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AMMAN — The Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) has killed three infiltrators as they tried to smuggle “large amounts” of narcotics from Syria into the Kingdom, a JAF source said on Tuesday.  The Eastern Military Zone personnel, in coordination with relevant security institutions, applied the rules of engagement foiling a smuggling attempt and killing the three smugglers, the source said, noting that inspection of the area yielded 233,000 Captagon pills and 528,000 palm-sized sheets of Hashish, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  The source stressed that JAF will deal "firmly" with these attempts to protect Jordan's borders and prevent any infiltration or smuggling operations and will be vigilant to foil any endeavour to tamper with Jordan's national security.

AMMAN —  The Jordan Free Zone Investor Commission (JFZIC) said that, 34,902 electric vehicles (EVs) have been cleared during the January-November period of 2023, marking “significant” increase of a 140 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

In its 2023 report, JFZIC reported a rising trend in sustainable transport in the Kingdom when 15,576 EVs, 13,629 hybrid vehicles, 9,456 diesel vehicles and 15,634 gasoline vehicles were cleared in 2022. The trend continues in 2023 with hybrid vehicles imported to the country outnumbering diesel cars, the report said, with 14,873 hybrid vehicles, 7,309 diesel vehicles, and 10,640 gasoline vehicles cleared during the January-November period. 

In remarks to The Jordan Times, Jihad Abu Nasser, representative of the automobile sector at the JFZIC, said hybrid and electric vehicles represent 18 per cent of the transport system in the Kingdom, with EVs alone accounting for   80,000 out of the over two million registered vehicles. .

“Although they [EVs] still account for a small percentage of the market share in Jordan, demand on EVs has increased dramatically over the past two years, equalling half of the cars imported from 2015 to 2022.

Abu Nasser also emphasised the need for local investment in EV charging network to further boost demand on electric cars.

“There are around 60 operating EV charging stations in Jordan as of October 2023,” he said, citing official figures. 

The prices of the majority of EVs sold in Jordan range between JD10,000 to JD25,000, depending on model, size, and battery capacity, among other factors, according to Abu Nasser. He noted that Chinese vehicles currently dominate the automobile market in Jordan, accounting for roughly 80 per cent of EV imports. “It is expected that by the end of this year, Chinese vehicles will comprise over 50 per cent of the local automobile market share.”

He also pointed out that overall demand on cars in Jordan has declined since the beginning of the war on Gaza, attributing the decline to “psychological” factors and change in spending habit.

“But the import activity in Jordan was not impacted at all as car import deals are usually agreed upon at least three months in advance,” he said, adding,” While the summer season usually marks the peak period for automobile demand in Jordan, 2023 has been exceptional, witnessing increased demand for EVs throughout the year.” 

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Monday commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ diplomats and employees in representing Jordan and its positions internationally, especially during the current exceptional conditions.

During a visit to the ministry’s premises and a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Crown Prince Hussein said Jordanian diplomacy has an active role in highlighting the Kingdom’s messaging and positions, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, on Arab, regional and international issues, according to a Royal Court statement.

The meeting covered Jordan’s diplomatic efforts in dealing with the situation in Gaza, with His Royal Highness reaffirming the Kingdom’s position in calling for ending the war on Gaza, rejecting displacement, allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid, and working towards a political solution to the Palestinian issue to reach peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

At the meeting, which also included a video call with Jordan’s diplomatic missions, the Crown Prince said Jordanian embassies are homes for all Jordanian expatriates, highlighting their important role in promoting investment and tourism, which has suffered a decline due to regional developments, the statement said.

The Crown Prince listened to a briefing by Minister Safadi on the ministry’s political and diplomatic efforts, and the role of Jordan’s embassies in enhancing cooperation with Arab and friendly countries in service of national interests in various fields, especially in political, economic, and investment areas.

The minister stressed that Jordanian diplomacy, under the leadership of King Abdullah, is internationally regarded and has high stature, which is the culmination of Jordanian and Hashemite efforts and steadfast positions over the past 100 years, rooted in mutual respect, and keenness on working towards regional security, stability and peace, as well as enhancing joint Arab action and efficient international cooperation that fulfils Jordan’s aspirations and national interests, according to the statement.

Jordanian Ambassador to Palestine Issam Bdour gave a briefing via telepresence on the readiness of the Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza and the West Bank to provide medical services to the Palestinians.

The Crown Prince visited the ministry’s Operations and Consular Affairs Directorate, and listened to a briefing by its director, Sufyan Qudah, on the directorate’s operations centre’s duties, including responding to developments that emerge in any country that experiences wars, catastrophes and crises.

Qudah added that the centre’s mandate includes following up on the conditions of Jordanians abroad, in coordination with Jordan’s embassies, during critical conditions and providing assistance to them to ensure their safety and security.

In addition, Qudah highlighted the ministry’s efforts, in partnership with other entities, to evacuate Jordanians from Gaza since the eruption of the war, and follow up on those residing there.

According to the ministry’s figures, 881 Jordanians registered in the centre’s database reside in Gaza, 458 of whom were evacuated.

Jordan has 59 diplomatic missions around the world, and non-resident diplomatic representation in 87 countries.

AMMAN — A man, who was convicted by the State Security Court (SSC) in November 2022 of selling illegal narcotics to an undercover agent in Ramtha in return for JD10, had his five-year sentence upheld by a higher court.

The Court of Cassation upheld the ruling of the defendant, who is a Ramtha resident, after reviewing his case for around four months. 

The SSC declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics (Crystal meth) with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent on May 20.

The SSC handed the defendant five years in prison for the offence of possessing illegal narcotics and ordered him to pay JD5,000 in fines.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant had illegal narcotics and sent one of its agents to pose as a buyer.

“The AND agent got in touch with the defendant and asked him for a small stash of Crystal meth in return for JD10,” court documents said.

When the two met, AND agents made the exchange and left, court papers added.

The defendant was placed under surveillance and was arrested two months later, the court added.

Upon searching the defendant, the court maintained, the law-enforcement officers found various small quantities of illegal narcotics on him, court transcripts added.

Crystal meth is the common name for crystal methamphetamine, a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system.

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

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 sentence against the defendant.

The Court of Cassation judges presiding were Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi and Mohammad Khashashneh.

AMMAN — The value of foreign aid committed to Jordan in grants and soft loans from January to November 2023 reached $3.438 billion, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation said on Monday.

The aid includes multiple forms of support, including regular grants, soft loans and additional grants aimed at bolstering the Jordanian response plan to the Syrian crisis, according to a ministry statement cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Regular grants, amounting to $1.346 billion, were allocated for various development projects in sectors such as water and sanitation, economic development, education, health, public sector modernisation, justice, good governance, human rights, employment, vocational training, livelihoods, gender, agriculture, food security, environment, capacity building, youth, sports, entrepreneurship and partnership with the private sector, the statement said. 

Soft loans, totalling $1.584 billion, were directed towards development projects in sectors including water, sanitation, education, economic development, energy, and sectorial support through the budget. These projects are implemented through the Ministry of Finance and other relevant ministries and institutions.

In addition to regular and soft loans, foreign aid included additional grants to support the Syrian crisis response plan, amounting to $506.8 million. 

This allocation is distributed across various components of the plan, with $132.4 million designated for supporting service projects in host communities, $31.4 million for the general budget, and $343 million for supporting Syrian refugees, according to the statement. 

This funding represents about 23 per cent of the total amount required to support the response plan in 2023, which stands at $2.2 billion, the statement said. 

The foreign aid was allocated across diverse economic sectors, with the general budget support sector receiving 39 per cent, water and sanitation 25 per cent, energy 11 per cent, education 8 per cent, health 6 per cent, economic development 3 per cent, and the tourism sector 3 per cent. The remaining 5 per cent was distributed among other sectors.

AMMAN — The Government of Italy and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the presence of the Minister of Agriculturein Jordanandthe Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) signed on Monday a 990,000 euros agreement to enhance food security and resilience of host communities and Syrian refugees in Jordan through agrifood production chains.

Funded through AICS, the overall goal of the project isto improve the efficiency of the value chain of agricultural products and food commodities and enhance food security and livelihoods of 200 households ofhost communities and Syrian refugees in Balqaa, Jerash and Ajloun, where targeted households will benefit from developing their skills to generate self-employment, increase their income and support their families in nutritional activities, according to a FAO Jordan statement. 

The project will address the needs of Syrian refugees and beneficiaries from the Jordanian host communities by promoting self-reliance and providing them with the "know-how" and business skills required in agri-food production. The project will include training on transformative technologies in production and market-need assessment. 

Minister of AgricultureKhalid Hneifatconfirmed that the ministry worked in accordance with the National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture to organise cooperation and partnership mechanisms with international community and international organisations to harmonise with the pillars of the plan.

He pointed out that cooperation with FAO supports these pillars, especially in the field of rural development and the empowerment of women and youth, and this is within the fields of training, qualification, empowerment, and financing to enhance access to markets and increase income generation for the productive families and increase employment opportunities to reduce poverty rates.

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said “Achieving the component of capacity building represents an added value to this project through establishing farmer field school (FFS) and farmer business school (FBS) activities, which are a comparative advantage of FAO. The FFS approach was launched by FAO in1989 in Asia and in 2004 in Jordan.

It evolved from the concept that optimal learning is derived from experience and in the case of farmers, from observations in the field.” He added, “FAO has succeeded in integrating FFS under its planned projects and initiatives for agricultural development and capacity building, which all pour into the enhancement of food security.

The thematic areas address farmer business school (FBS), post-harvest activities, modern agricultural technology, rural development, and entrepreneurial projects.”

Jordan hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees, with 80 percent of them living in host communities and the remaining hosted in refugee camps.

While the Syrian crisis is affecting the whole of Jordan, there is a particular concern about the impact in the governorates of Balqaa, Jerash, and Ajloun, which host a high number of refugees with limited development interventions and support.

This has resulted in significant pressure on local service delivery, natural resources, and the local labour market in the three governorates, the statement said. 

Luciano Pezzotti, the Ambassador of Italy, during themeeting attended also by the head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS),RoxaneWeber,added “The Italian government is committed to supporting food security and resilience of the Jordanian host communities and the Syrian Refugees through agri-food production chains.

This initiative, which is funded by the Italian government, will help to promote theentrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance of Syrian refugees and Jordanians alike and enhance the sustainable and long-term development of the agricultural sector in Jordan. We believe that this project will have a positive impact on the lives of those who benefit from it, and we are proud to be working with FAO on this important initiative,” the statement read. 

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh met on Monday the World Bank Group president Ajay Banga in Dubai.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Jordan and the World Bank in the economic and development fields, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Acknowledging the strong partnership between Jordan and the World Bank, Khasawneh voiced the Kingdom's keenness on enhancing cooperation with the global lender in implementing the government’s initiatives for economic recovery and sustainable growth.

The premier thanked the World Bank for its support for the priorities listed in the modernisation programme and expressed the government's commitment to implementing comprehensive modernisation, particularly in the economic and administrative sectors.

Khasawneh also discussed the IMF-supported national programme for financial and monetary reform which aims to enhance financial and monetary stability, strengthen Jordan's resilience to regional challenges, and promote economic competitiveness and job creation.

On the challenges posed by the Syrian refugee crisis, Khasawneh underlined the “limited” international support for Jordan's response plan, calling on the World Bank to work with donors to ensure support for the plan.

Banga praised Jordan's reforms in various sectors and reaffirmed the group's readiness to work closely with Jordan to address economic challenges, particularly amidst the global economic slowdown. 

AMMAN — Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) on Monday announced launching a new website to communicate with military retirees.

The website (https://phone.jaf.mil.jo) is intended for retired military personnel to update their contact information to facilitate communication in all national occasions and JAF activities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The website also aims to provide all available resources to their service.    

AMMAN — Security Forces arrested two individuals who burned a vehicle in Karak Governorate. The Public Security Spokesperson on Monday said that a report received that two unidentified individuals set a vehicle on fire while it was parked in front of its owner's residence in Ghour Safi, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  Security forces launched an investigation that led to identifying two suspects who are in custody and waiting referral to the court.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said on Monday that 75 per cent of refugees and other persons in need of international protection are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.

The premier’s remarks came during his participation in a special session on the Climate-Refugee Nexus Initiative, organised on the sidelines of  the Conference of the Parties COP28 currently taking place in Dubai.

Addressing the session, Khasawneh noted that His Majesty King Abdullah, during the initiative’s launch at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, referred to the unique challenges faced by countries like Jordan, which bear the dual pressures of climate change and its consequences, and hosting large numbers of refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister also cited His Majesty's calls for countries to participate in the initiative, which aims at "setting priorities" in supporting host countries facing climate change impacts, noting that approximately 60 countries have already joined the initiative.

He added that, as of the middle of this year, 110 million people had been forcibly displaced worldwide, including 62.5 million internally displaced persons and 36.4 million refugees, marking an increase of 25 per cent in one year.

Khasawneh said that 75 per cent of refugees and other persons in need of international protection were hosted by low- and middle-income countries. “Simultaneously, these nations are facing rising challenges such as climatic factors, disasters and growing external debt, hindering their ability to address specific national needs, and achieve sustainable development goals and development aspirations.”

Khasawneh noted that climate change is impacting Jordan in various forms, included rising temperatures, reduced rainfall rates and surge in extreme weather events including drought and floods. 

“The Kingdom has also witnessed a big rise in population due to the influx of refugees, which currently accounts for one third of the Kingdom's 11.4 million people.”

The prime minister explained that such pressures combined have increased Jordan's suffering as one of the world's most water-scarce countries, and exacerbated pressure on services and infrastructure, which resulted in affecting overall economic, social, environmental and climate conditions. “These challenges must be addressed comprehensively.”