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• New tax law to boost fairness, efficiency in property valuation
• Gov’t greenlights nationwide EV charging network to drive green transition

AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday approved a project to develop residential land in high-density areas facing service challenges to provide state-owned land with fully developed infrastructure, improve public services and offer affordable housing solutions.

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDC) will oversee the project after registering the land in its name. The first phase will cover selected areas in Zarqa, Karak, and Maan, with plans for future expansion, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Under the plan, one-dunum plots will be sold at a 50 per cent discount to their administrative value, while larger plots will be priced at full administrative value. To ease the financial burden, the government will offer interest-free instalment plans with a repayment period of up to 10 years.

The initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth and create jobs, particularly in construction, infrastructure, and services. It aligns with the Kingdom’s Economic Modernisation Vision, aiming to enhance living standards and boost key sectors.

The Cabinet also approved the 2025 buildings and tax draft law, which seeks to modernise and automate property tax procedures, enhancing efficiency in valuation, collection, and dispute resolution. 

The draft law aims to ensure fairness in tax assessments by factoring in property type (residential, industrial, commercial, or agricultural), market value, and actual land use. 

Taxpayers will benefit from deductions for depreciation, disuse, and land utilisation levels rather than full market value taxation. Additionally, an incentive programme will grant increased exemptions to those who pay their taxes within the first three months of the year. The reforms also promote green building construction, heritage site preservation and industrial and renewable energy development on vacant land.

In the judicial sector, the Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Law on the Establishment of Regular Courts, expanding the jurisdiction of the Economic Chamber to cover all first-instance courts beyond Amman, aligning with the Justice Sector Strategic Plan 2022-2026 to improve judicial efficiency.

The Cabinet also approved a regulatory framework for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, a key step in Jordan’s transition to clean energy. The framework supports the expansion of EV charging stations across the Kingdom, with companies assessing demand and ensuring system readiness. 

The Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO) will set quality standards, while the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission will oversee electricity connections to charging stations.

To enhance agro-industrial capacity, the Cabinet approved the Ministry of Agriculture’s lease of the International Diamonds Industrial Zone in the Jordan Valley for food processing factories. This is part of a broader strategy to establish an agro-industrial zone promoting food security and sustainability.

Additionally, the Cabinet allocated land in Aqaba for two new agricultural projects: a 6,337-dunum date palm farm and a 1,000-dunum high-value crops project. Both projects, expected to be completed within three years, aim to create jobs and support local agriculture.

In water infrastructure, the Cabinet approved a $7.5 million grant from Korea to rehabilitate water networks in Jerash, improving supply sustainability and promoting water conservation.

The Council of Minister also approved electricity provision for the Partners for Investment Hotel in Wadi Musa, Maan, supporting the tourism sector, sustainability, and local employment.

Additionally, Jordan’s Digital Inclusion Policy for 2025 was approved to bridge the digital divide, enhance access to technology and support SMEs in the digital economy.

On the international front, the Cabinet endorsed revisions to the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement with Saudi Arabia, aligning investment standards with international practices and encouraging cross-border investment.

During the session, the Minister of Finance briefed the Council of Ministers on Jordan’s credit rating, recently reaffirmed by Standard & Poor’s with a stable outlook. 

The minister highlighted that the rating will attract foreign investment, boost investor confidence and improve Jordan’s access to financing at favourable rates.

The Cabinet also approved the retirement of Director General of the Social Security Corporation Mohammad Tarawneh upon reaching the statutory retirement age.

AMMAN — Judge Nayef Samarat was sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday as chief attorney general. 

President of the Judicial Council Mahmoud Ababneh and Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi attended the swearing-in, held at Al Husseiniya Palace.

AMMAN — In the presence of HRHBasma Bint Talal, chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Goodwill Campaign,implemented by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), the campaign on Monday signed a cooperation agreement with the Industrial Cities Investors Association in Irbid.

The agreement, signed by JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani and association President Imad Naddaf, focuses on enhancingcooperation between the campaign and the association by creating job opportunities for beneficiaries in the industrial sector. 

It seeks to align training programmes with labour market needs, equipping unemployed young men and women with the necessary skills to secure employment in Irbid’s industrial sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Princess Basma highlighted the importance of sustaining the partnership, which has facilitated employment in the Al Hassan Industrial City since 2013, helping to reduce unemployment and improve living standards in local communities. 

The princess underscored the significance of social responsibility in encouraging factories and investors to engage with the campaign’s initiatives, particularly in empowering women and increasing their economic participation.

She noted that the campaign remains committed to supporting vulnerable families, especially those headed by women, through both immediate aid and long-term programmes that foster social solidarity and volunteer work. 

Princess Basma also stressed the campaign’s role in funding productive projects that enable women to work from home, helping them become self-reliant and financially independent.

Daghistani said that JOHUD will enhance its employment office model by enhancing follow-up mechanisms, ensuring employer compliance, and implementing training and awareness programmes to improve workplace efficiency. 

She also stressed the importance of breaking stereotypes about women working in factories while ensuring a safe and supportive work environment.

Naddaf highlighted the "longstanding"partnership between JOHUD and the association, which has successfully connected job seekers with industrial employers over the past 12 years. 

The new agreement, he said, will further support the campaign’s initiatives, with factories in Al Hassan Industrial City set to offer some 1,000 new job opportunities for young people in Irbid within two months.

Naddaf also reaffirmed the industrial sector’s appreciation for the support provided by His Majesty King Abdullah, citing his directives to encourage investment, streamline procedures and attract investors.

During her visit, Princess Basma launched the Goodwill Campaign’s Ramadan initiatives in Irbid. 

At Umm Salma Elementary School, she met with women-headed families and participated in distributing aid and food parcels to 200 underprivileged families in the Turkmanneighbourhood. 

She also presented Eid gifts and clothing to 100 orphaned children.

At the Nobles Charitable Society, the princessannounced support for a local handicrafts, embroidery, and shemagh hemming project. 

She also extended assistance for four home-based production initiatives led by women, calling for their integration into JOHUD’s Women’s Empowerment Programme to further benefit from its resources.

• Seed bank aims to store plants’ genetic data to preserve genetic diversity, ensure sustainability of food security
• Bank includes state-of-the-art laboratories, old seed samples, oldest of which dates back to 1927

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the National Seed Bank, affiliated with the National Agricultural Research Centre in Ain Al Basha, Balqa. 

The seed bank aims to store plants’ genetic data to preserve genetic diversity and ensure sustainability of agriculture and food security for future generations, a Royal Court statement said. 

His Majesty toured the seed bank and was briefed on how it seeks to improve the quality of seeds to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector and the production of new varieties.

The National Seed Bank includes state-of-the-art laboratories and old seed samples, the oldest of which dates back to 1927, to serve researchers and academics at universities and scientific research centres specialised in agricultural research and development.

 It aims to support agriculture in countering the effects of climate change, water scarcity, growing populations, and disruptions to global food systems and food supply chains by preserving crop diversity, and providing healthy and sustainable food, according to the seed bank’s acting director, Khaled Abu Hammour, the statement said. 

The National Seed Bank has seed storage rooms, drying, processing and testing facilities, and a storage capacity of 50,000 samples. Its cryogenic technology helps extend the viability of seeds from 10 years to 100 years in some plant species, ensuring continued agricultural life for generations to come. 

The seed bank was established at a cost of nearly JD3.8 million, including JD3 million in funding from the Hashemite University.

The seed bank was established as an extension of the seed storage unit created in 1993 at theNational Agricultural Research Centre, in line with the National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture (2022-2025) and National Food Security Strategy, which is within the Economic Modernisation Vision for Jordan’s agriculture sector, according to the statement. 

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat, and President of the Hashemite University Khaled Hyari attended the inauguration. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday visited Waqf Thareed, a charitable initiative located next to the Grand Al Husseini Mosque in downtown Amman. 

Waqf Thareed provides nutritious free meals through distribution centres, in line with the Sunnah, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

His Majesty was briefed by Waqf Thareed Supervisor HRH Prince Hashim bin Al Hussein on the charitable endowment, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Royal Highness, who was accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Al Hussein bin Hashim and Prince Al Hassan bin Hashim, noted that since last Ramadan, noted that since last Ramadan, Waqf Thareed has distributed more than 319,000 meals in Jordan with the help of over 2,800 volunteers representing various nationalities. 

Prince Hashim added that Waqf Thareed has provided more than 3.5 million meals to people in Gaza, in cooperation with the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, the statement said. 

He also noted that Waqf Thareed is officially registered with the Sharia Court and all its activities are subject to monitoring and auditing in accordance with national legislation, and is committed to achieving social justice and distributing meals in line with humanitarian values.

Speaking about Waqf Thareed’s future projects, Prince Hashim highlighted plans to establish two new distribution centres once the necessary funding, estimated at JD3.5 million for each centre, is secured. 

He also noted that the initiative has developed partnerships with government and private organisations inside and outside the Kingdom. Funding contributions to date have exceeded JD5.5 million, while cash in addition to in-kind donations exceeded JD11 million. 

For his part, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Waqf Thareed Walid Tahabsem briefed His Majesty on the mechanism to distribute the meals.

The King then visited the Grand Al Husseini Mosque, and was briefed on the fourth Hashemite reconstruction of the mosque, which His Majesty ordered in 2019 following a fire.

His Majesty was briefed by Awqaf Minister Mohammad Khalaileh on the expansion and construction works, which included covering the inner courtyard of the mosque with a glass roof, Islamic geometric decoration of the facades, and safety equipment, while ensuring the preservation of the mosque’s heritage and identity. 

The King joined the worshippers in performing the maghreb prayer at the mosque. 

His Majesty was accompanied by Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh. 

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Monday hosted an iftar at Al Husseiniya Palace for the fourth cohort of Al Hussein Fellowship, a Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) programme that trains young leaders.

In conversations with the participants, His Royal Highness stressed the importance of building on the skills they gained during their participation in the programme and implementing them on the ground, a Royal Court statement said. 

Al Hussein Fellowship programme, launched by the CPF in 2020, aims to instil modern leadership skills among youth from all regions of the Kingdom by engaging them in training programmes, in collaboration with international and local partners in the fields of leadership, politics, economics, and social issues, according to the statement. 

Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain, CPF Chairman Ghassan Nuqul, CPF CEO Tamam Mango, and a number of CPF board members attended the iftar. 

AMMAN — Jordan condemned Israel's decision to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip on Monday as a "blatant violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which protects civilians during times of war."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah described the Israeli action as a dangerous escalation in its ongoing policy of starvation and blockade against the Palestinian people, according to a ministry statement.

The official also stressed that the decision to cut electricity, particularly amid ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid, directly violates the ceasefire agreement and risks further destabilising the already dire situation in Gaza.

Qudah also called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to uphold the ceasefire, restore electricity to Gaza and reopen the crossings to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid. He also underscored the urgent need for immediate intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the besieged Strip.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday approved draft amendments to the 2024 Labour Law, with a majority voting in favour of key provisions, including adjustments to workers' benefits and protections.

The decision was taken during a session chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi and attended by Prime Minister Jaafar Hasan and other government officials, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

One of the most notable changes is the reversal of a controversial provision that allowed employers to lay off up to 5 per cent of their workforce annually without the approval of the Ministry of Labour. Other revisions focus on improving worker rights, particularly in areas such as sick leave, maternity leave, and childcare.

Among the key amendments, Article 9 received approval, amending the original text of Article 65 to grant workers 14 days of sick leave per year with full pay. If hospitalisation or extended medical treatment is required, this leave can be extended for an additional 14 days with full pay, based on a doctor's report accredited by the institution.

Additionally, Article 10 was amended to include a new provision under Article 66, entitling workers to three days of paid leave in the event of the death of a first-degree relative.

In a move to better support female workers, the lawmakers also approved changes to Article 11, increasing maternity leave from 10 weeks to 90 consecutive days, reflecting a growing need for enhanced support for women during and after pregnancy.

In development for working parents, especially women, Article 12 now mandates that employers with 15 or more employees and at least 15 children under five years old in their workforce must provide suitable childcare facilities at no charge. 

"These facilities must be supervised by qualified nannies, and employers are encouraged to collaborate with others in the same area to offer these services."

The most debated provision, Article 8, which initially allowed employers to reduce their workforce by up to 5 per cent annually without Ministry of Labour approval, was reversed after public and parliamentary pressure. The Chamber voted to reject any layoffs without ministry consent after some lawmakers called for further discussions on the matter.

These amendments are part of a broader effort to align Jordan’s labour laws with its social security systems, including recognising occupational diseases as work-related injuries and standardising the medical assessment process for such cases to benefit workers covered by social security and those not.

The amendments also address the growing need for better protections for foreign workers in Jordan, streamline procedures for dealing with labour violations, and ensure greater compliance with labour laws.

AMMAN — The Southern Military Zone on Monday thwarted an attempt using drone to smuggle narcotics, a small drone, and remote control devices along the Kingdom's western border.  

A military source from the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF) said that “Border Guard forces in the Southern Military Zone, in cooperation with military security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department, successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle a small drone and remote control devices using another drone that attempted to cross the border.” 

The source explained that upon detecting and tracking the drones, the forces implemented engagement protocols, leading to their seizure and downing inside Jordanian territory. The confiscated items were handed over to the relevant authorities.

The source reaffirmed that the JAF remain committed to utilising all available resources and capabilities to prevent all forms of infiltration and smuggling, ensuring the security and stability of the Kingdom.

According to a recent statement to The Jordan Times, the Military Media Directorate said that there has been a noticeable shift in smuggling activities towards the southern borders of the Kingdom.

“The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, rooted in a combination of rigorous security measures, regional instability, and the ingenuity of the criminal networks involved in drug trafficking,” the directorate added.

“In response to this evolving threat, the JAF has deployed a combination of high-tech solutions and strategic military initiatives, including the use of advanced surveillance technologies such as drones and satellite systems to monitor remote border areas, allowing the military to detect smuggling attempts in real time.”