Day: February 26, 2026

Aqaba: Chairperson of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Shadi Majali underscored the strategic importance of the truck entry and exit regulation project in Aqaba, describing it as a cornerstone in advancing the city’s transport and logistics ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a regional trade gateway.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a visit to Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions, Majali reviewed the final technical and operational preparations ahead of the project’s official launch on March 1, 2026. The visit highlighted the project’s anticipated impact on improving operational efficiency at ports, loading and unloading facilities, and the southern industrial zone, as well as its broader role in organizing freight movement across the city.

Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions had earlier signed an agreement with ASEZA to manage, operate, and further develop the project. The company is 50 percent owned by Aqaba Development Corporation, the Authority’s investment arm, in partnership with a strategic investor. The initiative is expected to enhance digital governance of freight traffic, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and elevate the quality and reliability of logistics services in Aqaba.

Majali received a comprehensive briefing from the company’s General Manager, Ahmed Alem, who outlined the readiness of the digital infrastructure, the integration of advanced IT systems, and the phased operational plan designed to ensure a smooth rollout without disruption to ongoing activities. He noted that the project represents a significant step toward streamlining freight movement and regulating truck traffic in line with best practices.

Majali said the initiative will improve cargo handling efficiency, optimize traffic flow, and bolster the competitiveness of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone as a regional logistics hub, thereby supporting supply chain resilience and facilitating trade flows.

For his part, Alem said the company has finalized all technical and administrative requirements, including the retention and integration of existing project staff to safeguard national expertise and ensure operational continuity during the transition phase. He added that the system is fully prepared to commence operations in accordance with approved standards.

Amman: The Ministry of Environment on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Waste Recycling Cooperative Association, as part of the executive program for the cleanliness strategy and anti-indiscriminate waste disposal. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the management of non-hazardous solid waste and establishing principles of a circular economy to support sustainable development in the Kingdom.

According to Jordan News Agency, the MoU was signed by Minister of Environment Dr. Ayman Suleiman and the Association’s Chairman, Hussein Abujabal, in the presence of the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Dr. Omar Arabiyat, and several officials and stakeholders from both sides. The agreement aims to expand joint cooperation and coordination in raising ecological awareness and promoting a culture of source-based waste sorting practices and recycling activities.

This collaboration is expected to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, preserve natural resources, and optimize the use of recyclable materials by reintroducing resources into the production cycle under the framework of a circular economy. During the signing ceremony, Suleiman emphasized the ministry’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with civil society organizations and the cooperative sector, highlighting that the transition to a circular economy is a national priority.

Suleiman also noted that this vision would lead to the creation of job opportunities, the promotion of innovation in the waste management sector, and increased resource efficiency. The ministry will provide technical and awareness support and oversee the implementation of joint programs, aligning with the goals of the National Cleanliness and Anti-Indiscriminate Waste Dumping Strategy.

The association’s head expressed pride in cooperating with the ministry, committing to distribute waste sorting containers for paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to schools, institutions, and various sectors in coordination with ministry departments. Furthermore, the association pledged to monitor collection, transportation, and recycling processes using organized and sustainable mechanisms, and to provide the ministry with regular reports on recycled quantities and future development plans.

Ma’an: The Ministry of Labor on Thursday signed an employment and training agreement to establish a new production branch in al-Husayniyah District, Ma’an Governorate, aimed at generating local job opportunities and expanding decentralized industrial activity. Under the agreement, the facility will manufacture professional uniforms and traditional Arab garments, creating 100 jobs for Jordanian men and women from the local community during its first operational phase.

According to Jordan News Agency, the addition of the al-Husayniyah branch raises the total number of production branches operating across the Kingdom to 37, collectively providing employment for approximately 10,000 Jordanians. The agreement was signed by Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar and the company’s General Manager Mohammad Adwan.

Bakkar said the production branches program is a Royal Initiative implemented by the Ministry since 2008 to stimulate employment in underserved areas. He detailed that the ministry, through the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Activities Support Fund and Skills Development Fund, provides operational incentives to investors, including coverage of 50 percent of the minimum wage per worker, JD25 for transportation allowances, and JD25 per worker per month toward social security contributions.

He added that the initiative seeks to localize development in rural areas, desert regions, and refugee camps across the governorates, enabling young Jordanians to access employment opportunities within their communities and reducing geographic barriers to labor market participation.

The minister underlined that the private sector remains the principal partner in establishing and expanding production branches, noting that the government continues to facilitate an enabling environment to enhance private-sector-led job creation.

For his part, Adwan commended the Ministry’s support mechanisms, noting that the factory will be rolled out in three phases, with 100 employees to be recruited in the first phase.

Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Labor has signed three additional employment agreements to establish production branches in Bal’ama and Rahab districts in Mafraq Governorate and in al-Husayniyah District in Ma’an Governorate, as well as a new branch in Bani Kinana District in Irbid Governorate, all under the Royal Initiative for Production Branches.

Amman: Minister of Youth, Dr. Raed Adwan, met with Azerbaijan Ambassador to Jordan, Shahin Abdullayev, to discuss ways to enhance joint youth cooperation. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Youth, focusing on strengthening ties in various fields.

According to Jordan News Agency, the discussion revolved around mutual cooperation and expertise exchange in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security. This resolution aims to promote youth participation in international peace and security issues. Dr. Adwan emphasized Jordan’s role in implementing the resolution both locally and globally.

The resolution, adopted by the Security Council in 2015, was driven by efforts from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. Dr. Adwan also highlighted Jordan’s leadership in preparing the Arab Strategy for Youth, Peace, and Security, which was launched in Amman.

Locally, the minister highlighted Jordan’s experience in volunteer work, including the King Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Volunteer Work and initiatives promoting local youth and volunteer activities. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing young people’s skills and building their capacities.

Dr. Adwan mentioned the ministry’s training programs platform, aimed at empowering Jordanian youth in areas like life skills, leadership, and political empowerment, as well as arts, music, digital skills, and sports programs such as taekwondo, jujitsu, and football.

Ambassador Abdullayev noted Azerbaijan’s experience in youth and sports, expressing his aspiration to strengthen cooperation on youth issues of mutual interest. He proposed a joint executive program to facilitate the transfer of expertise and knowledge and implement bilateral youth and cultural exchange programs.

Abu dhabi: Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) took part in the Investors Summit organized by the Middle East Venture Capital Association (MEVCA) at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

According to Jordan News Agency, ISSF CEO Mohammad Muhtaseb stated that sovereign investment funds can serve as a “primary” driver for the innovation economy and a catalytic lever for entrepreneurship ecosystems, particularly amid accelerating global and regional economic shifts. Muhtaseb emphasized the need for the region to redefine the role of sovereign capital through more intelligent capital structuring. This involves moving beyond a traditional investment posture shaped by a “grant” mindset and toward an enabling, incentive-based approach that supports entrepreneurship and innovation in Jordan and the region on commercially viable, sustainable terms.

Muhtaseb outlined a vision for shifting sovereign funds from symbolic participation to a mobilizing and stimulating force to activate venture capital through sustainable, profit-generating investments that can be recycled into the economy over the long run. He highlighted that these entities shouldn’t merely disburse funds or expand beneficiary counts, but rather build an integrated investment ecosystem that can lead the MENA innovation economy on a foundation of financial sustainability.

Additionally, Muhtaseb mentioned that ISSF’s current strategy balances financial returns to ensure continuity with optimizing economic impact. He added that investment performance and economic development are “complementary, not conflicting, objectives in the fund’s policy.”

Amman: The Ministry of Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, launched the official website for the national digital fundraising platform “Aoun” on Thursday.

According to Jordan News Agency, Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa stated that the platform is a significant step in regulating aid provided to targeted groups of social services. The online portal offers detailed information on associations licensed to collect donations, including their objectives, programs, and the vulnerable populations they serve. Currently, the platform includes data on 34 approved associations.

The minister explained that through the “Aoun” platform, Jordanian donors can make direct contributions via the Sanad application without any deductions, ensuring that funds reach the intended beneficiaries. This initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to optimize resource utilization and advance the digital transformation of social services.

Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smirat highlighted the launch as pivotal in advancing the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda, emphasizing the government’s commitment to using technology to serve society and promote solidarity. He noted that the platform provides a reliable national digital channel that connects donors with licensed charitable institutions across the Kingdom, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and proper governance in the donation process.

He further added that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship ensures a secure infrastructure for electronic donations, enabling donors to track the impact of their contributions. The platform’s development was fully sponsored by a leading Jordanian company, illustrating successful public-private partnership.

The Ministry of Social Development encouraged citizens and organizations to visit the platform at https://aoun.jo to access information about services, donation mechanisms, and licensed charitable organizations, and to participate in supporting vulnerable communities across Jordan.