Business Club

EY has announced the launch of EY Ripples globally and in the MENA region. EY Ripples is a global corporate responsibility programme aimed at promoting positive change in the lives of millions by mobilising and inspiring EY people and networks.

To build a better working world, EY Ripples focuses on three distinct areas: supporting the next generation workforce, working with impact entrepreneurs, and accelerating environmental sustainability. In comment, Abdulaziz Al Sowailim, MENA chairman and CEO, EY, says: “As a global organisation with the ability to create an impact, EY is fully committed to making a meaningful contribution in the communities we operate in by using our skills, knowledge, and experience to help drive sustainable economic growth.The EY Ripples programme is a testament to this commitment, so that everybody can contribute to and reap the rewards of positive change in our communities.”

Building on a long track record of service with the impact entrepreneur community, EY works with impact entrepreneurs to help scale their businesses, which purposefully drive progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

In the spirit of the holiday season, Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel spread Christmas cheer by inviting guests to celebrate the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Tens of locals and guests gathered to see the lighting of the Christmas tree along with the hotel’s management to the sound of The Baptism School Choir singing joyful Christmas songs.

Stemming from the true meaning of Christmas, the joy and kindness it brings with it, Sheraton Amman invited two organisations that care for children with special needs and vulnerable women; “Beit Al Liqa’” and Zarqa Life Centre for social development.

As the Christmas tree came all bright with strings of twinkling lights, General Manager, Iva Trifonov, wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Zarqa Life Centre for social development has different economic empowerment programmes working to equip Zarqa’s vulnerable women with tools that might enable them to save or earn money, in addition to many other children-care programmes.

Gearing towards the Holidays season, and in order to spread warmth and the spirit of giving, BCI Group created a heartwarming initiative in collaboration with “The Good Socks” project, a project that provides a nutritious meal for people in need with every purchase of a pair of socks in cooperation with Tkiyet Um Ali.

In a gesture to support Jordan youth initiatives designed toward enhancing social solidarity, BCI Group is decorating its Christmas trees with “The Good Socks” cans during the festive season in three of its showroom; Mecca St, Abul Hajj Centre and City Mall.

With each purchase starting December 16th, customers will receive a can stacked with a fuzzy pair of cotton socks made in Jordan from the Good Socks Project along with a thank you message for their purchase and their generous contribution in offering a meal for people in need.

“We are proud to see such meaningful initiatives in our beloved Jordan managed by responsible youth who developed an outstanding project to serve a noble humanitarian cause aiming to support the local community,” Fadi Baransi, CEO of BCI Mobile Group said. 

Around 100 people gathered at Amman’s 6-Yard sports complex on Saturday afternoon for a football tournament with a difference. Organised by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the tournament saw six teams made up of WFP staff, donors, NGO partners and programme beneficiaries face-off in a “bubble football” competition.

The game, which is becoming increasingly popular in Jordan, sees players run around in giant “bubbles” as they try to score goals, while also remaining on their feet. “Strong partnerships are at the heart of all of WFP’s work in Jordan”, said Faten Al Hindi, partnerships officer for WFP. 

“Our plan was to bring together and celebrate the wide range of people that we work with for an enjoyable event that would help to break down barriers. Whether you’re a young person receiving support from one of WFP’s programmes, or a donor that is helping to fund that support — it really doesn’t make a difference on the bubble soccer pitch!”  That sentiment was echoed by Gregory Vento, programme officer from USAID, who said: “It was great team-building experience, and overall it was a fun event.” Nisreen Ramahi, who this year benefited from training and support provided through WFP’s resilience programme, also enjoyed Saturday’s tournament.

“It has been fun for us to play this game and get to know each other,” she said, noting that “our relationship with our partners from WFP and other agencies became less formal”.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the financial sector and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Jordan with a JD21.3 million subordinated loan to Bank Al Etihad that will support its growth and lending capacity.

This is the first time that the EBRD has provided a Basel III-compliant subordinated loan in Jordan or the wider southern and eastern Mediterranean region.

The loan is aimed at strengthening Bank Al Etihad’s capital structure in line with the Basel III instructions that Jordan adopted in 2016. The Basel III instructions seek to improve regulation, supervision and risk management within the Jordanian banking sector to enhance the ability of banks to face risks.

The loan will support Bank Al Etihad’s growth plans and lending capacity, including to MSMEs, thus improving MSME access to finance, which remains a major challenge for this segment of the economy.

“Adventures of Loony Balloony”, the nation-wide campaign to promote positive parenting as a strategy to end violence against children in Jordan, has won two of the Middle East Public Relations Association awards. The “best media campaign in Jordan” received two awards.

The campaign was created, organised and managed by iJordan, a Public Relations, Communication and Event Management Agency.

Lana Al Sakka, managing director of iJordan, expressed pride at receiving the awards. “We are very proud... There was a lot of hard work that went into creating, organising and managing this nation-wide campaign, she said. 

Hayat FM has renewed its cooperation agreement with Al Marji’ Publications, publisher of Family Flavours and Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh parenting magazines, for the fifth consecutive year.

This cooperation agreement stems from both parties’ commitment to raising awareness about family values and parenting through expert contributions. During the signing, Musa Saket, founder and chairperson of Hayat FM radio station, said this partnership “reflects Hayat FM's keen interest in serving families.

Our cooperation with Al Marji’ Publications is one of the radio station's most effective ways to do so”. He expressed his appreciation of both magazines for remaining true to their shared missions and values.

“We are happy to renew our partnership with Hayat FM radio station as its family values align with our mission,” said publisher and managing director of Al Marji’ Publications, Hind-Lara Mango. She added, “We are proud of this growing partnership, evident this year with Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh’s segment on Beit Hawa programme, and are looking forward to bringing our partnership to the next level  in the upcoming year.”

Al Marji’ Publications has recently honoured Hayat FM with an award of appreciation for its support as a media sponsor, hosting experts from both magazines on issues about health, nutrition, parenting, relationships and more. This year, a social media component was integrated in this partnership.

For the seventh consecutive year, Societe Generale de Banque-Jordanie (SGBJ) renews its partnership with Al Marji’ Publications, publishers of Family Flavours and Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh parenting magazines.

“This ongoing partnership with Al Marji’ Publications highlights the bank’s belief in Family Flavours and Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh magazines which are highly reputable in the Jordanian market.

Through this partnership, SGBJ promotes its various products and services as well as its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” said SGBJ General Manager Nadim Abaouat at the signing.

“We are happy to renew our partnership with SGBJ and are proud of the trust they have in us and in continuously offering the latest products and investment tools that are tailored to meet the needs of our readers, women and men looking for smart ways to invest and manage their finances,” noted Hind-Lara Mango, Publisher and Managing Director of Al Marji’ Publications.

Exactly three years to date after turning professional, England’s Harry Konig won his first title in dramatic fashion at the $100,000 Journey to Jordan Tour Championship, the season-ending event on the MENA Tour by Arena, on Thursday.

At the Greg Norman-designed Ayla Golf Club, the 24-year-old from Devon seemed out of the reckoning when he was three-over through eight holes. But he first holed his wedge third shot for an eagle on the par-5 ninth, and then played the last five holes to four-under par to finish on 11-under par 205.

England’s Joshua Grenville-Wood (70) looked all set to secure his first win as a professional as he reached the par-5 17th hole at 12-under par, but finished with two straight bogeys, including a missed par putt from less than three feet on the last to force a play-off.

Challenge Tour stars Todd Clements (67) and Jamie Rutherford (70) of England and Sweden’s Henric Sturehed (69) were already in the clubhouse at 10-under par and Grenville-Wood made it a four-way tie at 206.

South Africa’s MG Keyser and Dubai-born, 15-year-old Josh Hill both had rounds to forget but seasons to remember when they won the Professional and Amateur Journey to Jordan (Order of Merit) respectively. 

Under the patronage of Hala Zawati, the minister of energy and mineral resources, Orange Jordan inaugurated its solar farms project on Thursday at the company’s solar power plant in Na’our.

“We are inaugurating a new important project through which the company seeks to reduce the costs of electricity consumption and go green,” Zawati said at the ceremony, which was also attended by French Ambassador Véronique Vouland-Aneini, and several Jordanian officials.

The minister highlighted the importance of the project in reducing the operating costs at Orange Jordan, hoping that this will lead to reducing the costs of the services the company provides.

She praised the efforts of workers, employees, financiers, and partners who contributed to the success of this project and the institutions and government departments that facilitated the completion of the project.