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AMMAN — Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan Hamad Saleh Al Duaij was recovering at a hospital on Sunday following a traffic accident on the Amman-Zarqa highway a day earlier, according to Civil Defence Department (CDD) and embassy officials.

“We were informed that the ambassador’s condition is fine but we still do not know when he will be discharged from hospital,” an embassy official told The Jordan Times.

A trailer hit the ambassador’s car from the rear near Jawad Bakery at 9:50pm on Saturday, a CDD official said.

“The impact caused the ambassador’s car to slam into two other vehicles,” the CDD official told The Jordan Times.

Four Jordanians in the two vehicles that were hit by the ambassador’s car were injured in the accident and rushed to Prince Hamzah Hospital where they were listed in fair condition, the CDD official explained.

The CDD took the ambassador to the Arab Medical Centre in Amman, he added.

A CDD statement said that the Kuwaiti envoy was returning from the Zaatari Refugee Camp “following a humanitarian mission”.

A senior traffic official told The Jordan Times that a traffic committee is investigating the accident.

AMMAN — The general union for workers in the electricity sector on Saturday condemned an assault on a Jordan Electricity Company employee while on duty.

The worker, Tayel Huneiti, was delivering an electricity bill to a house when four people attacked him, according to the union, which noted that Huneiti was admitted to hospital.

The union called on security apparatuses to intervene to stop such “frequent” incidents.

AMMAN — The Jordan Teachers Association (JTA) on Saturday held a demonstration outside the Prime Ministry on Saturday in protest against the new civil service bylaw.

JTA Spokesperson Hussam Masheh said the activity is part of a series of escalatory measures the syndicate is planning to take to protest against amendments to the bylaw, which he described as “unfair” and harmful to job security for public sector employees, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

In earlier remarks, the JTA said the law violates the rights of middle-and low-income employees, especially teachers, as it entails delaying annual incentives and promotions.

Under the bylaw, employees need around 37 years of service to be classified under the “first category”, which enables them to enjoy certain benefits.

ZARQA — The first shipment of aid from a Saudi-based initiative for solidarity with the Syrian people and to support the Jordanian host community arrived at the Ghabawi warehouses on Saturday.

Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz, the general supervisor of the “Nulabbi Al Nidaa” (we answer the call) initiative, said Jordan and Saudi Arabia work together to support Syrian refugees and underprivileged Jordanian families.

According to Bremeh Tueimi, the field coordinator of the initiative in Jordan, the 13-truck shipment contains dates, medical supplies, blankets and food.

Another 68 trucks will arrive within a week, and the aid will be delivered in cooperation with official Jordanian entities and charity associations.

AMMAN — Nadeem Al Zaro, a former minister, died on Friday.

Zaro, who was born in Ramallah in 1931, assumed several ministerial posts during his career.

He was interior minister in the government of Bahjat Talhouni in 1970 and a transport minister in Ahmad Lozi’s Cabinet.

He also served as transport minister in the first government of Zeid Rifai in 1973.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour expressed his condolences to Zaro’s family.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Saturday congratulated Radio Jordan on the occasion of its 55th anniversary.

The premier said in a phone interview with Radio Jordan that the station is still “the voice of the country”.

He added that there are many challenges now due to the immense competition among radio stations, which means people have many alternatives and can listen to hundreds of stations through their mobile phones.

AMMAN — Japan will grant Jordan 686,200,000 yen (around JD4.76 million) to build a new museum in the ancient city of Petra, under an agreement signed on Saturday.

The new museum is scheduled to be inaugurated in 2016, according to a Japanese embassy statement.

The 1,800-square-metre museum will showcase historical and archaeological artefacts discovered in the Petra region, and raise the local community’s awareness on protecting both the tangible and intangible heritage of Petra, the statement said.

“We are very much confident that this museum will also contribute to the community development in Petra region,” said Japanese Ambassador Junicho Kosuge, who signed the agreement with Planning Minister Ibrahim Saif.

AMMAN — Jordan on Saturday marked the 58th anniversary of the Arabisation of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).

In 1956, His Majesty King Hussein Arabised the high command of the JAF through the removal of British officers, particularly Lt. Gen. John Bagot Glubb, the British commander of the Arab Legion.

In March 1957, the Anglo-Jordanian Agreement was abrogated, followed by the evacuation of British forces from the Kingdom.

On the occasion, His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein received cables of congratulations from senior officials and officers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN –– A group of economists has agreed to form a team to draft a development strategy for Jordan’s economy for 2014-2022.

They made the announcement at a session, organised by the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organisation (TAG-Org) to talk about the need for a long-term strategy for the Kingdom’s economy.

Senator Jawad Anani was the keynote speaker at the session, which was attended by government officials, MPs and economists, according to a TAG-Org statement issued on Saturday.

Anani said that in addition to long-term policies, Jordan needs a short-term strategy to deal with current regional issues, particularly the Syrian crisis and the Middle East peace talks.

He stressed the importance of speeding up the implementation of the oil pipeline between Basra in Iraq and the port city of Aqaba to address energy woes in Jordan. 

Jordanian and Iraqi officials have been engaged in talks to build the $18 billion pipeline, projected to export 2.25 million barrels of oil per day through the Kingdom.

Once implemented, the pipeline will secure Jordan’s oil needs of 120,000-150,000 barrels a day.

“Economic growth remained slow in 2013 and it is vital now to look at the future and overcome the bad management of the country’s main resources,” Anani was quoted as saying in the session, which was held late last week.

The 330,000 students currently studying at university represent a wreal challenge for Jordan in terms of securing employment for them upon graduation, the former Royal Court chief said, adding that Jordan needs qualified young people to build the economy.

He urged policy makers to draft plans for 2022 to address issues related to energy, water, education, unemployment, investments and governorate development.

AMMAN — Ernst & Young Jordan (EY) has invited entrepreneurs from different sectors in the country to take part in its Entrepreneur of the Year programme, which helps winners network and build valuable relationships with peers and mentors across the world.

Those wishing to apply can obtain nominations by sending an e-mail to jordan.eoy@jo.ey.com. 

The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, Waddah Barkawi, partner at EY Jordan and Entrepreneur of the Year country leader for Jordan, said on Saturday.

Entrepreneurs in all sectors are eligible to compete for the programme, Barkawi told The Jordan Times.

“The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme aims to recognise the vision, imagination and accomplishments of these inspiring men and women by celebrating the most exceptional among them,” he added. 

“The programme is now held annually in 145 cities across 60 countries, and is considered the first and only truly global award of its kind.”

To be eligible for consideration, Entrepreneur of the Year category candidates must be entrepreneurs who have maintained professional success over a sustained period of time; be owners and founders of a business that has been in operation for a minimum of five years; be directly responsible for their company’s daily operations and success; and have a significant equity shareholding in their organisation, which should employ at least 30 people and be making a profit. 

In turn, Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year category candidates must have brought a new innovative idea to the market; be owners/founders of a business that enjoys stable financing; be directly responsible for their company’s daily operations and success; have a significant equity shareholding in their enterprise; and run a firm that has been in operation for over two years and employs a minimum of 10 employees. 

For both categories, the business must be based in Jordan, or originated from the Kingdom, or have its headquarters or operations in the country. 

A new category was introduced this year for the EY Family Business Award of Excellence, according to Barkawi.

The finalists of the first two categories will be announced in mid-March, and the winners will be announced in April alongside the recipient of the EY Family Business Award of Excellence, he said.

The winners will join an “elite global alumni network” and gain access to EY industry events and activities, Barkawi added.

“The programme provides them with a platform to talk openly to other entrepreneurs, judges and business leaders from all sectors and backgrounds, and establish contacts that benefit their companies,” he said.

“The winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year category will also represent Jordan at the World Entrepreneur of the Year event in Monte Carlo, which is scheduled to take place in June 2014.”

About 60 country winners from across the globe will compete for this title.

“Entrepreneurs are behind many of the world’s most dynamic and successful high-growth businesses, introducing products, services and best practices that drive innovation, shape market trends, create jobs and contribute to economic growth in their countries,” Barkawi stressed.