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AMMAN – Head of the Privatisation Evaluation Committee Omar Razzaz on Tuesday said that the panel –– through its recent report –– did not aim at ending the controversy surrounding the transfer of some state-owned properties to the private sector, but to present facts to the public. 

“We are not seeking to make all read on the same page, but rather to present facts to the public,” Razzaz said at a press conference, just two days after the release of the committee’s report of findings and recommendations that was presented to His Majesty King Abdullah and the government. 

He reiterated that the committee based its assessment of the privatisation process on facts and figures as well as a thorough examination of a large number of documents related to the privatisation process that started over two decades ago. 

The committee was formed in March last year, upon a Royal directive to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, comprising a group of local and international experts in the field of economic and social policies who were tasked with assessing privatisation policies and transactions.    

The report reviewed the privatisation of 19 companies which used to be owned by the government in the fields of mining, telecommunications, aviation, water and electricity. 

He pointed out that there were some legal violations in some of the transactions, particularly in the phosphate company deal as officials at that time followed direct negotiations with one investor without inviting tenders from various investors. 

However, Razzaz said that the privatisation programme had also boosted the performance of the companies and created more jobs for Jordanians. 

He said that the report criticised the transfer of the government’s shares in certain sectors, especially in mining and cement, adding that keeping strategic stocks in these firms would have prevented monopoly. 

“The most important issue is that authorities follow up on the findings of the report and to be transparent with the public when they consider future deals,” he said. 

Hiding information and facts from the public had created a state of uncertainty and scepticism among average citizens regarding the privatisation process, Razzaz added. 

According to the panel’s chairperson, revenues generated from privatisation reached JD1.7 billion, of which around JD1.5 billion went to paying the Kingdom’s debts.

On Sunday, King Abdullah stressed the importance of building on the outcome of the committee report by utilising its results in drawing up economic strategies, and boosting the partnership between the public and the private sectors. 

During a meeting with the panel’s members, attended by Ensour, the King commended the committee’s efforts, stressing that the government should conduct an in-depth study of the report to assess the reality on the ground. 

The government should adopt the panel’s recommendations as it devises future strategies, in accordance with the directives appearing in the Royal letter to the premier on Saturday, the King said, referring to a letter in which His Majesty directed the government to draw up a clear 10-year plan for economic revival.

JORDAN VALLEY — The "beautiful landscape" of Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark inspired Briton Matt Loveland to organise a triathlon and duathlon in the area every year.

"When I visited the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark, I was struck by the beauty of the location and its potential to host a triathlon. So I proposed the idea to the assistant director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, Abdel Rahman Sultan," Loveland told The Jordan Times in an interview on Saturday. 

"He was very enthusiastic about the idea and we agreed to work together to create Jordan’s first adventure triathlon," he said on the sidelines of the second Jordan Valley Triathlon & Duathlon, in which 61 people representing 18 nationalities took part.

"I founded the event mainly out of a love for the outdoors. I had competed in such events in the mountains of England and I want to provide an opportunity for the people of Jordan to enjoy a similar experience," said Loveland, founder of the event's organiser Experience Jordan.

The race, held in cooperation with Friends of the Earth and Free Adventures, is an off-road adventure triathlon and duathlon.  

The triathlon combines open-water swimming, on and off-road cycling and cross-country running, while the Duathlon consists of a cross-country run, a cycle leg and a second cross-country run.

Loveland said the event aims to get people to explore the outdoors and help promote healthy living. 

"Once you are registered for an event like a triathlon, it provides you with a lot of motivation to eat healthy and to go to the gym throughout the whole year to prepare for race day."

"With the combination of four different races — both a long and short triathlon and duathlon — we provided the opportunity for people of different levels of fitness to participate. Furthermore, the duathlon provided an opportunity for people who are weaker swimmers to participate," he added.

"Also, the setting was amazingly beautiful… People enjoyed the race, although they certainly found it challenging."

The winner of the men’s sprint triathlon, Jordanian Firas Al Hamoudi, broke last year’s record by over 30 minutes. 

"I represent Jordan in international races and in the Middle East as well. The race was super cool. I really enjoyed the running part. It’s a good time to do this race… in this area," Hamoudi said.

Canadian James Jules Lynton participated in the event as a volunteer with Friends of the Earth. "It was a great race, and there were a lot of good competitors… It was a lot of fun," Lynton added.

AMMAN — India on Tuesday said Jordan has a pivotal role in ensuring regional stability and security.

Speaking at a meeting with acting Foreign Ministry Secretary General Mohammad Tayseer Bani Yassin, Anil Wadhwa, secretary (East) in the ministry of external affairs of India, commended Jordan’s leadership, expressing his country’s keenness on maintaining coordination with the Kingdom.

Bani Yassin briefed Wadhwa and other delegates on the US-brokered peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis and the outcome of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visits to the region.

Bani Yassin asserted the Kingdom’s continued support for efforts that lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Discussing developments in Syria, he emphasised Jordan’s position in support of a political solution that guarantees the security and safety of Syria and its territorial integrity and meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Bani Yassin also highlighted the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis and the burdens borne by the Kingdom as a result of hosting more than 600,000 Syrian refugees, stressing that the international community should shoulder its responsibilities to help Jordan pursue its humanitarian mission. 

Later on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met with the delegates, who arrived in Amman on Sunday for a several-day visit, to examine ways to boost bilateral relations and discuss the latest regional developments.

Judeh highlighted the “strong relations” between the two countries and their peoples in all fields, underscoring the importance of efforts to develop the two-way relations. 

He cited a recent meeting with India’s Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid on the sidelines of an international conference and affirmed Jordan’s keenness on maintaining and fostering cooperation. 

The delegates, who are in Jordan for foreign office consultations, are also scheduled to meet with other Jordanian officials to discuss issues of mutual interest. 

AMMAN — Tour operators on Tuesday expressed shock over a decision announced overnight to raise entry visa fees to the Kingdom from JD20 to JD40, noting that this will negatively affect their business.

In interviews with The Jordan Times, they said they were informed of the decision only one day before it went into effect on April 1.

“Sudden decisions affect our credibility with travel agents that we deal with abroad and will negatively affect incoming tourism,” said Mohammad Samih, tour operator and former president of Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association.

“The industry is already suffering, and we couldn’t attract the tourists who used to visit the regional countries that are now affected by turmoil,” Samih noted, adding that this is because Jordan is an expensive destination and the further rise in visa fees will be a “disaster”.

Fadi Areish, CEO of Al Thuraya Travel and Tours, agreed with Samih.

“Although the decision to increase visa fees was issued on March 27, we were told about it on March 31,” Areish told The Jordan Times over the phone, adding that there will be financial losses, but this is not as important as loss of credibility.

Such sudden decisions will affect the country’s credibility among tour operators abroad who “expressed this when we told them about the hike”.

Areish pointed out that this is not the first time that sudden decisions have been taken which affected the industry.

“Raising the entry fees four years ago and the sales tax on hotels from 8 per cent to 16 per cent were shocking decisions as well,” he noted, adding that contracts have been already signed with tour operators abroad and any extra fee will be paid by the offices in Jordan.

Areish stressed that he does not object to raising visa fees, but to the “sudden decision”.

The decision prompted Jose Sleeba, director of Royal Omania Tours in India, to cancel trips he had organised to Jordan.

Sleeba, who annually brings thousands of Indian tourists to Jordan and Israel, will cancel a tourist group’s one night stay in Jordan and take them straight to Israel.

The tour operator told The Jordan Times over the phone that he cannot afford to pay the extra rate for thousands of tourists, and called on the Jordanian government to revisit its decision.

Although Jordan Tourism Board Director General Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat said the decision was justified, he said the government should have informed tour operators in advance or there should have been a grace period so that they could “handle the issue”.

Arabiyat explained that the decision seeks to encourage tourists to stay in Jordan for longer period of time as “tourist groups who stay for 24 hours or less in Jordan pay visa fees, but those who stay for 48 hours or more do not have to pay for a visa”.

“We want to encourage them to prolong their stay as they do not have to pay the fees for long periods,” he said, noting that the majority of tourist groups come to Jordan for a night and leave for Israel where they spend several days.

In response to the reaction against the decision, the Cabinet might give a grace period to tour operators, a senior government official told The Jordan Times on condition of anonymity.

AMMAN — The US embassy is organising a play titled “The Meeting” on Wednesday to highlight the role of non-violence in achieving social change.

 The play, which will be performed at 7:30pm at the Terra Sancta Theatre in Jabal Luweibdeh, takes the audience through an imaginary encounter at a Harlem hotel between two of the pre-eminent US Civil Rights leaders: Martin Luther King Jr.

and Malcolm X.

 The actors, John Jelks and Russell Jones, will also conduct workshops in Maan, Aqaba, Tafileh and Zarqa during their visit to Jordan, according to an embassy statement.

The play, written by Jeff Stetson, has been performed throughout the US and Europe.

KARAK — The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) on Monday launched the second showroom of the Charity Clothing Bank in Southern Mazar District.

The mobile showroom, which will remain in the area for two days, will provide free clothing, shoes and toys for underprivileged families.

Launched by the JHCO last October, the clothing bank provides underprivileged families with items donated by individuals, companies and organisations.

AMMAN — Jordan’s peacekeeping contingent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Commander Lt. Col. Mohammad Ghadayreh on Sunday received Lt. Gen. Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz, commander of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo, according to a Jordan Armed Forces statement released Monday.

Cruz commended the good reputation of the Jordanian contingent, their kindness to the local residents and their competence in performing their duties.

AMMAN — HH Princess Dana Firas and Higher Youth Council President Sami Majali on Monday discussed ways to boost cooperation between the council and the Petra National Trust (PNT).

During a visit to the council, the princess, who is the vice-president of the PNT board, presented a briefing on the PNT, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

She highlighted the PNT’s interest in cooperating with the youth council’s centres in Petra and the possibility of utilising their facilities for training purposes.

AMMAN — Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communication Mohammad Momani and Bahrain’s Minister for Information Affairs Samira Ibrahim Bin Rajab on Monday discussed means to boost media cooperation.

Commending the ongoing cooperation between the two countries, Bin Rajab expressed her country’s interest in benefiting from Jordan’s experience in implementing media strategy.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, she commended Jordan’s openness and freedom in light of regional and international developments.

AMMAN — Irbid Public Security Department (PSD) personnel have arrested a suspect who had seven artefacts dating back 2,000 years, the PSD said Monday.

Investigators monitored the suspect after receiving information that he was in possession of these items and intended to sell them.

Department of Antiquities experts examined the relics and determined that they were authentic.