Day: May 11, 2025

Salt: Balqa Applied University and the China University of Geosciences are laying the groundwork for deeper academic collaboration, with a focus on joint programs, research initiatives, and dual-degree opportunities between Jordan and China. In a meeting held in Salt, Ahmad Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, President of Balqa Applied University, received a high-level academic delegation from the China University of Geosciences. The two sides discussed expanding cooperation across higher education, research, and innovation, as well as strengthening institutional ties between their universities.

According to Jordan News Agency, Al-Ajlouni reviewed the university’s achievements in applied and technical education, particularly its efforts to modernize academic offerings in artificial intelligence, engineering, and technology. These advancements, he said, have enhanced the university’s ability to equip graduates with market-relevant skills for both local and regional employment.

As part of the proposed cooperation, Balqa Appli
ed University expressed interest in establishing joint academic programs with its Chinese counterpart. These could include dual-enrollment tracks, reciprocal credit recognition, and degree pathways allowing students to earn diplomas from both institutions, provided they meet graduation requirements, or a single degree if requirements are fulfilled at one university only.

The Chinese delegation toured the university’s campus, including advanced research laboratories and the College of Artificial Intelligence. During the tour, university officials showcased recent investments in educational infrastructure and highlighted ongoing research and innovation projects.

A dialogue session followed the visit, where both parties explored opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and the development of dual-degree programs aimed at fostering deeper cultural and academic understanding between the two countries.

The Chinese delegation introduced their institution’s role as the official acad
emic partner under the China-Jordan cooperation framework and reiterated its commitment to overseeing the initial development phases of the Chinese-Jordanian University, a new educational venture to be implemented in stages.

At the conclusion of the visit, both sides reaffirmed the importance of expanding academic relations between Jordan and China. They emphasized that greater collaboration could advance the quality of higher education, promote innovation, and support shared goals in sustainable development.

Amman: The national exports continued their upward trend in the first two months of 2025, supported by strong performances in key sectors including jewelry, garments, and fertilizers, according to official data released by the Department of Statistics.

According to Jordan News Agency, figures show that national exports rose by 8.1% year-on-year, reaching JD1.309 billion by the end of February, compared to JD1.211 billion during the same period in 2024. The growth was largely driven by higher external demand for several of Jordan’s main export commodities.

Exports of jewelry and precious metals recorded the highest surge, climbing 49.5% to JD154 million, up from JD103 million a year earlier. The sector’s robust performance reflects growing interest in Jordanian gold and silver products, particularly in regional markets.

Garment exports, one of Jordan’s longstanding export pillars, increased by 2.8% to reach JD257 million, compared to JD250 million during the same period last year. The apparel sector continues to benefit from established trade agreements and competitive production costs.

Fertilizer exports also posted healthy growth, rising 8.8% to JD123 million by the end of February, up from JD113 million in the corresponding period of 2024. The increase was attributed to stable global demand and improved export logistics.

However, the overall export landscape was tempered by notable declines in other key sectors. Exports of raw potash fell by 13.4% to JD71 million, down from JD82 million in the same period last year. Phosphate exports dropped even further, declining 20.9% to JD68 million from JD86 million.

Pharmaceutical products also recorded a sharp downturn, with exports falling 23.8% to JD64 million, compared to JD84 million in the same period of the previous year. The sector’s decline comes amid rising competition in international markets and shifting regulatory requirements in some export destinations.

Despite these setbacks, the overall growth in national exports signals resilience in Jordan’s trade performance, bolstered by diversification across several high-performing sectors.

National exports are defined as goods and services produced within the country and sold to foreign markets. These include locally manufactured products and domestically provided services that are exported by Jordanian companies and institutions.

Amman: The German Jordanian University (GJU) held a graduation ceremony on Saturday for the ninth and tenth cohorts of its International Nonprofit Management Program, recognizing the achievements of professionals from across the region who completed the specialized training.

According to Jordan News Agency, the program operates in seven Arab countries, including Jordan. It is designed to build leadership and management capacity within nonprofit organizations, equipping participants with the tools to drive social impact and organizational sustainability.

Speaking at the ceremony, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Mustafa Al-Khasawneh praised the graduates for their commitment to advancing social development through nonprofit leadership. He highlighted the importance of the program in preparing a new generation of professionals dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting change within their communities.

Program Director Hazem Al-Faqeh and Lina Abu Al-Hijja, Director of GJU’s Consultation and Training Center, extended their congratulations to the graduates. They emphasized the program’s role in enhancing the operational efficiency and strategic governance of nonprofit organizations across the region.

During the ceremony, certificates were presented to the graduating participants, and the top achievers from the ninth and tenth cohorts were officially recognized. The university also announced the list of candidates accepted into the upcoming eleventh cohort.

Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Al-Saud toured several water harvesting and agricultural sites in Jordan’s southern and southeastern Badia over the weekend to examine new water-efficient farming methods that utilize advanced irrigation technologies.

According to Jordan News Agency, the visit, organized by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, focused on field experiments conducted by the Jordan Valley Authority in cooperation with the local private agricultural sector and Australian partners. The objective was to evaluate the impact of innovative techniques that significantly reduce water consumption, particularly in arid regions.

During the tour, Abu Al-Saud inspected water catchment facilities in the Al-Abyad area of Karak Governorate, where one basin alone had collected approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of water. He warned the public to avoid approaching these hazardous water bodies, especially with the onset of summer and rising temperatures. Many of these basins are located in areas with clay-rich soil, posing risks due to their unstable and slippery surfaces.

The minister also visited farms in the Disi basin and Wadi Rum, which are using treated water for agricultural purposes within tourist establishments in Aqaba. These farms are piloting advanced irrigation systems and soil management techniques aimed at maximizing water efficiency.

One of the most notable technologies reviewed was the application of “humisoil,” a locally developed method that combines innovative irrigation systems with fermented organic materials to improve soil structure, reduce salinity, and boost crop productivity. These experiments also demonstrated increased resistance to drought and pests, while helping mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Jordan Valley Authority has been implementing these techniques for over a year at pilot sites in Wadi Rum, Al-Dhulail, and the Jordan Valley. The composting process involves fermenting animal and plant waste for six months using environmentally friendly methods, which preserve essential nutrients and prevent the spread of harmful pathogens. The system also reduces fly and pest populations by eliminating breeding grounds.

Abu Al-Saud commended the efforts of Jordanian farmers and their private-sector partners, noting significant gains in wheat production. Crops planted using fermented organic materials and minimal irrigation yielded multiple harvests without the need for tilling or reseeding. In some cases, water use was reduced by more than 70 percent compared to conventional farming methods.

He stressed the need to scale up these successful practices across the country to support Jordan’s long-term water and agricultural sustainability goals. “These technologies offer a promising path forward for enhancing food security while preserving our limited water resources,” Abu Al-Saud said.

Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority, Hisham AlHesa, emphasized ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure efficient water use and appropriate crop selection tailored to local environmental conditions. He also noted that authorities are exploring ways to utilize animal waste and wastewater byproducts to further support sustainable agriculture, particularly in fodder production.

Amman: The Ministry of Agriculture has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding to launch a cooperative lending model aimed at empowering smallholder farmers. The initiative falls under the second Dutch Agricultural Support Project for Jordan, funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands and implemented by Val Consulting in partnership with Wageningen University.

According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat and Director General of the Jordan Cooperative Corporation Abdul Fattah Al-Shalabi. It brings together the Multipurpose Agricultural Cooperative for Dates, the mobile payment company Dinarak, and Val Consulting.

The lending model, known as SACO, is designed to offer revolving, low-interest loans to cooperative members, enabling them to invest in modern, water-efficient agricultural technologies. These tools will be sourced from pre-approved suppliers offering exclusive discounts to the cooperative.

A total of JD60,000 in initial funding has been allocated, to be disbursed through the Dinarak digital wallet platform. The mechanism is expected to ensure transparency and operational efficiency.

Under the agreement, farmers will repay loans via the digital wallet system in installments, while the cooperative will handle full payments to suppliers. The cooperative will also contribute a portion of its annual revenue to cover administrative expenses and support the long-term sustainability of the scheme.

The initiative also includes training for cooperative members in loan and financial management, as well as the use of digital financial tools.

Minister Hneifat described the model as a practical example of financing small farmers through cooperative structures, calling it a step toward greater agricultural productivity and sustainability amid mounting climate and economic pressures.

Al-Shalabi, for his part, said the approach reflects the Cooperative Corporation’s broader efforts to shift cooperatives toward self-financing systems that enhance their role as local development actors.

Raed Al-Saaideh, head of the participating cooperative, welcomed the system as a tool to relieve financial pressure on small farmers and expand their access to modern technology without the burden of traditional credit channels.

Dinarak CEO Emad Al-Oyoun emphasized the role of digital platforms in ensuring reliable and efficient financial transactions. At the same time, Lamia Dabbas of Val Consulting said the lending model captures the essence of the Dutch-supported project by enabling cooperatives to adopt innovative financing tools that strengthen rural resilience and drive sustainable agricultural transformation.

Amman: Jordan’s economy is navigating a phase of strategic recalibration in early 2025, exhibiting notable resilience against a complex global and regional backdrop. First-quarter data indicates a maturing economic structure, with the industrial and financial sectors emerging as principal engines of growth, reflecting a deliberate policy pivot towards value-added activities, technological integration, and enhanced domestic productive capacity.

According to Jordan News Agency, this trajectory is increasingly evident in both macroeconomic outturns and sectoral performance metrics. The dynamism of these core sectors is corroborated by Q1 2025 corporate earnings from the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), where aggregate net profits for listed entities advanced a robust 7.6% year-over-year to approximately JOD 565 million. This outperformance was spearheaded by the financial sector, which generated JOD 365.5 million in net profit, and closely followed by the industrial complex, contributing JOD 161 million. The services sector also posted positive earnings of JOD 34.7 million. Economists interpret this broad-based profit expansion as indicative of an underlying structural transformation towards an innovation-led, value-centric economic model.

The industrial sector’s strong contribution, evidenced by a 4-7% expansion in exports in Q1 2025 despite prevailing global economic deceleration, underscores the efficacy of a decade-long policy emphasis on transitioning from primary commodity reliance to sophisticated manufacturing. This strategic pivot, validated by benchmarks such as a recent UNIDO report highlighting Jordan’s rising technological component and local value-added in manufacturing surpassing some established regional peers, points to enhanced productivity and international competitiveness. Dr. Iyad Abu Haltam, a leading industrial sector representative, attributes this resilience to sustained investment in human capital, an improved business operating environment, and government support for digitization and modernization financing.

The discernible shift from extractive industries (now less than 23% of industrial exports) towards knowledge-based manufacturing further solidifies this structural change. However, Dr. Abu Haltam notes that structural impediments, chiefly export market concentration, necessitate continued strategic focus on market diversification and SME upgrading via the new national industrial policy to sustain this growth trajectory.

Parallel strength was observed in Jordan’s financial domain. The ASE General Index appreciated 1.52% during Q1, a positive signal amidst global financial circumspection. Analysts, including Dr. Omar Al-Gharaibeh of Al al-Bayt University, largely credit this stability to the Central Bank of Jordan’s prudent and consistent monetary policy, which has successfully balanced growth imperatives with exchange rate anchoring. Within the financial ecosystem, the insurance (+4.07% index rise) and banking (+1.88% index rise) sub-sectors demonstrated notable strength, reflecting improved operational efficiencies, healthy credit markets, and a supportive regulatory environment.

Conversely, diversified financial services and the real estate sector faced some headwinds from equity market volatility and interest rate pressures, indicating differentiated performance dynamics. These sectoral outturns are consistent with broader positive macroeconomic aggregates. Financial expert Husam Ayesh highlighted that Q1 local revenues expanded to approximately JOD 1.444 billion, bolstered by solid tax receipts. The banking system’s profitability (Q1 net profit +7.2% YoY to JOD 251 million), coupled with an expanding deposit base exceeding JOD 47 billion and robust credit origination surpassing JOD 35 billion, reflects sound macro-financial linkages and efficient liquidity management.

These domestic strengths, augmented by resilient tourism receipts (over JOD 1 billion in Jan-Feb) and stable expatriate remittances, have fortified foreign exchange reserves beyond USD 22 billion, thereby providing the monetary authorities with substantial policy space. Mr. Ayesh emphasized that the stable to positive outlooks from international credit rating agencies, alongside favorable IMF assessments of Jordan’s fiscal discipline and reform progress, affirm the credibility of the ongoing Economic Modernisation Vision.

The confluence of these positive sectoral and macroeconomic indicators suggests Jordan is solidifying a new phase of more diversified and resilient growth. The accelerated transformation observed in these key sectors is viewed as a testament to the efficacy of the current administration’s economic strategies, establishing a robust foundation for achieving the Kingdom’s long-term sustainable development objectives and enhancing its structural competitiveness.