Day: April 29, 2026

Amman: Investment Minister Tariq Abu Ghazaleh said on Wednesday the government is shifting investment toward projects with a direct impact on citizens that meet their needs, create job opportunities, improve services, and enhance the quality of life. The focus is on the governorates and Badia region, which require sustainable development projects, he spoke during a meeting with lawmakers of the Southern Badia.

According to Jordan News Agency, attracting quality projects is not limited to investment alone, but also involves providing an integrated economic environment that fosters crafts and professions, opens employment opportunities for young people, and contributes to supporting families and achieving social and economic stability, he said.

Abu Ghazaleh highlighted a school transport project in the region as a clear example of the government’s approach, noting that it provides safe and free transport for students, alleviates the burden on families, supports education, and creates direct and indirect job opportunities, while also stimulating the transport, maintenance, and service sectors.

He said the project is part of a series of developmental investment projects targeting the governorates, aiming to raise living standards, improve infrastructure, and provide better services to citizens, in line with the vision of economic modernization and the government’s priorities.

The representatives, Senator Sultan Al-Jazi and MPs Saleh Abu Tayeh, Mohammad Al-Maraeya, and Arwa Al-Zaben, spoke about key proposals on potential and feasible investment opportunities in the region, which would achieve sustainable development and create employment opportunities.

Amman: The Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) announced on Wednesday that all its directorates and centers across the kingdom will open this coming Saturday to assist taxpayers in filing their 2025 financial year returns and settling outstanding liabilities.

According to Jordan News Agency, the decision comes as the official statutory deadline for filing income tax returns coincides with a public holiday. Under Article 75 of the Income Tax Law, when a legal deadline falls on an official holiday, it is automatically extended to the first following working day. Consequently, the final legal deadline for submission and payment has been moved to Sunday.

The ISTD explained that the Saturday opening is intended to provide a final window for taxpayers who have not yet submitted their returns or completed electronic payments. This measure aims to facilitate the completion of tax procedures within the legal timeframe and help citizens avoid late-filing penalties.

Authorities urged taxpayers to utilize the remaining time to file their 2025 returns and settle dues to avoid the financial penalties stipulated by law. These include a flat addition for non-filing and a recurring fine of 0.4 percent of the tax due for every week of delay or any portion thereof.

While the department’s electronic services remain available for filing and payment, the physical offices will remain fully operational throughout the weekend to ensure comprehensive support for the public during the peak filing period.

Amman: The Parliamentary Energy and Mineral Resources Committee joined a preparatory meeting for the Sixth Arab Dialogue Workshop on Renewable Energy at the Centre for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, with the participation of energy experts and specialists.

According to Jordan News Agency, committee chair MP Ayman Abu Hanieh discussed the workshop’s role in enhancing Arab cooperation and exchanging expertise in renewable energy.

Abu Hanieh emphasized the importance of achieving Arab energy security as a means to support economic stability and sustainable development in the region. He noted that Jordan has made significant progress in strengthening its legislative framework for the energy sector, particularly focusing on renewable energy and green hydrogen, as well as regulating the electricity and gas sectors.

These efforts, Abu Hanieh added, are aimed at improving the investment climate and increasing reliance on local and renewable energy sources. He advocated for coordination between the legislative and executive branches, in collaboration with research institutions, to develop practical recommendations.

The recommendations should focus on optimising the use of clean energy and harnessing national resources such as silicon and copper, while supporting local manufacturing in energy-related industries. MPs Jamal Qamouh, Rakin Abu Hanieh, and Nour Abu Ghosh echoed the call for investing in Arab countries’ available resources and strengthening integration in energy projects, which they believe would help reduce costs and enhance energy security.

Centre Director Hassan Momani highlighted the role of energy in regional development and stressed the importance of addressing challenges and opportunities in the sector through shared regional visions. These visions are essential for supporting the future of renewable energy in the Arab world.

Participants presented recommendations and interventions on the workshop themes, describing it as an important platform for discussing the future of renewable energy projects, enhancing regional competitiveness, and supporting investment in both energy and the green economy.

Irbid: The Irbid Chamber of Industry, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has initiated a series of specialized studies focused on evaluating and improving the readiness of factories to employ persons with disabilities.

According to Jordan News Agency, the initiative is part of the “Promoting Green Activities in Industrial Enterprises” (GAIN) project, which aims to support comprehensive inclusion practices within Jordan’s industrial sector. The studies are designed to enhance physical accessibility within the work environment, adapt labor conditions to accommodate diverse needs, and strengthen corporate policies that promote a more inclusive workforce.

The Chamber’s statement on Wednesday highlighted that the project involves on-site field visits and technical assessments of manufacturing facilities. These assessments seek to identify barriers to entry and propose practical solutions for creating sustainable and inclusive work environments.

In addition to addressing physical infrastructure, the initiative includes capacity-building activities for factory management and staff. These training sessions are intended to equip industrial leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge to implement effective inclusion practices and manage a diverse workforce.

The Irbid Chamber of Industry emphasized that the project is in line with broader efforts to enhance the social sustainability of the industrial sector. This ensures that economic growth provides equitable opportunities for all segments of society while adhering to international labor standards.

Silwad: Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian man on Wednesday during a raid of Silwad village, east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Abdel Halim Hammad, 37, was killed by Israeli army fire and his body was held by the occupation army, it said in a statement.

According to Jordan News Agency, Israeli soldiers executed the man inside his home in front of his family after storming it. They arrested him after wounding him, and he was later pronounced dead. His father was also arrested but was later released, according to the ministry.

Hammad was the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old girl. His son was killed in 2021 by the Israeli army, and his body is still being held by the army.

Amman: Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), Adnan Al Sawair, and Swiss Ambassador to Jordan Emilia Georgieva met on Wednesday to explore enhanced cooperation on climate change adaptation projects in Wadi Musa.

According to Jordan News Agency, the discussions took place during a field visit by a Swiss delegation, conducted in coordination with Mercy Corps as part of the “Nature” project. The initiative aims to strengthen partnerships and coordination between various stakeholders to manage flood risks, preserve water resources, and address the climate and economic priorities of local communities.

Al Sawair noted that the partnership with the Swiss Embassy and Mercy Corps serves as an effective model for international cooperation. He emphasized that the implementation of high-quality projects in flood risk management and water efficiency is vital for protecting residents and ensuring the sustainability of regional development.

Ambassador Georgieva reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting local efforts to combat climate change. She stated that the ongoing projects reflect the importance of collaborative action with local communities to develop sustainable solutions for water management and disaster risk reduction.

The visit included field inspections of several major valleys in Wadi Musa, including Al-Sadr and Al-Maqar. The delegation reviewed the progress of check dams and storage reservoirs designed to mitigate flash flood risks and bolster the area’s resilience.

The delegation also visited Ain Musa, one of the region’s most significant historical water sources, to observe its role in supporting the sustainability of local water supplies.

As part of efforts to engage the local population, a dialogue session was held with community representatives and a local advocacy committee. The talks focused on the intersection of climate and economic challenges and explored efforts to enhance sustainable livelihoods, particularly for those whose income depends heavily on the tourism sector.

The visit falls within a broader framework of international cooperation aimed at increasing the readiness of the Petra region to face future environmental challenges while supporting long-term development goals.