Day: February 14, 2024

Amman: The Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation (JLGC) significantly enhanced its support for the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in 2023, offering guarantees for approximately 2,391 SME projects, with a collective value of JD312 million.

The figures underscore JLGC’s commitment to fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship in Jordan.

In a detailed breakdown provided by JLGC, it was noted that the corporation extended guarantees to 256 startups, injecting JD18 million into the burgeoning sector last year. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the foundation of the Jordanian economy by nurturing new enterprises.

Amid the ongoing efforts to mitigate the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, JLGC continued to offer guarantees to SMEs as part of the national program orchestrated in collaboration with the Central Bank of Jordan.

The program, which was extended until the end of April 2023, benefited 552 companies with financing totaling JD109.4 million, demonstrating a robust support mecha
nism for businesses grappling with the pandemic’s impacts.

The corporation also reported substantial activity within its microenterprise support program, backing 533 projects with guarantees worth approximately JD3.6 million. This initiative reflects JLGC’s dedication to empowering microenterprises, a critical sector for job creation and economic diversification.

Further expanding its support, JLGC played a pivotal role in facilitating trade and local sales through its export and local sales credit guarantee program. In 2023, the program covered 5,736 shipments, with a guaranteed value of around JD187.7 million, including 2,466 export shipments and 3,270 local sales shipments.

This extensive coverage not only aids in sustaining business operations but also encourages the expansion of Jordanian products into new markets.

Looking ahead to 2024, JLGC anticipates increased participation in its export credit guarantee program, especially following the initiation of the Industrial Support and Development Fund p
rogram in the latter half of 2023.

Forty-six Jordanian industrial exporters received approval to benefit from the program last year, with subsidies covering up to 35 thousand dinars per company annually for insurance costs, including guarantee fees and external buyer inquiries.

JLGC celebrated a 22% growth in total revenues for 2023, amounting to JD6.8 million, compared to JD5.6 million in 2022. This financial upturn was attributed to an increase in both operating and investment revenues, highlighting the corporation’s effective management and strategic initiatives.

The corporation’s total shareholders’ equity saw an increase to JD41.3 million at the end of 2023, from JD39.5 million the previous year, with total assets rising to JD740 million from JD715 million. JLGC’s net profits after tax also rose to JD1.8 million in 2023, up from JD1.2 million in 2022, marking a successful fiscal year.

In line with its strategy to reinforce its capital base, JLGC’s Board of Directors recommended against dividend distr
ibution for the 2023 fiscal year. A call has been made for the General Assembly to convene for its thirtieth regular meeting on March 26, 2024, to discuss future directions and strategies.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh is set to embark on an official visit to Japan on Thursday, engaging in high-level discussions with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida.

The talks aim to further strengthen the friendly bilateral relations between Jordan and Japan across various sectors.

Accompanied by key cabinet members, including Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ahmed Hanandeh, Minister of Investment Kholoud Saqqaf, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Touqan, Khasawneh will explore avenues to bolster cooperation and partnership with Japan.

The discussions will focus on expanding ties in economic development and investment, signaling a strong commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.

The visit will also provide an opportunity for Khasawneh to engage in political dialogues on pressing regional issues, notably the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip. The talks will address the Israeli aggression against Gaza, with a concerted effort to push for an immed
iate ceasefire.

Furthermore, Khasawneh aims to highlight the importance of delivering sustainable humanitarian aid and seeking a viable political resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Central to the discussions will be efforts for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, grounded in the two-state solution and supported by relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

This visit underscores the multifaceted relationship between Jordan and Japan, highlighting a shared commitment to peace, stability, and development in the region.

Source: Jordan News Agency

JENIN: Israeli occupation forces today set up a flying military checkpoint along the villages of Rummana and Zabuba, west of Jenin, causing a serious traffic jam.

Sources said that the occupation forces set up a flying military checkpoint along the said villages, where Israeli soldiers stopped and inspected the passengers and their ID.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces further intensified their measures in the vicinity of the two villages, during which troops were deployed across the streets and alleys.

The occupation also set up a checkpoint on the road linking the towns of Arraba and Ya’bad, and another at the Arraba roundabout, obstructing citizen’s movements and causing a serious traffic jam.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

GAZA: At least nine civilians today were killed and others were wounded in Israeli airstrikes that targeted different parts of Gaza City, according to local and medical sources.

Medical sources said that at least nine civilians, mostly are children and women, were killed in Israeli airstrikes that targeted homes in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, and Tal Al-Hawa in the southwest of the city.

The wounded individuals from the ongoing shelling were rushed to the Baptist Hospital in the city for medical treatment.

Israeli occupation forces committed 11 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, killing 103 people and wounding 145, bringing the death toll since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza to 28,576.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

JERUSALEM: Israeli occupation bulldozers today demolished a Palestinian-owned house in the town of Silwan in occupied Jerusalem.

Palestinian researcher specializing in Jerusalem affairs, Fakhri Abu Diab, said that Israeli police, accompanied by a bulldozer, raided the said town and proceeded to demolish his house in Al-Bustan neighborhood after forcing him and his family to evacuate it.

He added that he had received a demolition order against his house 15 years ago, under the pretext that it was built without a permit.

Abu Diab pointed out that Israeli occupation forces demolished his house as a part of the collective punishment policy against his family, who stands against colonial operations and expansion and land seizures in the Silwan neighborhoods.

He pointed out that two families live in the house along with his family, adding that it includes 10 individuals who have now become homeless.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

RAMALLAH: South Africa’s deputy permanent representative to the UN expressed concern Tuesday over a possible Israeli assault on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which is home to more than 1 million people seeking refuge from Israel’s war on the enclave.

“The announcement of expanded military operations in Rafah, which has turned into a de facto refugee camp, further perpetuates the displacement of Palestinians and threatens civilians’ almost non-existent livelihoods,” Marthinus van Schalkwyk told a UN Security Council meeting on the maintenance of international peace and security.

This completely disregards the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued on Jan. 26, he added.

His remarks came after South Africa asked the ICJ to urgently assess Israel’s intentions to expand its military presence in Rafah, urging it to consider whether it required the court to use its power to prevent a further breach of Palestinians’ rights.

In late 2023, South Africa filed a case at the UN court,
accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The ICJ, in its interim January ruling, said South Africa’s claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures for Israel’s government to desist from genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

“This Council continues to witness the devastating effects of armed conflict on civilians, exacerbating humanitarian crises, as well as food and nutrition insecurity.

“This is a blatant disregard of international humanitarian law, especially non-protection of non-combatants caught in the crossfire, as well as the deliberate denial of access to humanitarian relief, which remains prevalent,” Van Schalkwyk said.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

GAZA: A number of Palestinian citizens, including children and women, were killed and injured at Wednesday in raids launched by occupation aircraft and artillery shelling that targeted various areas of the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to an ongoing brutal aggression for the 131st day in a row.

Health sources said that several citizens, including children and women, were killed and injured as a result of an Israeli bombing of a site east of Deir al-Balah, adding that Israeli drones targeted a house in Nuseirat in the middle of the Gaza Strip.

Al-Qarara area, northeast of Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, came under fire from Israeli helicopters, coinciding with heavy gunfire east of Al-Maghazi.

The Ministry of Health said earlier yesterday evening that three citizens were killed and 10 others were injured inside the Nasser Medical Complex by Israeli sniper bullets.

Six citizens, including children and women, were killed on Tuesday evening, in a raid launched by the Israeli occupation airc
raft on a civilian vehicle on Al-Jalaa Street, north of Gaza City.

A citizen was killed and another injured, in a bombing by Israeli drones that targeted the vicinity of Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

The Israeli occupation army committed 16 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of 133 and injuring 162 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the non-final toll since October 7 to 28,473 slain civilians and 68,146 injured.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

Amman: The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply has approved the 2024 implementation plan for the National Export Strategy (2023-2025).

According to a ministry statement issued on Wednesday, the achievement rate of the operational plan for quick wins in the first year of the strategy reached 87%.

Key activities implemented during the past year included the launch of the Market Information Platform at the Export House Company, supporting the participation of Jordanian private sector companies in 12 international exhibitions and trade missions to targeted markets, including Spain, Germany, Qatar, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Egypt. The ministry also restructured the National Committee for Facilitating Transport and Trade and held 5 workshops to introduce targeted markets and trade agreements for the industrial and commercial sectors.

As part of the strategy, the ministry prepared two evaluation studies of the free trade agreements signed with trading partners during the past year and held two worksh
ops for 100 currently exporting industrial and agricultural companies on the quality of technical compliance of Jordanian products for targeted global markets.

Last year, the ministry launched the Export Acceleration Program for Goods, implemented in cooperation with the Export House Company at a total cost of JD5 million over two years for small and medium-sized enterprises. It also launched the Export Activation Program for the Consulting Services Sector, which will be implemented in cooperation with the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, targeting 30 companies.

During a meeting chaired by the Secretary-General of the Ministry, Dana Al-Zou’bi, the 2024 implementation plan was approved. The plan will be implemented by the technical working teams emanating from the National Executive Committee for the National Export Strategy. It includes a number of activities targeting green trade, completing a number of awareness workshops, organizing participation in in
ternational exhibitions, and awareness campaigns on the importance of keeping up with the Jordanian product’s compliance with international specifications. The plan also includes awareness workshops on trade in services, preparing a number of guidelines to provide the necessary information for exporting companies, and conducting analytical market studies for companies supporting the export of products targeted in the implementation plan.

Al-Zou’bi pointed out that there are a number of promising markets that should be focused on during the next phase, the most important of which is Rwanda. She stressed the need to organize trade missions targeting a number of goods and services sectors. She also noted that work is underway to develop a digital tracking tool to monitor the progress of a number of the ministry’s strategies and plans, including the implementation plan for the National Export Strategy.

The National Export Strategy (2023-2025) was approved last year as part of the Economic Modernization Vision.
A decision was issued by the Prime Minister to form the National Team to follow up on the implementation of the activities included in the strategy with the participation of all concerned parties from the public and private sectors.

Source: Jordan News Agency

_: Al-Shawarbeh pointed out during his review of the 2017-2023 key achievements that 4835 dunums were planted as new green spaces, 7 parks were established, and 77 others were rehabilitated, and the number of trees and shrubs planted reached 535,000, of which 20,000 were planted in the phosphate hills lands.

In the public works sector, the value of infrastructure projects and works reached JD252 million, and the value of establishing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects, street marking, traffic signs installing, street lighting, traffic lights and lighting poles, and surveillance camera systems installing reached JD158 million, as did the establishment of the sixth and fifth cells in the Ghabawi landfill at a cost of JD13 million.

On the planning sector, Al-Shawarbeh explained that the organized area of ??Amman is 419 square kilometers, which constitutes only 52.7% of its total area of ??795 square kilometers, pointing out that 11795 electronic transactions were completed in the field of organization, and 7
4062 electronic site organization blueprints documents.

He added that there are services that are carried out with artificial intelligence (AI), meaning without human intervention, namely the site organization blueprint, a quittance, a lease contract ratification, and the renewal of professional licenses, in addition to extracting traffic violations.

He added that the Ghabawi landfill is a success story at the regional level, as about 45% of GAM’s electricity bill is covered by converting the Ghabawi landfill waste to methane gas and then converting it to energy.

He said that GAM has won a number of Arab and international awards and hosts two institutions of the Arab Cities Organization: the Arab Cities Cultural Working Group and the Arab Smart Cities Forum.

In turn, Chairman of the Capital Governorate Council, Ahmad Al-Abdallat, stressed that GAM and the Council are linked by a joint service goal towards the capital and providing the best service to the citizen. He called for setting up a joint higher co
mmittee between the Capital Governorate Council and GAM, chaired by Deputy Mayor of Amman, Muhammad Rasmi Al-Qaisi, and includes representatives from both sides.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Israeli media reported that at least 10 missiles were launched toward Israeli military targets in northern occupied Palestine by Hezbollah, killing an Israeli troop and injuring 7 others.

They explained that sirens were triggered in many settlements in the North, including “Netu’a”, Upper occupied al-Jalil, and Safad as many explosions were also heard.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon opened exceptionally strategic fires on Safad and al-Manara. The resistance also launched missiles with one landing near the Israeli Northern Command, another at the Safad Industrial Zone, and others at several areas.

The media stated that 8 missiles were launched toward Safad this morning with one hitting a building in the city citing the mayor of Safad who announced that “Missiles did not fall inside the city, rather struck bases around it.”

Israeli media stressed that the missiles used by Hezbollah to target Safad were probably precision missiles, emphasizing that the Iron Dome had failed to intercept them all.

Further
stressing, the media stated that the range reached by the missiles launched this time is the longest so far, indicating that there has been a gradual increase in the targeting range magnitude from Hebzbollah’s end.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Israeli media reported that at least 10 missiles were launched toward Israeli military targets in northern occupied Palestine by Hezbollah, killing an Israeli troop and injuring 7 others.

They explained that sirens were triggered in many settlements in the North, including “Netu’a”, Upper occupied al-Jalil, and Safad as many explosions were also heard.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon opened exceptionally strategic fires on Safad and al-Manara. The resistance also launched missiles with one landing near the Israeli Northern Command, another at the Safad Industrial Zone, and others at several areas.

The media stated that 8 missiles were launched toward Safad this morning with one hitting a building in the city citing the mayor of Safad who announced that “Missiles did not fall inside the city, rather struck bases around it.”

Israeli media stressed that the missiles used by Hezbollah to target Safad were probably precision missiles, emphasizing that the Iron Dome had failed to intercept them all.

Further
stressing, the media stated that the range reached by the missiles launched this time is the longest so far, indicating that there has been a gradual increase in the targeting range magnitude from Hebzbollah’s end.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a cable of congratulations to Dr. Alexander Stubb on the occasion of being elected as the new president of the Republic of Finland.

In the cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere sentiments and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Dr. Alexander Stubb. His Majesty also wished him success in realizing aspirations of the people of Finland, wishing the relations between the two countries further progress and prosperity.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a cable of greetings to President Aleksandar Vucic of the Republic of Serbia on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

In the cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere sentiments and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Vucic. His Majesty also wished the people of Serbia further progress and prosperity.

Source: Oman News Agency