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AMMAN — The Arab Renaissance Organisation for Democracy and Development (ARDD) Al Nahda Thought Forum on Monday held a panel discussion, hosting Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, as part of the organisation's regular meetings with experts and officials. 

The session titled “Amman: The City of Light… the city, the responsibility, and the future”, was held after Amman was given the “City of Light” title by the UNHCR for its efforts regarding refugees.

Moderated by ARDD’s Board of Trustees Chairman and the Director of the Strategic Studies Centre at the University of Jordan Zeid Eyadat, the discussion was attended by economic, cultural and political figures, as well as youth, civil society institutions representatives, and numerous international organisations, including the UNHCR. 

The attendees enriched the discussion that focused mainly on Amman's development through its various phases and aspects, its present and its future.

For his part, Shawarbeh highlighted the city’s development through four main fields: Public transport, automation, legislative development and enhanced investment, with the main focus of the session being on public transport. 

“No city will be able to develop if it lacks means of public transportation,” he said, noting that by December 2020 the Rapid Bus Transit project's infrastructure will be finalised, and the public transport system in Amman will be upgraded and modernised through an institutional transport company.

“We have not seen an assessment of public transport for more than 50 years, and we have not had a renewal plan for the public transportation system,” the mayor explained. 

The panel also tackled topics such as human rights issues, partnerships with the private sector and cooperation with NGOs, alongside proposed youth initiatives. 

He concluded the session with the note, "Jordan is doing well, and its future will be fine,” stressing the importance of strengthening the relationship between citizens and official institutions. 

AMMAN — The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) has launched the second phase of the EU-funded project "Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology" (TEST) in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to develop new growth opportunities for Jordanian industry.

The project aims at implementing the principles of resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) in additional industrial sectors, companies and service providers in Jordan, according to an RSS statement.

During the launch ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the UNIDO, the EU Delegation in Jordan, the relevant ministries and national institutions and chambers of industry, Rafat Assi, vice president for consultations and studies at the RSS, stressed the need to execute RECP assessment projects in the industrial sector to enhance the competency of the national industries through optimising productivity and reducing the waste of raw materials, water and energy.

Assi said that such projects will assist the green growth of the country and mitigate the challenges faced in water scarcity and energy supply and support the ultimate goal of the RSS in promoting the sustainable development of the Kingdom through addressing relevant global challenges, according to the statement.

Assi added that enhancing productivity by integrating practices and technology that lead to greater efficiency in the use of natural resources, a reduction of waste and energy consumption and opportunities for innovation and value creation, is central to UNIDO’s TEST approach. 

Assi also pointed out that the RSS will implement the second phase of the project in partnership with chambers of industry and in cooperation with UNIDO and national focal points from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply and the Ministry of Environment to move forward in implementing the principles of RECP in Jordan, the statement said. 

Assi noted that the implementation of the first phase of the project over three years identified a potential annual savings of over JD1.6 million that resulted in 22,181 MWh/year in energy savings; 63,844 m3/year of water savings; 404 tonnes of raw material savings, and 83 tonness of landfilled solid waste avoided for the 12 participating companies in the food and beverage sector.

Roberta de Palma, UNIDO’s chief technical advisor, said that the TEST methodology offers industrial companies an integrated approach that combines RECP tools, Environmental Management System and material flow cost accounting to achieve a more sustainable production, a better environmental performance for the businesses, while also saving money and allowing businesses to invest and grow sustainably. 

Sulafa Mdanat, UNIDO’s representative in Jordan, explained that the project is fully in line with both Jordan’s national priorities and the sustainable development goal number 9, which focuses on inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fosters innovation. 

Basel Alnobani, from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply said that the TEST methodology addresses the challenges and barriers industries are facing in becoming more resource and energy efficient, and less polluting. 

He also noted that the methodology also increases the productivity and competitiveness of the industrial sector in Jordan with a higher chance of access to international markets with good quality products and compliance with environmental standards.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a July State Security Court ruling sentencing a man to 15 years in prison after convicting him of attempting to join terrorist groups and plotting attacks against security officers in 2017.

The court declared the defendant, who is a supporter of the Daesh extremist group, guilty of threatening to conduct terrorist activities against security officers and manufacturing explosives, and handed him the maximum sentence.

Court papers said the defendant had been a follower of Daesh terror group since 2014 and decided to adopt its ideology.

"The defendant then met another man, who did not appeal his verdict, at a mosque and they decided to spread Daesh ideology because they believed that it applied the correct Sharia [Islamic law]," court transcripts said.

The defendant also decided to target security officers "since they did not abide by the proper Sharia based on the Daesh ideology", court papers said.

"The defendant surfed the Internet and became acquainted with the chemical material used to manufacture explosives and bought it from a local market," court papers said.

The defendant and the other man manufactured a primitive explosive device using the chemical material and it detonated, according to court documents.

However, the two were arrested before being able to carry out any of their alleged plans, the court documents said.

The SSC's attorney general  had asked the higher court to uphold the ruling, stating that the court abided by the proper legal procedures when sentencing the defendant.

Meanwhile, the defendant, through his lawyer, contested the verdict arguing that the "gun and other chemical substance found with him were not dangerous as the SSC prosecution stated during the trial".

The lawyer also argued that the SSC relied on weak evidence and unreliable witnesses when issuing its verdict, according to court documents.

The higher court ruled that the SSC followed the proper procedures when sentencing the defendant and he deserved the verdict he received. 

"An explosive ordnance expert testified that the material found in the possession of the defendant is used to manufacture explosives and it is dangerous," court papers added.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Naji Zubi, Yassin Abdullat, Majid Azab and Nayef Samarat.

AMMAN — Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) on Tuesday welcomed the first chartered plane carrying 179 French tourists, marking the launch of an “air bridge” linking Amman with Lyon, Paris and Toulouse.

This tourism “air bridge”, the first of its kind, is the result of the Jordan Tourism Board's (JTB) efforts towards attracting low-cost regular and transit flights from various countries to QAIA and King Hussein Airport in Aqaba, JTB Managing Director Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat was quoted as saying in a  JTB statement on Wednesday.

The board is working on attracting more direct flights to Amman and Aqaba, which serve as gateways to the Kingdom's tourist and archaeological sites, he added, noting that such tourist trips would increase the number of arrivals from France, as well as other EU countries.

Arabiyat expressed the JTB's keenness to create "healthy" competitiveness in aviation industry in the direction of economic prosperity through attracting new investments and promoting the Jordanian tourism market.

Touching on tourism revitalisation, Fadi Abu Arish, CEO of Althuraya Travel, a company established in 1998, said that the number of French visitors are expected to contribute 20 per cent of the total number of arrivals to the Kingdom, according to the statement.

Abu Arish added that the company will organise two seven-day trips per week through Amman and Aqaba airports.

AMMAN — Zarqa Private University (ZPU) on Wednesday launched "our students are our responsibility..." initiative, embodying national and educational responsibilities towards the schoolchildren who are most affected by the teachers' strike.

In cooperation with Zarqa's private schools and the governorate's Education Development Centre, the ZPU's initiative will begin on Thursday across Zarqa, in the central region of Jordan, to be implemented through private schools geographically distributed across the governorate, located some 22km northeast of Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The educational initiative will be implemented according to a “definite programme” set by the initiative's committee, including representatives from private schools and local society, Petra said.

In line with the initiative's interest in alleviating students' burdens, the schools of ZPU and other private schools taking part in the campaign have pledged to provide transportation to beneficiaries.

The teachers’ open strike started on Sunday and no agreement has been reached with the government regarding their demand for a 50-per cent pay raise.

The open strike was announced after a sit-in in Amman last Thursday, during which the Jordan Teachers Association claimed violations were committed against its members.

The Public Security Department denied the allegations, but confirmed that 50 teachers were detained during the protest for “illegally forcing their way through to Fourth Circle”.

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has been working to avoid the reoccurrence of floods similar to those that inundated downtown last winter and brought with them road closures and enormous losses for shop owners.

Last winter’s floods caused huge property losses for citizens and merchants, despite GAM's assertion of its readiness for winter rains.

This year, GAM started early with its preparations to ascertain the infrastructure's preparedness for winter, according to a GAM official.

"Firstly, I guarantee that GAM is always prepared with its maximum capacities,” Basem Tarawneh, Deputy Director for Districts and Environmental Affairs at GAM, told The Jordan Times on Wednesday, stating that last year’s heavy rain was due to climate change, which doesn’t only affect Jordan but also the world.

"Last year's extreme weather conditions caused heavy rain like never before, which the main drainage system's capacity could not absorb," Tarawneh noted.

The main drainage system on Quraysh Street in downtown Amman will be maintained during the current week, while in the meantime subsidiary drainage systems are also being maintained to reduce the pressure on the main drainage system, the official said.

AMMAN — Farmers in the Jordan Valley have voiced their worries about a late planting season and a poor harvest.

According to several farmers, who have expressed their concern to President of the Jordanian Farmers Union Mahmoud Oran, the “green” produce for this year might arrive after September.

“Farmers usually start preparing for the new season in December, but because of the losses that the farmers have endured last season, some started a lot later, and some are still unable to start at all,” he said over the phone on Wednesday.

Oran identified high operating costs and underfunding as the farmers’ main challenges. 

“Many farms until now have not been mowed. That is because a tractor costs JD40 a day, and many will need it for at least a week or more to cover their numerous dunums,” explained the union’s president.

He added, “if you want to hire workers to mow and plow the fields, that is even more expensive, as you will need at least three workers over a period of one week or more, each of whom needs JD25 plus food and transportation. That is JD75 a day at the very least.”

Mansour Abu Ijleh, who works as an agricultural supervisor in Ghour, said that the numerous farms he oversees have planted “less than at least 40 per cent of their usual crops.”

He added: “Big agricultural companies usually fund a farmer based on the percentage he can give them of his produce. Given that many farmers paid significantly less than usual last season, the companies are funding them less as well.”

Lack of funding as well as working hands will “certainly” delay the arrival of local produce to the markets until late October, according to spokesperson of the independent Jordan Valley farmers’ union Hamzeh Syouri.

“This will affect farmers, who will have less income and therefore less to start with for next season. In consequence, it will affect tradesmen and shop owners, who will have to pay more and go through the trouble of bringing in imported produce,” said Syouri.

He continued: “At the end of this reactive chain, there are the citizens, who will ultimately have to pay more for their fruits and vegetables.”

AMMAN — Senate President Feisal Fayez on Wednesday urged the EU to boost its aid and increase investments in Jordan in view of the Kingdom’s services to Syrian refugees and its economic repercussions.

Fayez made his remarks during talks with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, during which he reiterated that the EU must have a greater contribution to regional peace efforts, restoring security and stability and supporting the Palestinian people in achieving their right to statehood, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Talks also went over the importance of activating bilateral agreements and expanding their economic and investment partnership in the fields of public transport, renewable energy and tourism, urging Czech businesspeople to benefit from the Kingdom’s strategic location and the opportunities it offers. 

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti and Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi on Wednesday discussed means to enhance cooperation in a way that serves the interests of both countries’ armed forces.

In a separate meeting, Huneiti met with Pakistani Ambassador to Jordan Junaid Rehmat. The two sides discussed the latest regional and international developments and prospects to increase military cooperation and coordination between Amman and Islamabad, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Also on Wednesday, Huneiti met with Italian Military Attaché Col. Fabrizio Barone over means to enhance cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.  

AMMAN — The Netherland’s embassy in Jordan on Wednesday signed an agreement with the World Bank Group to provide Jordan with $5 million to support the implementation of the Kingdom’s five-year plan to rejuvenate the economy, boost the private sector’s development, attract investment and provide jobs, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The agreement was signed by Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom Barbara Joziasse, Regional Director of the World Bank’s Mashreq Department Saroj Kumar Jha and Regional Manager of the International Finance Corporation Dalia Wahbeh.

During the signing, Joziasse said: “The Netherlands is a close friend of Jordan and its people. We want to contribute to the achievement of peace and prosperity for every Jordanian; therefore we support the Kingdom’s economic reforms.”