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AMMAN — The potential for generating money from garbage is “huge” in Jordan, as several international companies have shown interest in investing in projects to turn waste into energy, officials said Thursday.

Officials called for facilitating more investments and public-private partnerships to enable the implementation of projects that turn waste into energy, thus creating jobs, preserving the environment and making profits.

In Jordan, each individual generates one kilogramme of solid waste every day, while 16,000 tonnes of solid waste are generated daily throughout the country.

“Many companies from Brazil, the US, Germany and France... come to us to invest in our waste to produce energy,” Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji said Thursday at a meeting held by EDAMA Association under the theme: “Waste to Energy: Challenges and Opportunities”.

“We want Amman to be a model when it comes to turning waste into energy… such projects will play a key role in creating jobs,” said Biltaji at the meeting, held with the support of USAID and ECO Consult.

Edama — Arabic for sustainability — is a local business association that seeks “innovative solutions for energy and water independence and productivity”, according to its website.

Highlighting the potential for business in this field, EDAMA Association CEO Hala Zawati said: “Jordan is a very poor country when it comes to resources, but in terms of waste, Jordan has plenty,” noting that this can be turned into an advantage.

About 32 companies have submitted bids to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to implement projects to generate energy from waste in the country’s 17 landfills, participants at the meeting said, calling for speeding up efforts to decide on these projects.

Official figures indicate that around 2.13 million tonnes of waste, and 18,000 tonnes of medical and hazardous materials, are generated annually in Jordan, according to experts and workers in the field, who say that waste increases by 3 per cent in Jordan every year.

Raouf Dabbas, senior adviser to the Ministry of Environment, said no significant efforts have been made in Jordan recently to tap into the potential in this regard.

“Management of waste and projects using waste to make energy help in supporting green economies. Clean energy and good money can come out of landfills, and the government needs to do more in this regard,” said Dabbas.

Hussein Mheidat, head of the local communities council at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, said a strategy is being drafted on how best to use the country’s 17 landfills and manage solid waste.

The strategy, which will include detailed procedures, is expected to be ready before the end of this year, he noted.

AMMAN — What started out as a boy on a bicycle trying to make a living by selling goods from Hebron and Jericho to customers in Amman has grown into a business that is now over 60 years old.

To this day, employees at the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank of Jordan continue to frequent the shop that Mohammad Ghanem opened decades ago opposite the ministry building on Salt Street near the capital’s Abdali neighbourhood.

“At the age of 18, my father used to bring his goods from Hebron and later from Jericho and sold them in Amman using his bicycle. He also used to travel between Palestine and Amman on his trusty bicycle,” said Khaled, who now runs the Maliah (finance) Store with his brother Hussein.

Khaled recalled that Al Bashir Hospital was located in the new building of the Central Bank of Jordan.

“He [Mohammad] used to sell items to the hospital staff and visitors,” he recounted.

After the situation in Palestine flared up in 1948, the Hebron-born Mohammad shifted to Amman while his parents went to live in Jericho.

“Although he moved to Amman, he kept going back to Palestine to check on his parents and obtain goods from there,” Khaled told The Jordan Times in a recent interview.

When Mohammad’s parents decided to settle in Amman a few years later, he resorted to the capital’s “Souk Sukkar” to buy his goods.

In 1951, he rented his first store, gaining popularity among the area’s residents.

The experience encouraged him to move to larger premises in 1979, which is still a popular destination for customers, where they can now find sandwiches, groceries, medicines and the unique sense of humour of Khaled and Hussein.

Yousef Abu Arab, who used to buy his favourite sandwich from their father, said the two brothers have a certain charisma that encourages customers to keep coming back.

“Khaled always sings while making sandwiches,” he said.

Alaa Abu Ayyash, who works at the Ministry of Finance, said the two brothers are “kind” to their clients.

“If customers do not have enough money to pay, they let them take what they need and give them enough time to settle the bill later,” he said.

Ahmad Shqairat, a public sector employee, described the grocery as a “small mall”.

“You can find whatever you want and they can prepare any kind of sandwich for you,” he noted.

Mohammad had expanded the business beyond groceries, to include sandwiches and medicines.

“Mortadella is among the items we sell. Many customers used to bring bread and buy mortadella to make a sandwich, so my father began getting bread from the nearby bakery and making sandwiches at the store,” Khaled said, adding that his father also let customers make their own sandwiches at the store and offered salad to go with it.

Most of the grocery’s customers used to have their breakfast at the store and then go to work.

The two brothers are working hard to keep this tradition alive.

“This is why we are still a favourite with the employees... we prepare anything they want to have for breakfast,” added Hussein.

Although their annual rent has increased under the Landlords and Tenants Law from JD1,900 to JD3,300, the two brothers are determined to keep their family’s legacy alive.

“We did not get rid of the bicycle because it reminds me of my father and the early days of the store,” said Hussein, who used his father’s bicycle for 10 years.

AMMAN — The director of Maan Education Directorate, Mohammad Qeesho, was assaulted on Thursday by angry Tawjihi students who were demonstrating outside the directorate, according to an Education Ministry official.

General Secondary Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) students were protesting against Education Ministry measures to introduce stricter regulations to the exams, Education Ministry Spokesperson Walid Jallad said.

Around 50 students from Maan city, some 220km south of Amman, participated in the protest outside the directorate, Public Security Department (PSD) Spokesperson Major Amer Sartawi noted.

Sartawi said Qeesho is in fair condition.

He is currently receiving medical treatment at Maan Public Hospital, according to Jallad.

“Students were angry because the ministry is taking strict measures to regulate the exams. For example, they asked that the ministry re-include objective questions in the exams,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The Tawjihi winter session results are not ready yet, Jallad stressed, adding that the ministry is still verifying the marks.

“We call on students not to believe what some websites are writing about the results being ready and that they will publish them online,” he said.

“The ministry is the only authorised party to announce the results,” he added, noting that no specific date has been set to release the results.

Meanwhile, around 30 students gathered outside the main traffic light in Salt city in the Kingdom’s northern region, some 35km northwest of Amman, also in protest against the ministry’s procedures, according to the PSD.

Around 170,969 students registered for the winter session, including 89,286 males and 81,683 females, of whom 106,684 are regular students, according to the Education Ministry.

In previous remarks, Education Minister Mohammad Thneibat said around 24,000 registered students did not sit for the winter session exam, during which some 6,000 violations were recorded.

In order to avoid a repeat of the “flagrant” violations witnessed in previous sessions, the ministry took strict measures this year, such as appointing 24,000 monitors and installing special devices to jam mobile reception, thus foiling attempts to cheat through cellular phones.

These procedures cost the government around JD26 million.

Students’ Tawjihi grades decide their future in higher education. It is the main criterion to determine which specialty in which they can major, at which public university they can enrol and whether they are qualified to go to university.

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday received a $2.7 million grant from the Montreal Fund to support phasing out the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), substances that damage the ozone layer.

Under the third phase of a national project that seeks to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, five companies manufacturing air conditioners and cooling systems that use HCFCs will be supported to replace the harmful substances with environment-friendly materials and technologies.

“Under the third stage, a total of 500 tonnes of HCFCs will be phased out at five companies manufacturing central cooling systems and air conditioners,” Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir said during a ceremony to launch the project’s third phase.

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol is financing the Kingdom’s strategy to get rid of 1,500 tonnes of chemical materials by the year 2020, according to the Ministry of Environment.

The strategy’s first phase aims at reducing 20 per cent of HCFCs by the year 2017 by replacing central cooling systems using the substance, banning the import of home appliances that use the harmful mixture of gases and powering air conditioning systems with solar power.

“Phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances will raise the calibre of Jordanian industries, increase their competitiveness in the international market, improve the quality of products, raise their energy efficiency and reduce the electricity bill,” Shakhshir said.

Jordan is signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

Ghazi Odat, director of the Environment Ministry’s ozone project, said that over 100 industries manufacture air conditioners, central cooling systems and other products that use 1,000 tonnes of HCFCs.

“More phases of the project will be launched in the future to reach a point where none of the industries use ozone-depleting chemicals,” Odat told The Jordan Times.

With 75 per cent of refrigerants being released into the atmosphere and causing depletion of the ozone layer, environmentalists and researchers call for strengthening laws that govern the import, export and use of ozone-depleting chemicals.

Scientists estimate that a 1 per cent decrease in the ozone layer’s thickness would lead to a 1.3 per cent increase in the volume of ultraviolet rays reaching the Earth, an increase which they say poses serious consequences for human beings, fauna and flora.

AMMAN — Lawmakers plan to question officials from the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) next week as “new information” surfaced regarding a lawsuit against the agency, an MP said.

Head of the Integrity Committee, MP Mustafa Rawashdeh, told The Jordan Times on Wednesday that the case will be discussed behind closed doors in details with the SSIF executives.

Last year, a Qatari company claimed it bought the fund’s stake in one of the country’s leading commercial banks and filed an arbitration case with a Swiss court as the Jordanian side allegedly did not honour the agreement.

“Our information is from internal sources,” he said, describing the new data as “substantial”.

He stopped short of divulging more details on the case, which triggered public outcry when it was revealed by the new SSIF chief, Suleiman Hafez, in a move praised by observers as “transparent”.

The former head of the fund, Yasser Odwan, denied he signed any deal to sell the stake, but a local news website published recently what it said were documents proving that there was exchange of letters between the two entities signed by Odwan.

The Qatari investor requested the SSIF to pay over JD93 million for failing to implement its part in the alleged agreement to sell its stake in The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance.

Hafez said in his statement that the fund was “surprised” to receive an e-mail on November 13, 2013 and a registered mail 10 days later with a hard copy of the subpoena to attend arbitration in a court in Zurich, Switzerland.

A deputy who spoke on condition of anonymity said Wednesday: “We should have sent this file to the Prosecutor General,” charging that the SSIF has seen mismanagement or corrupt behaviour since its inception.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday met with US Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, DC and discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly peace efforts and the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King and Biden discussed “strategic ties between Jordan and the US” and means to develop them at all levels, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Monarch continued his meetings with key members of the US Congress on Tuesday, during which talks covered regional developments and means to boost bilateral ties to best serve the interests of the two countries.

King Abdullah, accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein, met separately with Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner and leaders of the Republican Party and then with the chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ed Royce, along with the panel members.

Discussions focused on efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East and US efforts in this area. The King underlined Jordan’s commitment to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that protects its interests and strategic priorities, especially when it comes to final status issues.

His Majesty stressed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel is a regional and global interest to bring about peace and foster security and stability in the region based on the two-state solution and the international resolutions, particularly the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

They also discussed the latest developments in Syria, with His Majesty reiterating the Kingdom’s stand in support of a comprehensive political solution to the crisis that ends the bloodshed and suffering of Syrians, and preserves the unity and cohesion of their country.

King Abdullah called on the international community to support Jordan’s relief efforts targeting Syrian refugees, who are placing a “huge” burden on the Kingdom’s scarce resources and affecting the quality of life in host communities, including infrastructure, health and education aspects.

On the other hand, the Monarch reviewed achievements realised under Jordan’s comprehensive reform drive aimed to enhance public participation in the decision-making process and push the development process forward.

Talks also covered challenges facing the region and means to overcome them in a way that ensures security and stability for its people, with focus on efforts exerted to combat terrorism and extremism, and entrench the concepts of tolerance and coexistence, according to the statement.

For their part, the lawmakers voiced their appreciation for the King’s efforts to bring about comprehensive peace, in addition to Jordan’s endeavours to provide humanitarian services to Syrian refugees.

They underlined their commitment to continued coordination with the Monarch over regional issues and stressed the need to support Jordan economically to help it face difficulties arising from the refugee influx.

In a statement issued by Boehner, he said the meeting was fruitful and that discussions covered a number of crucial issues, especially in relation to fighting all forms of terrorism and extremism that threaten the stability of the Middle East. 

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a set of measures aiming at stimulating the economy to expand “green technology” investments.

During a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Council of Ministers approved a recommendation by its Economic Development Committee to set up a regulatory unit at the Environment Ministry to follow up on national policies and executive programmes related to green investments.

The unit will be run by a higher steering committee headed by the environment minister.

The Cabinet also approved another recommendation to exempt the national centre for agricultural and chemical tests from fees and taxes as stipulated in the Investment Law.

The ministers agreed to form a technical committee, headed by the secretary general of the Environment Ministry, to follow up on and provide consultations over the planned Zarqa Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The Cabinet endorsed the draft 2014 amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law to be sent to the Lower House.

Also during the meeting, the Council of Ministers named Jordan’s Ambassador to Russia Ziad Majali as the Kingdom’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Ukraine.

The ministers also decided to approve a request by the Greater Amman Municipality to purchase snow sweepers and several other vehicles to deal with harsh weather conditions, exempting them from customs duties and sales tax.

AMMAN –– Toyota’s dealer in Jordan said on Wednesday that around 100 Prius hybrid cars sold through the agency are affected by a fault that could cause the vehicle to suddenly slow down.

Toyota Motors on Wednesday announced plans to conduct voluntary safety recalls of approximately 1.9 million model year 2010-2014 Prius vehicles worldwide.

The company, a global leader in the production of environment-friendly cars, said in a statement on its website that it would update the motor engine control unit (ECU) and hybrid control ECU software on 2010-2014 Prius vehicles.

Nadim Haddad, the marketing and sales manager at the Central Trade and Auto Company (CTA), Toyota`s agent in the Kingdom, said the problem is in the software used to control the power converter.

Haddad told The Jordan Times that only specific cars in Jordan with certain vehicle identification numbers are affected by the fault, estimating the number of such vehicles sold through CTA at around 100.

However, he said, there might be a number of vehicles affected by the fault that were sold by individual importers and traders.

“We have a list of the cars sold and the contact details of the clients,” Haddad said, adding that the owners will be contacted when software updates are available at the agency.

The software updates might be available by early next week, he said, noting that owners of vehicles –– both CTA customers and those who bought the cars via individuals –– will receive a software update free of charge.

CTA will make an announcement once the software is available to urge owners to visit the agency to have the software installed, Haddad added.

The Japanese motor giant said no accidents have been reported as a result of the defect.

According to Agence France-Presse, the recall covers about 997,000 vehicles in Japan and 713,000 vehicles in North America. Most of the remainder are in Europe, the Middle East and China.

The company recalled Prius models last year and in 2010 for different problems, but Wednesday’s announcement marked the largest call-back for a car that Toyota has bet will lead a greater move to green cars, AFP said.

Launched in 1997, the Toyota Prius is the world’s first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car.

Official figures estimate the number of hybrid cars in Jordan at around 30,000, the majority of which are Prius, as the car is gaining popularity among Jordanian motorists due to its fuel efficiency.

AMMAN — The 2014 Four Freedoms Medal for Freedom of Worship will be awarded to HRH Prince Hassan on May 24 in Middelburg, The Netherlands, Han Polman, the chairman of the Roosevelt Foundation, announced on Wednesday.

“Throughout his life,” Prince Hassan “has been dedicated to the improvement of mutual understanding between the Islamic and Western worlds, and enhancing dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews,” said a statement from the prince’s office.

He has initiated, founded and is actively involved in a number of local and international institutes and committees that promote interfaith dialogue and human dignity.

The prince has co-chaired the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues and is currently the chairman of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and the Foundation for Inter-religious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, the statement said.

He is also chair emeritus of the World Conference of Religions for Peace.

In 2013 he was appointed as chairman of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.

Previous recipients of the Freedom of Worship Medal include Desmond Tutu, Teddy Kollek, Nasr H. Abu Zayd, Terry Waite and Karen Armstrong.

“The Four Freedoms Medals are presented each year to men and women whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to the principles which [US] President [Franklin D.] Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech to Congress on January 6, 1941,” the statement said.

In this speech, he said that if democracy is to survive and flourish, people everywhere in the world are entitled to four human rights: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

The Roosevelt Foundation in Middelburg and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in New York work “to inspire people to promote these four freedoms everywhere in the world”.

The Four Freedoms Awards ceremony takes place in Middelburg in the even years and in New York in the odd years, according to the statement.