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AMMAN — The German-Jordanian University (GJU) on Sunday held a meeting on the EDU-SYRIA project it is implementing, according to a GJU statement sent to The Jordan Times.

University officials and representatives of the project’s partners, as well as international organisations, attended the meeting, where discussions covered some of the key aspects of the project’s implementation.

EDU-SYRIA is an EU-funded project aimed at providing higher education scholarships for young Syrians and underprivileged Jordanians, according to the statement. Dhiah Abou Tair, the project’s manager, said the EU has provided an initial fund of 4 million euros.

AMMAN — The closure of the Iraqi and Syrian borders with Jordan have resulted in reducing local imports to these “key markets”, Minister of Industry, Trade Minister Maha Ali said on Monday.

At a meeting with British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Sajid Javid, Ali also referred to the Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on the local economy, the state budget and infrastructure, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

She also highlighted the importance of increasing economic cooperation with the UK through boosting bilateral commerce and establishing investments in Jordan, which offers opportunities in many sectors. Javid expressed his admiration of Jordan’s achievements despite the surrounding conditions and their repercussions on its economy, Petra reported.

AMMAN — Foreign Ministry Secretary General Mohammad Tayseer Bani Yassin on Monday received a copy of the credentials of newly appointed Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Safia Al Suhail.

At a the ceremony, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and expressed their joint commitment to enhancing them, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — There is no major shift in Jordan’s policy towards receiving refugees, but the Kingdom is taking the security concerns very seriously, said a government official on Sunday.

Jordan has taken so many refugees and is “willing to cooperate with any other country that is willing to take those refugees… We can send them in our airplanes”, said Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani, in reference to around 12,000 Syrian refugees camping across the border with Syria to the east.

The minister’s remarks came during a press conference in response to a question related to the reason of not allowing the entry of thousands of Syrians in that bordering area.

“Jordan maintains its open door policy…[but] we do have security concerns, and this group specifically came from the far northeast of Syria, areas that are controlled by Daesh,” Momani explained, echoing remarks by His Majesty King Abdullah during a recent CNN interview, adding that the country has intelligence suggesting that there are Daesh sympathisers and even members of this group. “We take this issue very seriously,” he said.

However, he reiterated that the Kingdom sends food, water, heating and medical supplies to these refugees. “We do not leave them without humanitarian support. We give them humanitarian support cut from the share that has been given to us.”

As for Jordan’s borders with Syria, the minister stressed that they will remain closed until “we are sure they are secure”.

As for the impact of lifting financial sanctions on Iran and Jordan’s concerns in this regard, Momani said: “We hope that this is a positive step and in the right direction.”

He added that the Kingdom also hopes that Iran will engage positively in enhancing regional peace and stability and respect the principles of good neighbourly ties and refrain from interference in the internal affairs of neighbours.

However, the minister stressed that Jordan will not accept having Iranian visitors coming for “religious” tourism. “For us, this issue is out of question,” Momani said.

AMMAN — The Lower House is expected to receive a "thoroughly-examined" version of the 2015 parliamentary election law from its Legal Committee by the end of this month, a veteran lawmaker said on Sunday.

President of the Legal Committee MP Mustafa Amawi said that the panel has held 112 meetings with representatives of the social and political spectra across the country to discuss the suggested elections law.

"The 6,842 people we met represented tribes, political parties, civil society organisations, youth and women’s societies, former premiers and professional organisations who contributed a total of 1,123 proposals during the discussions over the law," Amawi said.

The committee has examined all these suggestions, he said, adding that they included stiffening the penalty for the use of political money, enlarging the electoral districts and expanding the quota system, among many others.

"Forty-five per cent of the people we met expressed satisfaction over the new law for its preservation of some kind of the one-person, one-vote electoral system," Amawi told The Jordan Times.

“Some people, however, expressed concerns that the law would cause tribal disputes.”

The government sent the law to the House in September last year.

Under the 2015 elections bill, the number of Lower House members has been reduced to 130 from 150, based on the open proportional list at the district level.

The new law is based on an at-large voting system in which all candidates can run for parliamentary elections on one large multi-member ticket

Under Article 9 of the bill, eligible voters will have a number of votes equal to the number of seats allocated for their district in the Lower House.

“In my opinion, this law ensures fair representation of all social segments, regions and political powers in the House. Each segment will have a fair representation in the Chamber that reflects its actual size,” Amawi, who is also the House first deputy speaker, said.

AMMAN — A British delegation headed by Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Sajid Javid was in the Kingdom yesterday “to explore investment opportunities in Jordan”.

They met with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and separately with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The premier stressed in the talks the Kingdom's keenness to develop Jordanian-British relations at all levels, highlighting the attractive investment environment and legislation, in addition to the security and stability of Jordan as vital to the success of ventures lured into the country.

The premier also outlined achievements in Jordan’s political, economic and social reforms, adding that the Kingdom has evolved into a model for countries aspiring to full-fledged democracy, public freedoms, freedom of expression and respect of human rights.

Ensour also reviewed the repercussions Jordan bears as a result of hosting a large number of Syrian refugees, which placed extra pressure on resources, services and infrastructure, Petra reported.

For his part, Javid, accompanied by businesspeople representing major British companies, praised Jordan's role in hosting Syrian refugees, noting that Jordan has been enduring a burden that major countries would fail to shoulder.

He also expressed hope that the donor conference London is scheduled to host in February would result in further help to the Kingdom to bear the repercussions of hosting refugees.

The British official said the delegation accompanying him seeks to explore investment opportunities Jordan offers, Petra added.

Fakhoury, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali and British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden attended the meeting.

Also on Sunday, Fakhoury met separately with Javid and the delegates, and expressed the Kingdom's aspirations to develop its ties with the UK in a way that best serves both countries' interests, according to a ministry statement.

He also voiced the Kingdom's appreciation for London's support to Jordan in the development and humanitarian aspects through the assistance it has presented to Jordan.

Fakhoury outlined the aspects of competitiveness in Jordan’s investment promotion plans, noting that the Kingdom seeks to attract investments in the fields of renewable energy, water, transportation, civil development, tourism and ICT.

He said that Jordan’s portfolio of investment projects is worth $20 billion and can be implemented through public-private partnerships or the private sector alone.

Javid and the delegates expressed their admiration for Jordan’s political and economic reforms that made the country a role model, especially in light of regional events, the statement added.

The Business Secretary also took the time to meet a selection of young Jordanian entrepreneurs and learn about the small business future of the country, according to a statement from the British Embassy in Amman. 

“It is obvious that Jordan faces significant regional uncertainty, but by building greater business connections and strengthening the economic ties between our two countries we can hope to bring economic and national security,” Javid was quoted in the statement as saying.

He also visited the Irbid Industrial Zone, where he met Governor of Irbid Saad Shihab and toured a garment factory, to see the skills on offer in the Jordanian economy and to explore business and investment opportunities for UK companies. 

Javid’s visit came in preparation for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos, on January 21, 2016, according to the embassy.

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday reviewed a new national water strategy that will cost the Kingdom JD5.3 billion over the next 10 years, Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said.

The 2016-2025 water strategy will entail implementing several projects to secure additional water resources, as Jordan is the world’s second water-poorest country, added Momani, who is also minister of state for media affairs and communications.

At a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Momani told reporters that the national strategy also seeks to reduce the cost of producing one cubic metre of water from JD1.9 to JD1.4.

Currently, one cubic metre of water is sold to consumers at JD1, and “this price will not change”, he said.

Water consumption in the country increased by 20 per cent due to the influx of Syrian refugees, the minister added, and this strategy will provide the Kingdom with new water resources expected to amount to 178 million cubic metres (mcm).

The dams’ capacity alone will be increased, as per the strategy, by 25 per cent, according to Momani.

Water loss due to technical reasons and theft will also be reduced from 50 per cent to 30 per cent, under the plan.

One of the strategic projects is the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project (Red-Dead), which entails providing 187mcm of water in the first phase and 235mcm in the second phase, the government spokesperson said.

In addition, JD80 million will be invested in energy projects related to the water sector.

Momani also announced that the Cabinet approved increasing the oil storage capacity by raising the number of gas storage tanks from five to eight through a $26 million grant from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. 

In addition, the Cabinet approved a request by the National Electric Power Company to borrow JD388 million, he said, noting that the company’s accumulative debts stand at JD5.2 billion. 

The Council of Ministers also decided to exempt liquefied natural gas imports from the 36 per cent customs duty, and impose a 16 per cent sales tax. 

Meanwhile, the minister noted that the Kingdom has spent 93 per cent of the Gulf Cooperation Council grant to Jordan in 2015.

Smart IDs

At Sunday’s meeting, the Cabinet decided to add extra information to the planned smart ID card, a project that will be implemented over two stages this year, Momani said.

The tax number and required travel information, as well as basic information about citizens, will be included in the smart ID card, which can be used to replace the driving licence, in addition to the health insurance and social security cards.

The first national ID card will also use fingerprint recognition technology and — later — iris scans.

In November last year, ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh said the government will announce the mechanism to register citizens, noting that 5 million smart ID cards will be issued in 2016.

AMMAN — CARE International on Sunday launched an initiative to empower women economically, socially and politically in their communities to benefit themselves, their families and the country, according to organisers.

“Baderi” (take the initiative) aims at encouraging women to set up their own businesses — whether from their homes, shops or offices — to create a “better economic future” for their family members and community, CARE International said.

The initiative highlights the achievements and success stories of 10 Jordanian women to motivate women in the capital, governorates and rural areas to start their own businesses, CARE Jordan Country Director Salam Kanaan said.  

“In 2013, the Kingdom ranked 99 out of 148 countries regarding gender equality, according to a report on the gender gap,” Kanaan added at a ceremony to launch the project.

Women’s economic participation in Jordan witnessed a drop last year, declining from 14.2 to 12.2 per cent, Senator Mai Abul Samen, who is also the president of General Federation of Jordanian Women, said at the ceremony.

“This means the education of women goes to waste… they do not benefit from it,” she added.

Ethar Ghoul, who launched the Baderi project, said initiative members asked several organisations and entities to nominate women leaders in different fields and business owners submitted 50 applications.

“The criteria were not only about having a business; it included their aim to develop and serve the local community.”

“The goals of Baderi include delivering a unified message, refining skills, sharing experiences, inspiring to change and developing communication skills,” she said.

The 10 women selected are from Irbid’s Balaama, Zarqa, Amman, Fuheis, Madaba, Tafileh, Maan and Aqaba’s Diseh village. 

The initiative entails three tours around the Kingdom. 

“The first tour will take place in Irbid, Jerash and Ajloun; the second will be in Amman and its surroundings; and the third will cover Aqaba, Diseh village, Wadi Rum and Maan,” Ghoul said.

The message will be delivered through plays, performances, stand-up comedy and awareness lectures, she added.

Fuheis’ Ilham Ziadat, who was chosen among the 10 businesswomen, said she had a job in a government-owned company but was not satisfied until she reached her goal.

“Although the job was good, I didn’t feel content, so I started a business to sell Dead Sea products,” she told The Jordan Times.

Ziadat tested the products in her kitchen before selling them, and it took her two years instead of eight to repay the loan for the project’s seed money.

She and her husband now export Dead Sea products to 42 countries around the world, including China.

In 2008, she lost her son, Yazan Aranki, who was a member of the air force and killed in the line of duty; however, this gave her the motivation to establish an initiative to treat people for free in memory of her son. 

“Giving reduces the pain. Someone out there is benefitting from these services,” Ziadat said.

The other selected businesswomen work in different sectors, achieving success in a water company, retail, fashion design, mosaics and homemade food. 

Social Development Ministry Secretary General Omar Hamzeh, who was deputising for the minister, Reem Abu Hassan, said Jordanian women are partners in creating a better future.

“You cannot find one sector or field that women aren’t involved in, One of the important features of a successful place is teamwork,” he said at the ceremony.

AMMAN — An Israeli immigration and deportation court has decided to extend the prison term of Akram Abu Zahrah for one month and transferred him from Magedo Prison to Ayalon Prison, an activist said Sunday.

The 47-year-old Jordanian finished his prison term last Thursday after serving 14 years for protesting against former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to Al Aqsa Mosque, which sparked the second Intifada.

The media team supporting Jordanian prisoners in Israel, Fedaa, contacted Arab Knesset members Osama Saadi, who is in charge of the prisoner file, and Hanin Zu’bi to follow up on Abu Zahrah’s case, Fedaa member Shireen Nafe told The Jordan Times over the phone.

“We think the court took the extension decision to find a legal basis for Abu Zahrah to stay in Israel, until the Jordanian authorities finish their procedures to allow his entry into the Kingdom,” Nafe said.

She added that the Israeli authorities cannot allow the freed prisoner to stay there without a residence permit and decided to keep him in prison.

The Foreign Ministry follows up on prisoners’ cases on a daily basis, its spokesperson, Sabah Rafie, said Sunday, adding that she will contact the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv for more information on Abu Zahrah’s case.

Fedaa sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Sunday, urging him to look into the prisoner’s case to ensure his return to Jordan.

In the letter, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, Fedaa said Abu Zahrah’s family waited for him at the King Hussein Bridge last Thursday, but he never showed up because the procedures to secure his entry were not complete.

Last month, the Jordan Engineers Association said there are 26 Jordanian prisoners in Israel and 30 missing.

AMMAN — Around 4,000 private cars are ferrying passengers for a fee in the capital, the president of the Transport Services and Taxi Owners Union, Ahmad Abu Haidar, said on Sunday, calling on officials to curb this trend. 

Abu Haidar said the number of these vehicles has been growing since passengers are using them across the capital and beyond. 

“You can find many private cars picking up passengers in areas like Wihdat, Khreibet Al Souq and Raghadan. Many of them are widely used in Jerash as well,” he told the Jordan Times over the phone.

Last June, the Ajloun Traffic Department said it caught 123 private vehicles carrying passengers for a fee since the beginning of 2015.

The traffic department impounded the vehicles, imposed a JD100 fine on their owners and referred them to the administrative governor.

Officials at the Central Traffic Department (CTD) were not available to comment on the number of violations registered and plans to combat the phenomenon. 

Local media quoted Maj. Jalal Rahahleh, director of public relations at the CTD, as saying that the department issued 20,000 tickets against private vehicles carrying paying passengers last year. 

“We need new transport projects to make passengers use legal means of conveyance. The number of taxis operating in the capital cannot meet the needs of its residents because the population has increased significantly,” Rahahleh added. 

But Abu Haidar said increasing the number of taxis in Amman will exacerbate traffic jams in the capital. 

He noted that around 17,000 taxis operate in the Kingdom, 11,400 of which in Amman, in addition to 3,000 service cabs.

“We urge the public to use legal taxis in the capital”. 

But Omar Kiswani, an Amman resident who uses these private vehicles “a lot”, said he cannot depend on taxis.

“Taxi drivers are arrogant; they do not pick up everyone, only those passengers heading to the same destination as them. Meanwhile, private cars take me to where I need to go for the same price and without negotiating with me,” Kiswani added.