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AMMAN — HRH Princess Alia Tabbaa, chairperson of the Zaha Cultural Centre’s supervisory board, on Thursday inaugurated the centre’s 21st branch in Madaba under Royal Directives with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Local Administration Ministry and the Madaba  Municipality.

“We are fulfilling His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision that seeks to expand popular participation in developmental decision making, and its implementation, as well as the promotion of values of participation and accountability,” Local Administration Ministry Secretary General Basem Tarawneh said during the ceremony in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — President of the Senate Faisal Fayez received a copy of the 2019 annual report of human rights during his meeting on Thursday with Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Jordanian National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) Rhayel Gharaibeh, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Fayez said that the Upper House refers the annual report to its specialised committees to reach recommendations that are discussed with the government and the centre, prior to taking any necessary measures, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Gharaibeh stressed that the centre performs its duties according to “high proficiency”. 

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Thursday highlighted the importance of enhancing Jordanian-Japanese partnership in all fields, stressing the “deep-rooted historical ties” between the two countries.

During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi, Tarawneh voiced Jordan’s appreciation for Japan’s continued support and Amman’s pride in its ties with Tokyo, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The discussions covered several issues of mutual interest, mainly the Japanese role in supporting refugees and UNRWA, as well as the importance of pushing towards the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

AMMAN — President of the Jordan and Amman chambers of industry Fathi Jaghbir on Thursday expressed hope for economic relations to develop further between Jordan and Rwanda in the next phase, especially as the commercial exchange volume is “still below expectations”.

During a meeting with Rwanda’s non-resident ambassador, Williams Nkurunziza, Jaghbir called for establishing joint investments as a result of the “comparative advantages” in both countries, according to a statement by the Amman Chamber of Industry.

For his part, Nkurunziza stressed that his country, with a population of 12 million and annual imports of some $2 billion, is a “promising market” for Jordanian products. He noted that Jordanians can receive visas upon arrival at the airport in Rwanda. 

AMMAN — The family of Bandar Mahadin, 4, who had died in a road accident in Karak, on Thursday decided to donate his corneas to those who may be in need of them.

Safwan, Bandar’s father, said that the family donated the child’s organs to medical institutions, calling for more people to participate in organ donation to help others in need, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The family also announced that they had “forgiven” the driver who caused the death of their child in a run-over accident, and made a “tribal precedence” by asking the driver to bury their son. 

AMMAN — Jordan is keen on developing its relations with Slovenia in order to serve the interests of both countries and peoples, Senate President Faisal Fayez said on Thursday. 

During a meeting in which he received Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miro Cerar, Fayez said that Jordan and Slovenia “see eye-to-eye” on several issues, with the war on terrorism and extremism and finding political solutions to all Middle Eastern issues topping the list, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The region is suffering from political conflicts and crises that have affected the Kingdom greatly, the president said, noting that despite economic difficulties, Jordan continues its humanitarian efforts towards more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees within its borders.

He pointed out that the cost of hosting Syrian refugees up until the end of 2017 totalled $10.3 billion, adding that this contributed to exacerbating the Kingdom’s economic challenges and increasing the rates of debt, poverty and unemployment, especially after the international community honoured only 25 per cent of its commitments towards hosting refugees.  

Fayez also highlighted that it is important for the international community to be aware that "terrorism has no religion" and that it should be fought with organised international strategy, referring to the Kingdom’s efforts in the war against terrorism and extremism. 

The president also said that ending the Arab-Israeli conflict is the basis for solving all regional issues, and necessitates defending the Palestinian cause through just and comprehensive means according to the two-state solution and relevant international legitimacy resolutions and in a way that enables Palestinians to establish an independent state on the pre-1967 lines. 

Fayez also voiced His Majesty King Abdullah’s keenness to develop economic ties with Slovenia in all fields and sectors, calling for the creation of more economic partnerships and investment opportunities for both countries.

For his part, Cerar praised Jordan for its role in hosting a large number of refugees despite the Kingdom’s limited resources and difficult economic conditions, commending King Abdullah’s international role in realising regional peace and stability. 

Also on Thursday, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh met with the Slovenian diplomat over means of sustaining coordination and cooperation in all fields and working on activating economic partnership agreements, Petra reported. 

The meeting went over means to boost parliamentary cooperation and enhance commercial partnership, as well as regional issues, mainly the Palestinian issue and the importance of the two-state solution. 

In a separate meeting on Thursday, Cerar met Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss ways to develop bilateral cooperation, as well as the latest regional developments. 

Safadi and Cerar stressed the importance of building strong bilateral ties and reviewed measures to enhance cooperation in various fields, a Foreign Ministry statement said. 

During the meeting, Cerar lauded continuous efforts under the leadership of King Abdullah towards enhancing regional peace and stability. 

Safadi reiterated the significance of intensifying efforts towards a two-state solution, lauding Slovenia’s support for it as the only way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

Talks also went over efforts to resolve the Syrian, Yemini and Libyan crises and efforts exerted in the war against terror.

The two countries will work to sign the agreements needed and create a legislative framework to enhance economic and investment cooperation, in addition to developing partnership with the private sector, Razzaz said.

The Slovenian minister stressed that he will urge the European Union to assist Jordan with grants rather than loans. 

A fourth meeting between Cerar and Minister of Industry and Trade Tareq Hammouri addressed means to boost economic cooperation between Amman and Ljubljana in various fields and maximising the benefits from available opportunities in both countries, according to Petra. 

AMMAN — The recently launched economic incentives plan has increased the number of real-estate transactions by an average of 9 per cent, whereby the sale of lands and apartments grew by 10 per cent and 7 per cent respectively in October, compared with the same period of last year. 

The notable improvement is the result of the incentives bundle issued in the fourth quarter of October, the decision to expand registration fee exemption and reduction measures, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

On October 30, the Cabinet decided to expand registration fee exemption and reduction measures pertaining to the sale of apartments and lands as part of real rejuvenation procedures and to facilitate ownership of suitable housing. 

The new decisions included exempting the first 150m of residential apartments and lands from registration and property transfer fees until the end of the year, regardless of the seller, apartment size and number of apartments, in addition to subjecting the aforementioned costs to 50 per cent fee and tax reductions, in comparison with the legally stipulated rate. 

The decisions also slashed land sale fees by 50 per cent, including amongst relatives and business partners, and will be valid until December 31 of this year. 

Acting Director of the Department of Land and Survey Mohammad Sawafeen said that since the issuance of the decision, transactions across land and survey departments have doubled, including the fee-exempted sale of lands and apartments and transfer of properties. 

More than 19,000 land plots and apartments have entered into real estate circulation since the Cabinet’s decision on May 9, benefitting from transfer fee exemptions, according to Petra.

The new decisions and procedures are a response to the demands of citizens who hope to benefit from the incentives launched by the government under the category of “stimulating the economy and investments”, and aim to help Jordanians, mainly limited-income populations, own apartments.

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Thursday, approving a reshuffle of Prime Minister Omar Razzaz’s Cabinet.

Muhyiddine Touq was appointed as minister of higher education and scientific research, Tayseer Nueimi as minister of education, Saleh Kharabsheh as minister of environment, Ibrahim Shahahdeh as minister of agriculture, Mohamad Al-Ississ as minister of finance and Amjad Adaileh as minister of state for media affairs, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The Royal decree also approved the appointment of Mohammad Khalaileh as minister of Awqaf and Islamic affairs, Basim Tweissi as minister of culture, Fares Braizat as minister of youth, Wissam Rabadi as minister of planning and international cooperation and Khalid Saif as minister of transport. 

The ministers were sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah at Al Husseiniya Palace.

Razzaz, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, and Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh attended the swearing-in.

A Royal Decree has also been issued accepting the resignation of the following, as of November 7, 2019: Rajai Muasher as deputy prime minister and minister of state, Abdul Nasser Abul Basal as minister of Awqaf and Islamic affairs, Ezzeddine Kanakrieh as minister of finance and Jumana Ghunaimat as minister of state for media affairs. 

The decree also accepted the resignation of Ibrahim Shahahdeh as minister of agriculture and minister of environment, Anmar Khasawneh as minister of transport, Mohammad Abu Rumman as minister of culture and minister of youth and Mohamad Al-Ississ as minister of planning and international cooperation and minister of state for economic affairs.

King Abdullah received the outgoing ministers at Al Husseiniya Palace on Thursday and thanked them for their efforts.

The shakeup, which came upon the premier’s recommendation, included nine incoming ministers: Touq, Nueimi, Saif, Kharabsheh, Adaileh, Rabadi, Khalaileh, Tweissi and Braizat.

The reshuffle also changed the portfolio of Al-Ississ from minister of planning and international cooperation and state minister for economic affairs to finance minister, while Shahahdeh now heads only the agriculture ministry, after he was previously in charge of the ministries of environment and agriculture. 

This Cabinet reshuffle in Razzaz's government is the fourth in one year after similar reshuffles took place in May and January 2019 and in October 2018.

On Monday, when Razzaz asked ministers to submit their resignations in preparation for the Cabinet reshuffle, the premier stressed that the reshuffle is aimed at dealing with the requirements of the phase.

Cabinet list

Following is the list of Prime Minister Omar Razzaz’s Cabinet members after Thursday’s reshuffle:

Omar Razzaz: Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

Ayman Safadi: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Musa Maaytah: Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State

Nidal Bataineh: Minister of Labour

Walid Masri: Minister of Local Administration

Yasera Ghosheh: Minister of State for Institutional Performance Development

Sami Daoud: Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs

Wissam Rabadi: Minister of Planning and International Cooperation 

Salameh Hammad: Minister of Interior

Mohammad Khalaileh: Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

Mohamad Al-Ississ: Minister of Finance

Mubarak Abu Yamin: Minister of State for Legal Affairs

Tareq Hammouri: Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply

Amjad Adaileh: Minister of State for Media Affairs

Hala Zawati: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

Muthana Gharaibeh: Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship

Raed Abul Saud: Minister of Water and Irrigation

Bassam Talhouni: Minister of Justice

Majd Shweikeh: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities 

Falah Omoush: Minister of Public Works and Housing

Basma Ishaqat: Minister of Social Development

Saad Jaber: Minister of Health

Ibrahim Shahahdeh: Minister of Agriculture 

Saleh Kharabsheh: Minister of Environment

Basim Tweissi: Minister of Culture 

Fares Braizat: Minister of Youth

Tayseer Nueimi: Minister of Education

Muhyiddine Touq: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research 

Khalid Saif: Minister of Transport

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated the need for economic measures that reflect positively on citizens by improving their living standards.

Speaking at the sixth workshop at Al Husseiniya Palace held as part of an ongoing series of workshops on the economy, King Abdullah called for the continued participation of all sides in the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the first stimulus package launched recently by the government, which will be followed by other packages, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the workshop, attended by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, His Majesty directed the government to continue holding these workshops, stressing the need to link the implementation process with clear timeframes and key performance indicators to evaluate results.

The King said he will follow up on progress assessment, adding that partnership among all sectors in the monitoring and evaluation process will contribute to the success of future stimulus packages.

For his part, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz emphasised that the government will continue to engage all sectors, noting the immediate positive impact of the first stimulus package on the real estate market.

The prime minister underscored that creating employment opportunities is a priority for the government, because of its impact on citizens’ living standards, highlighting the media’s important role in covering the measures taken to stimulate the economy, the statement said.

Several economic, political and media figures attended Wednesday’s workshop.

AMMAN — A delegation from the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), headed by HH Prince Mired, on Wednesday participated in the Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS).

Prince Mired delivered a speech during the summit opening about the HCD’s achievements and priorities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During his speech, the prince highlighted the 10-year national accessibility plan, which was launched in March to make buildings and tourism utilities accessible for people with disabilities nationwide.

The delegation also took part in an exhibition held on the sidelines of the event, organised a booth for Jordan in cooperation with the HCD, the Jordan Tourism Board and a group of organisations active in accessibility in the Kingdom.

UAE Minister of Community Development Hessa Bint Issa Buhumaid visited the Jordanian display for a firsthand look at the showcased publications and the accessibility guidebook designed by the HCD for the banking and hotel sectors.

The minister expressed her admiration of the guidebook and the work of the council, praising the efforts of the HCD and the government in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

AccessAbilities Expo is the region’s largest exhibition providing access to the newest products, latest technologies and services in the sector, showcased by the region’s biggest distributors, international manufacturers, government entities and medical and education centres. 

The exhibition is a hub for “learning, exploring and having fun for everyone”, according to the expo’s website.