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AMMAN — President of Rotary International Ravi Ravidran on Sunday commended efforts exerted by the Rotary clubs in Jordan, which he said come as a “genuine” response to local community needs. 

During his visit to the Kingdom, Ravidran toured two projects carried out by the Rotary Jordan at the Dead Sea and in Southern Shuneh.

The first scheme includes distributing bicycles to students in Southern Shuneh as a way to enable them to reach school faster.

“I don’t see this as a gift of bicycles, but a gift of education… it helps support literacy and education in Jordan,” said Ravidran, who described the Rotary as a service foundation rather than a charity.

The other project implemented by Rotary clubs in Jordan entailed cleaning the Dead Sea’s tourist beach with the participation of club members. 

According to Ravidran, the main purpose of the global network of 1.2 million volunteers is to strengthen efforts to work towards the betterment of communities. 

“We deal with every religion in the world. Our purpose is simply to mobilise the people who are successful and channel their work into areas that benefit their communities,” he said, noting that each country sets its own priority for action. 

Present in more than 200 countries, the Rotary is “about to eradicate polio”, which only exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan now. 

“More than $11 billion has been put to fight polio so far,” said Ravidran, noting that Rotary “will not shift its focus on polio until it is fully eradicated”. 

Ravidran said he decided to pay a visit to Jordan upon a recommendation from Rotary board member Safak Alpay, due to the “distinguished” activity of the Rotary clubs in Jordan. 

AMMAN — The World Bank (WB) on Sunday announced a $100 million interest-free loan to Jordan to provide job opportunities for 100,000 Jordanians and Syrians, as part of a larger package of assistance to help the country address the refugee crisis through development-oriented solutions. 

Also on Sunday, His Majesty King Abdullah met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and WB Group  President Jim Yong Kim, who announced the international aid plan tailored for Jordan, and exchanged views on how to enhance Jordan's capabilities to face the mounting burdens ensuing from the Syrian refugee influx. 

The concessional loan will be extended to Jordan despite the fact that the Kingdom is not eligible to obtain such loans as an upper-middle income country, but the exception was made as an extraordinary measure to cope up with the impact of the refugee challenge, said Kim.

WB chief made the announcement at a joint press conference with the UN secretary general, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury during a joint visit by the two international figures to Jordan.

“For the first time in history, we take money designated solely for the poorest countries, and give it to an upper-middle income country, because Jordan has taken extraordinary measure,” the WB chief told the press.

Kim explained that this is a completely new approach, through which “we take grants from donors … and blend them in loans to be paid over a long period at a zero percentage interest. 

“We will use that to create 100,000 jobs.” Even after the Syrian refugees return to Syria, this will be a job generator for Jordanians and a driver for future growth.

“We are not doing this only to respond to the Syrian crisis; we are … taking extraordinary measures to show Jordan how much the world appreciates what is being done to the refugees”, Kim explained.

In addition, he noted that the bank is raising a billion dollar from donors and then adding to that $3 billion to $4 billion of loan money once again, at a zero per cent interest and long payback period so that “we can help Jordan go through reforms that it has been already committed to…like developing the business environment [and] improving the educational system”.

Meanwhile, Fakhoury said Jordan is doing a global public good while hosting the highest ratio of refugees compared to population.

He added that both guests stressed that they will work closely with the international community to meet their obligations to Jordan.

In addition to the $100 million concessional loan, Jordan works with the WB on another “development policy loan” as a concessional loan with an amount of $250 million and on the implementation of London conference results with another concessional loan that ranges between $300 million to $400 million to support the implementation of Jordan Compact, which lists pledges made to Jordan at London donor conference in February.

Fakhoury also noted that the Kingdom currently works with the WB to draft the “Country Partnership Framework” for the 2017-2022 cycle to support Jordan’s development programmes in three pillars: enhancing economic resilience, finding opportunities to improve competitiveness and reducing poverty.

Speaking at the conference, Ban expressed his appreciation for Jordan for hosting Syrian refugees.

He also underscored the importance of the peace and stability in the region, noting that “the peace and stability [of the region] have a great implication” on the entire world.

Addressing the conference, Judeh said the visit of the two leaders is an indicator of political support to Jordan and shows the understanding of these two institutions of the burden that Jordan is shouldering on behalf of the world.

Prior to the presser, according to Judeh, talks with Ban and Kim focussed on permanent cessation of hostilities in Syria, efforts to combat terrorism, and the peace process that is considered a main concern for Jordan. 

At the King’s meeting with the two international officials , attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, King Abdullah urged the international community’s economic and humanitarian institutions to intensify their efforts to help address the challenges Jordan faces as a result of hosting some 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, also tackled ways to build on the London donor conference’s recommendations, and highlighted the importance of supporting countries affected by the Syrian refugee crisis, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King and two officials discussed the latest developments in the region, especially in Syria, and regional and international efforts to combat extremism and terrorism.

On peace endeavours in the region, they stressed the importance of stepping up efforts aimed at resuming the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis, based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.

The trilateral meeting also reviewed means for the WB to help Jordan implement its national economic and development programmes, as King Abdullah highlighted the Kingdom’s reform process, especially in the economic field.

During the meeting with Ensour, Ban said the UN works with Jordan to support the Jordan Response Plan and stressed the importance of taking advantage of available opportunities to achieve peace in Syria. 

The WB and UN chiefs also visited the Zaatari Refugee Camp to have a first-hand look at the conditions and needs of the refugees hosted there. During the tour, Ban highlighted the UN’s continuous support to Jordan to minimise the burdens it is shouldering. 

For his part, Kim reiterated the bank’s support for Jordan’s development programmes and improvement of services offered to the public. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said that Jordan and Turkey face similar challenges, including the repercussions of the Syrian crisis and the terror threat.

At a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu His Majesty underlined that such challenges necessitate constant cooperation and coordination to safeguard mutual interests and preserve the security and stability of the region and its people, a Royal Court statement said.

The talks, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, addressed regional crises, especially in Syria, endeavours to reach a comprehensive political solution to the conflict and means to ease its repercussions on neighbouring countries, mainly those related to the millions of Syrian refugees hosted by the two countries. 

In this regard, King Abdullah and Davutoğlu urged the international community to commit to its responsibilities towards host countries and help them address the burdens ensuing from the refugee crisis.

On the threat terrorism poses to the Middle East and the rest of the world, they stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to eradicate terror groups in line with a holistic approach and effective coordination among regional and international players.

During a one-on-one encounter, which was followed by an extended meeting, His Majesty renewed Jordan’s condemnation of the recent terrorist attacks which targeted Turkey, expressing his condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people over the loss of innocent lives.

The Monarch and the Turkish premier also highlighted the “strong Jordanian-Turkish” relations and expressed joint keenness to boost them at all levels, especially in the transport, water and infrastructure sectors.

The two sides reviewed ways to enhance joint economic partnerships and benefit from opportunities available in each country, highlighting the unique geographical location of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, which can serve as a hub and gateway for Turkish industries into regional markets.

In this regard, the King underlined investment opportunities available in Jordan and encouraged the Turkish private sector to invest in mega projects in Jordan, urging exchanged visits by businesspeople and economic delegations, according to the statement.

For his part, Davutoğlu voiced his country’s keenness to enhance bilateral ties at all levels and sustain coordination and consultation over regional developments in a way that safeguards mutual interests.

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Davutoğlu held talks that focussed on means to enhance bilateral relations in various fields.

During the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from both countries, Ensour and Davutoğlu also discussed the latest regional developments and international counter-terrorism efforts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Noting that the Jordanian-Turkish diplomatic relations date back to 1937, Ensour stressed that it is among the Kingdom’s top priorities to enhance its economic and political ties with Ankara.

Ensour added that the “unprecedented” challenges the region is facing, especially the rising terrorism, require intensified cooperation and coordination between Jordan and Turkey, along with the rest of the international community, according to Petra.

The premier underlined the “fruitful” economic cooperation between the two countries, especially after 2011 when the free trade agreement they signed went into effect.

“The Jordanian-Turkish free trade agreement has increased the volume of trade exchange from $57 million in 2010 to $170 million in 2014,” Ensour said, adding that Jordan’s imports from Turkey increased from $560 million to $850 million between 2011 and 2014.

He noted, however, that Jordanian exports to Turkey went down by around 43 per cent in 2015 as a result of the Syrian crisis and the closure of border crossings.

Ensour also called on the Turkish businessmen and investors to take advantage of Jordan’s strategic location and the free trade agreement it has entered with several economic powers.

Stressing the need for stronger coordination and cooperation between Amman and Ankara, Davutoğlu pointed out that a secure and stable Jordan is an integral component of the entire region’s stability and security, underlining the Kingdom’s effective role in protecting Jerusalem’s holy sites, according to Petra.

In the presence of Ensour and Davutoğlu, Jordan and Turkey signed a draft agreement between the Jordan Hijaz Railway Corporation and the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), and a bilateral agreement to protect and encourage investments in the two countries.

Both countries also signed a memorandum of understanding for industrial cooperation, and another for cooperation in meteorology, among other deals.

Ensour also noted that Turkish investments in the Kingdom are estimated at around $300 million.

AMMAN — Amnesty International (AI) has no right to take a “higher moral ground” towards Jordan, with its latest allegations that Syrian refugees in Jordan are denied access to critical health services, Nasser Judeh, minister of foreign affairs, said on Sunday.

At a joint press conference with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Judeh criticised the watchdog for the claims made last week, adding that AI should have focused on the countries that are not helping Syrian refugees.

In its report, the watchdog alleged that the “grossly inadequate support from the international community and barriers imposed by the government of Jordan are leaving Syrian refugees unable to access healthcare and other vital services”.

Citing the case of three Syrian women who had recently given birth at an NGO hospital in Irbid, AI claimed in thereport, titled “Living on the margins: Syrian refugees struggle to access healthcare in Jordan”, that the women had delayed crucial antenatal check-ups because they could not afford public hospital fees and transportation costs.

AI said it has gathered information from humanitarian workers and family members of Syrian refugees with critical injuries that were allegedly denied entry to Jordan for medical care.

In response, Judeh said that the author(s) of the report should “come to Jordan and spend some time here”, adding that “the entire world is acknowledging what Jordan is doing to Syrian refugees”.

Judeh said the Kingdom is hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees on its soil, with almost 640,000 of whom registered as refugees. “Hundreds of thousands are treated in Jordanian hospitals and health facilities.”

Not only health services are provided to Syrians, as the minister added, noting that several sectors have been affected by the refugee burden. He cited the fact that schools are going back to the double-shift system after it has disappeared from the educational landscape  “many years ago”.

The minister’s remarks came in response to a question by The Jordan Times. He went on to outline the impact of hosting Syrians on other sectors, including energy, water and jobs.

According to Judeh, services to Syrians are also being provided to those who are camping in the no-land area across the border.

According to official figures, so far, the Syrian crisis has cost Jordan over $7 billion.

AMMAN — The government on Sunday encouraged Turkish businesspeople to implement investment projects in Jordan that entitle them to benefit from free trade agreements as well as incentives offered by special economic zones.

Speaking at the Turkish-Jordanian Business Forum, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour highlighted the need for "co-production" and for Turkish industries and technologies to be based in Jordan, reiterating the government's commitment to facilitating the required procedures.

Once settled in Jordan, products of Turkish investments can benefit from the Kingdom's free trade agreements with North America and Europe, he said.  

The premier added that developing a regular line for maritime transport between Iskenderun and Aqaba ports through the roll on-roll off system will significantly enhance commercial and economic cooperation.

He also cited a great potential to enhance religious tourism, where Turkish tourists can visit a large number of shrines, highligting Jordan as the passageway of Turkish pilgrims on their way to visit Al Aqsa Mosque.

For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said advancing bilateral ties in the fields of economy, tourism and culture are central for mitigating the impacts
of regional unrest.

He noted that the free trade agreement between Turkey and Jordan, signed in 2009, has increased trade volume from $55 million to $1 billion, yet economic cooperation should grow further.

Davutoğlu said the Aqaba port is "strategic" to Turkish trade, highlighting Turkish Airlines' readiness to increase the number of its weekly flights to Aqaba and Amman.

Organised by the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) and the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), the forum is a venue for businesspeople from the two countries to negotiate possible cooperation in bilateral meetings, according to JBA President Hamdi Tabba.

He noted that the opening of the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency Coordination Office in Amman is expected to provide support in the implementation of grants and technical assistance offered by the Turkish government to Jordan.

Ibrahim Caglar, board member of DEIK, vice president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey and president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, said the scrapping of visas and enhancing customs cooperation can further enhance economic and commercial ties. 

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Deputy Chief Commissioner Yusuf Mansur briefed Turkish businesspeople on possible investment opportunities in the zone, including the King Hussein International Airport, logistic and industrial cities, solar energy projects and a sports city.

Jordan Investment Commission President Thabet Al Wir highlighted development zones as major investment attractive areas that exempt businesses from all taxes and customs duties, except for a 5 per cent income tax.

He said Jordan has qualified workforce, suitable infrastructure, an encouraging investment environment and rule of law, adding that the Kingdom's commercial agreements allow its products to reach around 1 billion consumers.

Wir cited the fields of tourism, energy, ICT, healthcare and pharmaceuticals as promising sectors for new investments. 

AMMAN – The Anti-Narcotics Department (AND), in cooperation with the General Intelligence Department, has arrested five suspects allegedly involved in drug dealing, a Public Security Department (PSD) statement said on Sunday.

AND received information about three South American suspects upon their arrival in the Kingdom, which indicated they have previous records in drug dealing. 

Agents collected information that led to the arrest of three of the suspects at a hotel room, where 3kg of cocaine were found hidden in rubber bags that the suspects had allegedly swallowed to smuggle them into Jordan, the statement added. 

The investigation team obtained permission from the prosecutor general to allow the three arrested suspects to continue communications with prospective customers to determine the deal's time and place. 

The agents then accompanied the suspects to the location, where two others were arrested for purchasing the drugs. 

All of the suspects were taken into custody and transferred to the State Security Court prosecutor general, the PSD statement said.

In December last year, the PSD reported two cases involving the arrest of South American suspects who were caught smuggling cocaine in their stomachs.

The suspects in both cases were arrested at the Queen Alia International Airport.

AMMAN — Several workers at Aqaba clearance companies are striking in protest against a decision to relocate them to a new area, which they claim is situated in a “dangerous” location.

The new site, dubbed “Square 4”, is 20km away from the customs border centres, while the road leading to it — the daily route of more than 3,000 trucks — is known as the “death road”.

The decision to move to the new location was made by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).

“It is true that the route to Square 4 is difficult, but that is not our decision and we have to continue to provide our services,” Abdul Menem Azaizeh, president of the Association of the Owners of Cargo Shipment and Clearance Companies, told The Jordan Times on Sunday.

He noted that there are 800 clearance company employees in Aqaba, around 200 of whom have been protesting the decision to relocate since Saturday.

“While we understand where they are coming from, we cannot do anything,” Azaizeh said.

On the other hand, Mahmoud Khleifat, ASEZA secretary general and commissioner for customs and revenues, said the new location will offer one-stop for the clearance process, with the presence of all the necessary institutions, including the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation and the agriculture department.

“Square 4 is a model custom’s area that we have been preparing since 2010 to develop inspection measures,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that ASEZA will cooperate with the Public Works Ministry to open two additional lanes for the road to the location.

“Employees can take another road to Square 4,” Khleifat noted, and the route to the new location is “not any different from other roads in the Kingdom that are open to trucks”.

At a meeting with the Lower House labour, social development and housing committee on Sunday to discuss the issue, the committee of workers at clearance companies in Aqaba refused the decision, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The workers’ committee also threatened to go on strike at all customs centres if the decision is implemented.

Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Ghassan Ghanem said Public Works Minister Sami Halaseh directed stakeholders to revamp the road to Square 4 and provide free transportation to the area for workers, visitors and clearance companies, Petra added. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak, who is currently visiting Jordan, a Royal Court statement said. 

The King stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations, especially in economic and investment fields, calling for taking advantage of available investment opportunities in the Kingdom to increase commercial exchange. 

Discussions covered regional and international developments, especially in regard to anti-terrorism efforts.

For his part, Crnadak voiced his country's appreciation of His Majesty's efforts to boost security and stability in the Middle East and the world. 

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with Crnadak, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meeting, the foreign minister praised the role of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans.

Ensour stressed the importance of boosting bilateral relations, referring to His Majesty's recent speech at the Munich Security Conference when he called for opening up to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the Balkans. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh also met with Crnadak and discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, Petra reported.

The senior diplomats stressed the importance of coordination to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and the Balkans. 

Judeh said Jordan supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts to boost religious and ethnic coexistence in the Balkans, while Crnadak said his country appreciates Jordan's supportive stances.

The two officials also discussed the importance of reviving negotiations that address all final-status issues and lead to an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on relevant international terms of reference and the Arab Peace Initiative.

They also discussed developments in Syria and the importance of finding a political solution to end the crisis, in addition to the importance of intensifying efforts to combat terrorism. 

AMMAN — The Lower House on Sunday endorsed the 2015 draft integrity and anti-corruption law, which stipulates the establishment of a national commission for integrity and anti-corruption.

Under the law, the Audit Bureau and the Anti-Corruption Commission will be integrated into one administratively and financially independent entity called the national centre for integrity and anti-corruption, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

As per the bill, abuse of public office, illicit fortunes, bribery, wasta (using personal connections to obtain favours or posts) and other practices are classified as corruption.

The law also stipulates that a specialised prosecutor general, appointed by the Higher Judicial Council, looks into corruption-related cases referred by the envisioned commission, Petra reported. 

Also under the law, people can file complaints against public agencies for their failure to comply with the principles of the National Integrity Charter.

Discussing the law last week, some MPs requested that the envisioned entity be subject to the Chamber's monitoring like the Audit Bureau.

"To have the House's monitoring over the envisioned commission sanctioned in a law is not needed because, as in the case of other entities, it will be supervised by MPs," Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said at the time.

Under lawmakers' amendments to the draft law, the envisioned commission will be managed and supervised by a president and four board members, "none of whom should hold dual citizenship".

Under the law, the commission's president and board members will be appointed by a Royal Decree under a recommendation by the prime minister.

AMMAN — Around 200 protesters held a demonstration on Saturday near Royal Jordanian's (RJ) headquarters to protest the airline's "arbitrary" decision to terminate the services of employee Zuhair Maharmeh.

"He [Zuhair] violated RJ's internal system by writing things that badmouth and offend the company's administration and the General Trade Union of Workers in Air Transportation and Tourism on social media websites, which is why he was fired," RJ spokesperson, Basil Kilani, told The Jordan Times over the phone on Sunday. 

Maharmeh, former assistant manager at RJ's cargo claims department, served at the company for 13 years before losing his job for criticising a decision to raise health insurance premiums for RJ employees in comments on Facebook.

But Kilani said health insurance subscription fees did not increase for employees, noting that the raise will be covered by the company, while some medical conditions are no longer covered by the insurance.

Maharmeh, who claimed that his Facebook comment was about the General Trade Union of Workers in Air Transportation and Tourism, the authority responsible for defending workers' rights, met with the heads of RJ departments on March 24 and received the letter of termination of services.

"I felt horrible when I realised I was fired and when I looked at the letter, I saw that it was signed on March 22, which means that I had been already fired when I went to the meeting," Maharmeh told The Jordan Times in a phone interview. 

When his brother came to pick him up, an altercation ensued with the managers, taking an ugly turn.

"I threw my shoe at [Khalid Al] Masri, [head of HR and administration at RJ], but it was a reaction in the heat of the moment,” Maharmeh claimed. 

Security eventually removed him and his brother from the premises.