Day: April 8, 2025

Amman: Civil Defense personnel on the Desert Highway “successfully” suppressed a fire that broke out Tuesday in a factory warehouse in the Qatraneh district, some 90km south of the capital, Amman.

According to Jordan News Agency, firefighting teams managed to control and fully extinguish the blaze without any injuries reported.

The official noted the facility housed hazardous materials, mainly petroleum products, gas cylinders, and oils, adding that competent authorities have launched an investigation to identify cause of the incident.

Cairo: First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Representatives, Dr. Mustafa Khasawneh, emphasized the significance of the tripartite summit involving His Majesty King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to Jordan News Agency, Khasawneh highlighted the messages conveyed during the press conference and joint statement. Speaking on the “From Egypt” Show on the Cairo News Channel, he noted that both His Majesty and the Egyptian president reaffirmed their rejection of forced displacement and stressed the necessity of implementing the two-state solution.

Khasawneh asserted that this approach is the way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as emphasized at the summit. He added that the shared positions of Jordan and Egypt demonstrate their commitment to a unified stance on the Palestinian issue.

In his comments, Khasawneh referred to efforts aimed at halting violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He stressed the need for the three countries to push for a ceasefire agreement, reflecting their position in supporting Palestinian rights.

Khasawneh also mentioned that common Arab positions should be leveraged to benefit the Palestinian cause, which would aid in achieving peace in the region. He noted that this meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, and France, which have influenced political decisions at the European level.

The ultimate goal of these diplomatic efforts, according to Khasawneh, is to establish a free and independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Mafraq: Mafraq Water Authority announced the installation of 22,474 new mechanical water meters across the governorate as part of a project to replace old metering devices.

According to Jordan News Agency, Mafraq project manager, Faten Khreisha, stated that the project aims to install 30,000 new water meters to replace the old ones in Mafraq and Northern Badia water administrations. This initiative is part of a broader plan to replace meters in the Kingdom’s northern governorates to reduce water loss.

Khreisha explained that the project is currently being implemented over two phases and is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). She announced that the project’s completion rate has exceeded 70%, and work is ongoing to replace all old water meters in the two target regions.

Amman: Director-General of the Jordan Hejaz Railway Corporation (JHR), Zahi Khalil, said the rail route extending from Mafraq governorate to the “Zero Zone” on the Syrian border is currently being inspected, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities and agencies.

According to Jordan News Agency, Khalil stated that the rail line inspections will be completed this month to ensure infrastructure “readiness” to resume tourist trips to the Syrian city of Daraa. Khalil noted the resumption of tourist trips to Daraa is linked to government directives and technical and security matters on the Syrian side, especially amid the rail line interruptions inside Syrian territory. Additionally, he affirmed the JHR will be “technically ready” to resume trips, after coordination with the Syrian authorities.

Amman: The World Bank Group has announced a new financing package worth $1.1 billion to support Jordan in achieving key objectives under the economic modernisation vision. The funding aims to enhance social and economic resilience amid ongoing challenges and crises. The financing includes four specific projects designed to improve living conditions for Jordanians.

According to Jordan News Agency, the projects focus on implementing reforms for inclusive growth and job creation, supporting startups and small to medium-sized enterprises, extending social assistance, and fostering a sustainable energy future to stimulate the country’s economic activity. “Jordan continues to demonstrate commitment to advancing critical reforms to build a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient economy,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Division Director, Middle East Department.

These new programmes represent a comprehensive approach vital for achieving sustainable growth, including support for private sector investment, entrepreneurship, social protection, and the energy transition. Since the launch of the Economic Modernisation Vision, Jordan has made significant strides in modernising its economy, fostering innovation, enhancing fiscal sustainability, and broadening social protection.

With a renewed emphasis on inclusion and digital transformation, the government is working to harness the potential of the private sector, aiming for tangible improvements in the lives of Jordanians. The four approved projects constitute an important milestone in the implementation of the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework for Jordan for 2024-2029, signifying a results-driven partnership that merges reforms with strategic investments.

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan stated, “This new financing reflects our continued partnership with the World Bank to promote economic opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen Jordan’s innovation and clean energy agenda as per the development priorities under the Economic Modernisation Vision.”

Among the notable programmes is the $400 million Jordan Growth and Competitiveness Development Policy Financing Programme, which supports the government’s efforts to unlock investment, boost exports, and create economic opportunities for youth and women. The programme encompasses reforms to better the business environment, promote fair competition, broaden access to finance, and streamline customs procedures.

The second phase of the ISSF 2.0 project, funded at $50 million, aims to enhance early-stage direct investment financing and stimulate private investment in high-growth startups across sectors like information and communications technology (ICT), financial technology (FinTech), health solutions technology, and green technology. Building on the success of the initial phase, which attracted over $240 million in private capital and created more than 2,290 jobs, the second phase will leverage IFC’s expertise in due diligence and co-investment in startups and regional venture capital funds.

The forthcoming phase of the Jordan Innovative Startups Fund (JISF) is projected to attract an estimated $150 million in private capital over five years, supporting 100 startups and creating 1,500 new jobs in growth sectors for women- and youth-led businesses.

The $400 million Resilient and Sustainable Social Protection Programme is designed to bolster Jordan’s ability to respond to shocks while providing better support for the country’s most vulnerable populations. The programme aims to expand cash assistance, improve digital service delivery, and connect beneficiaries with education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. It seeks to deliver cash transfers to 1.2 million vulnerable people, health insurance to around 150,000 people, and services to one million people through early warning and response systems.

The Electricity Sector Efficiency and Reliability of Supply Programme, with $250 million in financing, will aid Jordan’s clean energy transition and enhance the stability and financial sustainability of the public grid. The initiative will implement cost-saving and revenue-enhancing measures in the sector, improve energy efficiency in public institutions, and strengthen cybersecurity in electricity transmission operations. It further supports Jordan’s objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to 31 per cent by 2030 while bolstering the resilience of the public grid.

Amman: The Heritage Commission will hold a press conference Wednesday at its HQ in Al-Murabba’ of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to unveil the findings of a recent scientific study on the “History of the Green Arabian Peninsula.”

According to Jordan News Agency, the conference will feature attendance from researchers, specialists, and representatives of local and international media. Key results of the study will be presented and discussions will focus on its implications for understanding the region’s natural history.

The event forms part of the Heritage Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote scientific research and foster international cooperation in natural heritage studies.

It also aims to highlight the Kingdom’s environmental and historical dimensions, thereby contributing to the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to showcase national heritage and strengthen its role in sustainable development.