Day: March 9, 2024

GAZA: Two Palestinian civilians were killed and seven others sustained injuries in an Israeli airstrike this afternoon which targeted the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, according to local sources.

Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli warplanes targeted a residential building in the camp upon the heads of its occupants. The strike resulted in the tragic murder of two individuals, while seven others were wounded, suffering from various injuries.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has so far resulted in over 30,960 reported fatalities, most of whom are children and women, with an additional 72,524 documented injuries, according to the Ministry of Health.

This toll remains provisional as thousands of victims are feared dead under rubble or left in the streets, with Israeli forces hindering access for ambulance and civil defense crews.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Amman: Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) exports amounted to JD926 million during the last two months of 2024, compared to JD1.272 billion for the same period last year.

According to statistical data obtained by “Petra,” exports of 5 sectors recorded an increase, while the rest dropped by a rate ranging between 5% for the catering, food, agricultural, livestock, engineering, electrical, and information technology sectors, and 58% for the mining sector.

During the last two months of 2024, India, the United States Saudi Arabia and Iraq accounted for the majority of ACI’s exports, recording a combined value of JD573 million.

The chamber’s exports to the United States surged during the past two months of 2024 to about JD211 million, compared to JD195 million for the same period last year, by 8%.

Statistical data showed that ACI’s exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 15% during the last two months of 2024, reaching about JD138 million, compared to JD120 million for the same period last year.

ACI’s exports to Ir
aq went down by 10% during the last two months of 2024, reaching JD151 million, compared to JD136 million for the same period last year.

On the other hand, the chamber’s exports to India declined during the last two months of 2024 to JD73 million, compared to JD238 million for the same period last year, marking a decrease of 69%.

During the last two months of 2024, the chamber’s exports were distributed among the mining industries sectors with a value of JD196 million, while its exports of engineering, electrical and information technology sectors were worth about JD157 million and chemicals and cosmetics stood at JD152 million.

Exports of the catering, food, agricultural and livestock sectors amounted to about JD132 million, while therapeutic and medical supplies amounted to JD101 million and leather and textiles amounted to JD75 million.

The rest of ACI’s exports during the last two months of 2024 were distributed among the packaging, paper, cardboard, and office supplies sectors, with a value of JD46 m
illion.

Meanwhile, plastic and rubber exports stood at 45 million, construction hit about JD19 million and wood and furniture industries amounted to JD4 million.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: ordan imported a total of 310,000 tablets during the past year worth JD49.5 million.

According to a statement by Vision Association for Mobile Devices Investors Saturday, the Kingdom’s tablet market witnessed “noticeable” changes compared to previous years, as 451,000 tablet devices were imported, worth JD51 million in 2022, while 359,000 tablets worth JD49 million were imported in 2021.

The association’s president, Ahmed Alloush, said these figures do not reflect changes in demand over the years, but also embody development in the quality and diversity of tablets available in local markets, as various options are available in terms of prices and quality, which meet needs and budgets of different consumers.

Alloush pointed out that the association is working to strengthen partnerships with global suppliers to ensure continuity of providing “high-quality” tablets at “affordable” prices to the local market.

Additionally, he voiced the association’s commitment to support development of the cellular ma
rket and enhance awareness of the importance of technology in improving life quality and expanding learning horizons.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: Israeli occupation committed 10 massacres against Gaza families, claiming 82 Palestinians and 122 injuries during the past 24 hours, Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip said.

In the daily report on causalities by the ongoing Israeli aggression in its 155th consecutive day on Gaza, the ministry said a number of victims are still under rubble and on roads, as the occupation bars ambulance and civil defense crews from reaching victims.

To date, Gaza death toll by Israeli aggression rose to 30,960 martyrs and 72,524 injuries since last October 7 and 72% of the victims were children and women.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Standard and Poor’s (SandP), the sovereign credit rating agency, has reaffirmed Jordan’s B+/B credit rating with a stable outlook, underscoring the nation’s resilience amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional geopolitical tensions.

SandP commended Jordan for its effective implementation of fiscal and monetary structural reforms, designed to spur growth and reduce national debt.

These reforms, focusing on enhancing tax compliance, revitalizing investment, and improving the ease of doing business, are expected to position Jordan on a sustainable path of economic activity and a gradual debt reduction to 78.9% of GDP by 2027.

The rating agency also noted Jordan’s “adequate domestic policy buffers” as a key factor in mitigating the impact of regional conflicts on tourism and the wider economy.

The approval of a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending program on January 10 was highlighted as a significant factor in maintaining the stable rating, along with Jordan’s strong relations wi
th donors and multilateral institutions.

These elements collectively differentiate Jordan from other regional countries facing downgrades due to the instability’s potential ramifications and transmission risks.

Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ responded to the rating’s outlook by emphasizing the government’s commitment to macrofiscal stability through prudent fiscal policies, which prioritize the protection of the middle class’s standard of living despite regional unrest.

“This affirmation demonstrates an additional testament confirming the success of the government’s prudent fiscal policies taken to defend Jordan’s macrofiscal stability,” Al-Ississ stated.

Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), Adel Al-Sharkas, attributed the credit rating affirmation and stable economic outlook to Jordan’s enduring economic stability, achieved even in the face of unfavorable geopolitical and economic conditions globally.

Al-Sharkas highlighted the CBJ’s success in maintaining monetary stability, safeguarding t
he currency peg with high reserves totaling $18.1 billion, and achieving the lowest dollarization rate since 2016 at 17.7%.

He also pointed to Jordan’s adequate inflation levels, which stood at 2.1% in 2023 and decreased to 2.0% in January 2024, and the financial system’s robust risk management capabilities.

This reaffirmation from SandP reflects confidence in Jordan’s strategic economic policies and its ability to navigate through regional and global challenges, maintaining its trajectory towards fiscal stability and economic growth.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi said Saturday that Jordan is keen to offer all support for Iraq’s security and stability and reconstruction in the country, stressing the need to further cement the already deep relations between the two countries in various fields.

Welcoming President of the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq Jassim Abboud and court members, Safadi stressed the need to implement signed bilateral agreements and tripartite accords with Egypt toward achieving economic integration.

Iraq’s security and stability is a key pillar of regional security and stability, he said, stressing Jordan’s support of efforts to restore Iraq’s leading Arab and regional role and enhance cooperation in the judicial field.

For his part, the head of the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court said his country highly valued Jordan’s support of his country, noting the Kingdom’s moderate approach to enhance regional security and stability.

He said the Federal Court in Iraq seeks cooperation with constitutional courts in the re
gion, including Jordan, to promote constitutional values and build judicial relations for the service of peoples to promote human, ethical and social values.

The President of the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq is visiting at the invitation of the Jordanian Constitutional Court, during which he signed a memorandum of understanding in the judicial field.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Makram Qaisi, along with Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board, and representatives from 26 tourism offices and the Royal Jordanian, recently participated in the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade exhibition held from March 5-8.

The event, attracting 5,500 participants from 111 countries and over 90,000 visitors, provided a platform for Jordan to promote its diverse tourism offerings, including religious, archaeological, therapeutic, adventure, and community tourism.

Qaisi engaged in numerous press interviews, aiming to project Jordan as an inviting destination for global tourists.

Efforts to foster intra-regional tourism were discussed with Arab counterparts, highlighting the Middle East’s unique position in achieving a real tourism recovery post-2019.

Meetings with officials from Rwanda and Ethiopia furthered discussions on breaking stereotypes about the Middle East and promoting Jordan’s image abroad.

A significant dev
elopment was the signing of a memorandum of understanding declaring Aqaba a green tourist destination, expected to attract environmentally conscious Western tourists.

Additionally, agreements with low-cost and charter airlines were signed to mitigate recent tourism cancellations and bolster the sector’s recovery.

The Tourism Promotion Authority’s ambitious plans include opening new markets through 6 contracts with charter airlines from Europe, introducing 72 flights to Jordan starting May until the end of the year.

The Berlin International Travel and Tourism Exhibition served as a crucial venue for Jordan to communicate with the global tourism sector, with the Jordan Tourism Board launching extensive marketing campaigns, including advertising on 100 taxis in Berlin.

The campaigns aimed to attract more tourists, with a notable 59% increase in German visitors to Jordan in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Arabiyat emphasized the importance of Jordan’s active participation in the exhibition, which saw sig
nificant interest from tourism decision-makers worldwide. The Jordanian pavilion’s engagements with industry representatives aimed at promoting Jordan’s unique attractions and promising tourism prospects.

On the exhibition’s sidelines, the Petra Tourism Development Region Authority engaged with numerous companies, signing agreements to enhance Petra’s global tourism standing. The flight schedule to Jordan now includes new flights from Slovakia, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria, marking a significant step towards reviving Jordan’s tourism industry.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Saturday voiced support for the United Nations Security Council’s resolution demanding a ceasefire in Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting hopes for an end to months of conflict in the Arab nation.

Sufyan Qudah, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the resolution, which won the backing of a majority of the Security Council’s members, could mark the start of efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan.

“The ministry views the advent of Ramadan as an opportune moment for all parties to commit to a ceasefire and commence a comprehensive national dialogue,” Qudah stated, emphasizing the dialogue should prioritize Sudan’s national interest and aim to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity while protecting the lives of its citizens.

Source: Jordan News Agency

RAMALLAH: Israeli colonists erected a mobile house today on a Palestinian land in the town of Sinjil, located north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources.

The Mayor of Sinjil, Muataz Tawafsheh, told WAFA that a group of colonists set up a tent and a caravan on a land belonging to local Palestinian residents near the Israeli military checkpoint north of the town.

He explained that Israeli occupation forces have been preventing residents from accessing their lands in the northern area of the town since October 7th, and have prohibited them from harvesting olives.

According to him, the situation has recently escalated with increased Israeli military orders seizing control of lands in the town for military purposes, as well as for expanding existing settlements and the roads connecting them.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

GENEVA: President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric Eggertoday said that the war in the Gaza Strip has destroyed ‘all meanings of common humanity.’

Spoliatric said, in a statement, that after five months of the aggression, ‘the situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating by the hour, and there is no safe place to go.’

She added, “This brutal war has broken all sense of common humanity.”

“Israel, as the occupying power, must meet the basic needs of the population or facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid,” Mirjana added.

The head of the committee affirmed that ‘a regular and large flow of humanitarian aid to meet needs is only part of the solution’ in Gaza, calling on the parties to ‘conduct their military operations in a way that avoids civilians caught in the middle of all this’ and respects international humanitarian law.

‘This is the dividing line between humanity and barbarism,’ she stressed.

The occupation authorities do not allow aid trucks
from the Arab Republic of Egypt to enter except in small quantities, according to the United Nations, which warns that 2.2 million Palestinians out of 2.4 million residents are threatened with famine, with a major shortage of food and drinking water.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Doha: Qatari markets have recently begun to witness an “increasing” demand for Jordanian food and consumer goods and products, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

In statements to “Petra” Saturday, Qatari merchants and importers said this phenomenon happens every year during Ramadan and the days preceding the holy month, adding the country witnesses this “large and unusual” demand for various types and varieties of goods and food products imported from Jordan.

The traders added that this demand is normal for consumers, who are keen to choose high-quality products that reflect cultural diversity, which is the case for Jordanian food products.

Source: Jordan News Agency

GAZA: At least 10 Palestinian civilians were killed, including children, and others injured today in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to local and medical sources.

The sources reported that 10 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in the airstrike which targeted a house belonging to the Naweri family in the refugee camp.

Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli occupation forces committed 10 massacres in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the murder of 82 civilians and injuring 122 others, according to the local health authorities.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has so far resulted in over 30,960 reported fatalities, most of whom are children and women, with an additional 72,524 documented injuries, according to the Ministry of Health.

This toll remains provisional as thousands of victims are feared dead under rubble or left in the streets, with Israeli forces hindering access for ambulance and civil defense crews.

Source:
Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA