, while the whole project is planned to conclude in 2050.

The new city will be 30 kilometres away from Amman, 30km from Zarqa and 33km from the Queen Alia International Airport. It will also be located on the international roads linking the Kingdom with Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

The scheme will be established on and surrounded by state-owned lands, according to the government, which said that ministries and public departments will constitute the main pillar of the new city.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Sunday received Brazilian Defence Minister Raul Jungmann and an accompanying delegation with whom he reviewed ways of enhancing bilateral relations in the defence area, as well as the latest regional developments and efforts to combat terrorism, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Mulki stressed the strong relations between Jordan and Brazil and the Kingdom’s keenness on reinforcing the relations with the South American country to best serve the interests of the two countries and their people.

Mulki pointed out the efforts exerted by Jordan to combat terrorism through a holistic strategy, taking into consideration the military, security and ideological dimensions. 

He highlighted the efforts of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and security forces to maintain security and stability and protect the national borders. 

The premier reiterated Jordan’s stance in the region, calling for finding political solutions to the challenges faced by Arab countries. He stressed that the majority of the problems witnessed in the region are linked to the lack of a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Mulki emphasised the need to re-launch the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to reach a solution to the conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state under a two-state solution.

For his part, Jungmann expressed his country’s keenness to increase defence and military cooperation with Jordan, and to benefit from the Kingdom’s pioneering experience in border control and protection.

He voiced his aspiration to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the area of defence cooperation.

Jungmann stressed that Jordan is an example of a stable and secure country in the region, just like Brazil is in South America, which enhances the opportunities for cooperation. He also stressed Brazil’s support to the Palestinian cause on the basis of a two-state solution. 

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Mamdouh Abbadi, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani and Brazilian Ambassador to Jordan Francisco Carlos Soares Luz.

Also on Sunday, the delegation headed by Jungmann visited the General Command of JAF where they were received by Chief of Strategic Planning Brig. Gen. Nassar Athamneh. 

During the meeting, which was attended by senior officers of JAF, they discussed bilateral relations that serve the interests of both countries’ armed forces. 

AMMAN — Jordan is increasingly becoming a new destination for Thai tourists with a rapidly growing number of Thai students choosing the Kingdom as their destination for Islamic studies and learning Arabic, according to Thai Ambassador in Amman Pornpong Kanittanon.

Before 2011, there were only some 50 Thai students majoring in Arabic and Sharia studies, but the number has grown to 700 at present and is growing further annually, the ambassador said in a recent interview with The Jordan Times on the occasion of the national day, celebrated by the embassy on December 5.

“The number of Thai students coming to Jordan rose following the development in regional countries and is increasing every year…This is also due to the high quality of education in the country,” the ambassador said, adding that Jordan and Thailand established their diplomatic ties in 1966.

“I meet with Thai students every month and they are very happy here and the Islamic teaching they receive is moderate and this is something to be commended,” he added.

Jordan is famous for a number of tourist attractions and is increasingly becoming new destination for Thai tourists, the diplomat said, noting that the number of Thai tourists visiting Jordan amounted to less than 6,000 people annually a few years ago.

Currently the number is 6,000 per year and is increasing by 10-15 per cent, he said.

“We have direct flights but more promotion is needed to attract tourists to the Kingdom,” he added

According to the ambassador, a total of 15,000 Jordanians visit Thailand ever year.

Stressing that ties between the two countries are “solid and historic”, he called for the opening of a Jordanian embassy in Bangkok, which he said will greatly help boost ties at all levels.

“Although we are far as we are located in the Far East while Jordan is in the Middle East, we do have close ties and we are seeking closer cooperation. The opening of the embassy will help boost relations in all areas including tourism, trade, among other fields,” he said.

Annual trade exchange between Jordan and Thailand is around $200 million a year, of which $180 million are Thai exports to Jordan.

“With more promotions and trade missions, the imbalance can be addressed,” he added.

On cooperation in the field of rainmaking, the ambassador said experiments are being conducted in Jordan with the help of Thai experts, noting that teams are collecting data and Thai experts will be in Jordan to help with analysing the data.

“This is an ongoing process and it will take time before we see any results,” he stressed.

He added that Thailand was interested in increasing cooperation in the area of security and anti-terrorism.

“Jordan is a key player in these issues and we are looking forward to an increased cooperation in this regard,” he concluded.

AMMAN — “While Internet may play a facilitating role, it is not established that there is a causative link between it and radicalisation towards extremism, violent radicalisation, or the commission of actual acts of extremist violence,” a recent study by UNESCO titled “Youth and Violent Extremism on Social Media – Mapping the Research” showed.

Conducted to assess the extent to which social media lead vulnerable individuals to resort to violence, the research covered six regional areas (Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Arab world, parts of Africa and Asia) during the 2012-2016 period.

“Many people believe the Internet at large is an active vector for violent radicalisation that facilitates the proliferation of violent extremist ideologies. And they respond with online censorship, surveillance and counter-speech,” the report said, urging more comprehensive research on an issue that is still considered “under analysed” by international experts. 

With one of the highest percentages of Facebook users in the Arab world, and an Internet penetration of 87 per cent in 2016, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s latest figures, Jordan is considered to be one of the most at risk of those threats. 

This tendency is further heightened by the fact that 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s population is under 30 years old, which is considered the most vulnerable segment of society to the phenomenon of radicalisation, according to the study.

To counter these threats, Jordan has been implementing several online prevention campaigns, with a special focus on youth empowerment through media information literacy (MIL).

Citing the Kingdom as being on the forefront of the fight against online radicalisation, the study looked into the MIL initiative launched in 2014 in Jordan as part of the “Support to Media in Jordan” framework.

Implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry for Media Affairs with the support of the European Union, the project seeks to “empower youth with MIL competences for self-expression through media production and participation in social and political transformations”, according to its website. 

“We want to produce a generation who are aware, critical thinkers. We live in an era characterised by a deluge of information, and we want our students to differentiate between facts and rumours by equipping them to be predisposed to logic and objectivity,” Fatima Amouri, a teacher at a school hosting a MIL club, said.

The abilities to protect their cyber presence and safely navigate the Internet are some of the main lessons spread by the MIL clubs hosted by several schools across the Kingdom.

“With the younger generation spending approximately six hours a day on social media, media literacy can empower them in free self-expression, critical thinking, creativity and innovation, and can provide tools to guard young people against issues such as hate speech, extremism and violence,” Constanza Farina, UNESCO representative to Jordan said.

According to the report, these youth centred initiatives help create counternarratives that reflect youth perceptions of themselves and others, especially in terms of combating injustice, discrimination and social inequalities.

“We have more confidence now. We know how to think about the effect of news on people,” says Toulin, a student taking part in one of the MIL clubs.

Another initiative highlighted by the report is the Global MIL Week, held in Jordan for two consecutive years, with the aim of raising awareness on the importance of media literacy for social cohesion.

According to the study, such events contribute to the sharing of knowledge and expertise that will help in drafting of “a policy that is constructed on the basis of facts and evidence, and not founded on hunches – or driven by panic and fearmongering”.

Wrapping up on its initial question of a correlation between youth extremism and social media, the study concluded that, while some evidence suggests that Internet can play a role in the violent radicalisation process, through the dissemination of propaganda, as well as the reinforcement and engagement of an audience interested in radical messages, social media are, at best, an environment facilitating extremism, rather than driving it. 

Among its recommendations, the report called for a holistic approach to the issue, in which social media are not separated from other communication platforms, and from other offline social, economic and cultural factors. 

While commending “promising” MIL programmes, the study also called for an assessment of these electronic strategies on prevention of violent radicalisation, with a special focus on youth and women.

“More women researchers, including young researchers are needed … their life experiences may help to enrich understanding of the gender-specific and youth specific aspects of radicalisation and the role of the social media in this process,” the study concluded.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA), who is also the president of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), will chair a meeting of the general assembly of WAFF on Thursday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting will be held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea with the participation of the presidents and secretaries of west Asian federations.

The meeting will discuss various issues including approving the minutes of the assembly, in addition to outlining the administrative report provided by WAFF’s executive committee, which includes the federation’s activities during the past three years. 

AMMAN — President of the State Security Court (SSC) Judge Mohammad Afif on Sunday told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the court will announce its verdict in the Rakban case on Monday.

In June 2016, a car bomb attack on an army post near Rakban refugee camp killed seven Jordanian soldiers and injured 11, prompting the immediate closure of the Kingdom’s northern and northeastern borders, which remained closed ever since.

The five defendants, all Syrians, plead for clemency before the court, as they face death penalties if found guilty. 

AMMAN —The sales during the 18th National Olives Festival, which was organised by National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE) on Saturday, reached JD1,140,000, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In addition to olives, the event included the sale other rural products worth JD495,150. During the festival’s concluding ceremony, Agriculture Minister Khaled Hniefat said that tests proved the showcased olive oil is of excellent quality.

He added that this year’s festival witnessed an increase in turnout and an improvement in organisation. NCARE General Director Nizar Haddad said that the festival, in which 425 producers took part, received 125,000 visitors.

AMMAN — The Costa Mediterranea cruise ship on Sunday arrived at the port of Aqaba, carrying 2,800 European tourists, according to Sharhabeel Madi, the tourism and economic affairs commissioner at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.

Madi told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that 1,300 tourists will visit the city of Petra, while the others will spend their stay in Aqaba visiting, archaeological sites and tourist facilities.

He said that cruise ship trips to Aqaba, are part of plans to promote Aqaba and Petra, in cooperation with international companies specialised in marine tourism. 

AMMAN — The new regulations of the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination’s (Tawjihi) stipulate that the minimum pass grade for each course will be 40 per cent.

The regulations, which were published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette and went into effect immediately, also stipulated granting a certificate in Arabic for each student who achieved the minimum pass grade or higher in all courses in a certain stream, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.