Day: March 30, 2024

Amman: Products of the Jordanian pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies sector moved over the past quarter century to the global level, driven by its development, quality and competitiveness, which placed the Kingdom among the top countries in this strategic industry, according to a stakeholder.

Representative of Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Supply Sector in Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Fadi Atrash, said Jordan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies industry is considered a “vital” and “important” sector.

Atrash added that this industry carries many “tangible” successes and developments, and confirms commitment of its products to international specifications and standards to reach the “highest” level of competitive advantage.

In remarks to “Petra” on Saturday, he noted the sector has witnessed “remarkable” development over the years, and achieved “noticeable” growth and provide “high-quality” products that enjoy acceptance at the local and global levels, thanks to the “unrelenting” inn
ovation and efforts of its industrial facilities.

Atrash indicated that the pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies sector has succeeded in transforming from a “modest” local industry into a global industry, characterized by “high quality and strong competitive” capabilities.

Aditionally, he noted the sector’s long journey began in 1962, when the first pharmaceutical factory was established in the city of Salt, with Jordanian assistance and expertise.

Noting the sector’s key successes over the past years, he said added value created by its production operations reached about JD852 million in 2022, representing more than half of the sector’s total production.

This achievement, he noted, reflects “positively” on its contribution to the gross domestic product at a rate estimated at about 4%, which confirms its “important” role in advancing sustainable development and strengthening the Kingdom’s economy.

Atrash pointed out that the pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies sector’s facilities emp
loy approximately 10,000 workers.

The sector is also keen to employ local labor at various administrative and technical levels, as the rate of Jordanians recruited by the sector reached 98%, while women exceed 35% of the total workforce, he pointed out.

According to Atrash, the sector has a “huge” production capacity that operates more than 70% production lines.

He stated that the sector includes 151 facilities operating inside the Kingdom, with a registered capital of about JD341 million, while the number of Jordanian factories outside the country is 15 plants operating inside Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan.

During the past year 2023, he noted the sector achieved a “qualitative” leap at the export level, as its exports reached JD620 million with a growth rate of 19%, compared to 2022.

Meanwhile, he said its products “successfully” reached more than 77 countries around the world, making Jordan the only country in the region that exports more than it imports.

He stated that Jordan export
s more than 40% of its pharmaceutical production annually, accounting for approximately 5% of the Kingdom’s total national exports.

Atrash noted estimates indicate that the Kingdom has many export opportunities in the medical industry products with a value exceeding JD344 million to many countries around the world.

Under Economic Modernization Vision, he said goals aimed to increase exports to more than JD2.1 billion by 2033, reach the added value to about JD1.7 billion, increase the number of the sector workforce to reach 16,000 workers, and attract investments into the sector amounting to approximately JD1.1 billion, through 11 initiatives.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU DHABI: Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO), said that the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative, directed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, showcases the UAE’s enduring commitment to charitable and humanitarian endeavours, promoting a message of love and peace among nations.

Al Hamed further stated that the initiative marks a significant step in a remarkable journey of generosity and serves as a new channel for sustaining charitable efforts globally. This will ensure that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continues to be a beacon of philanthropy and assistance to the underprivileged without discrimination.

The Chairman of NMO stated that the initiative demonstrates the UAE’s dedication to addressing worldwide humanitarian crises and supports Zayed’s belief that true greatness is found in giving and assisting others.

He highlighted that humanitarian efforts in the UAE embody
a culture of generosity and support, showcased by the country’s leadership’s focus on executing sustainable projects and high-quality programmes to aid disadvantaged communities globally.

Al Hamed emphasised that the UAE’s philanthropic work is evident through practical actions and projects, embodying the essence of human kindness at its best. It was also stressed that the Emirati support is always offered with kindness, generosity, peace, and aid, solidifying its role as a leader in humanitarian efforts and a beacon of unity and compassion for humanity.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: Tunisian Ambassador to Jordan, Mufida Zaribi, said Jordan and Tunisia enjoy “strong ties” under the two countries’ leaderships, aimed to further strengthen and expand cooperation in various fields.

In remarks to journalists on the occasion of Tunisia’s National Day, the envoy noted the two countries aim to achieve a “distinguished” partnership, especially in this sensitive era to serve common interests.

The 10th session of the Tunisian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee will represent an opportunity to advance cooperation mechanisms, develop volume of exchanges, and stimulate transfer of expertise in various fields, she pointed out.

Additionally, the diplomat stressed the two leaderships’ keenness and their aspiration to achieve further coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest and support of Arab issues, primarily the Palestinian cause.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU D HABI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said that the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to drive sustainable growth and progress, particularly in the energy sector.

This came during His Highness’ visit today to the Bu Hasa oilfield where he met with Emirati ADNOC staff working at the field. He toured key facilities and operations, learning about the company’s efforts to leverage AI and advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and emissions reduction.

His Highness was accompanied during the visit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ruler’s Representative’s Court in the Al Dhafra Region, and Issa Hamad Bushahab, Advisor to His Highness the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, alo
ng with a number of officials.

‘I’m delighted to learn about ADNOC’s ongoing efforts to solidify the UAE’s leadership in global energy security. Their commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 is commendable. By empowering Emirati talent and deploying advanced AI and digital solutions in the energy sector, ADNOC is ensuring increased production efficiency, reduced emissions, and optimal utilisation of our national resources,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

During his meeting with ADNOC’s national staff, His Highness conveyed to them the greetings of His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed, stressing on His Highness’s keenness to provide all means of success for them to ensure their active contribution to the path of growth and prosperity of the country. Sheikh Hamdan emphasised on the importance of Emirati women’s participation across various sectors, including the energy sector, highlighting their proven ability and success in tackling diverse tasks within this field.

He praised the pivotal role played b
y the Emirati female cadres working in the Bu Hasa field, where they contribute through their different positions to the implementation of ADNOC’s plans to enhance efficiency, raise productivity and reduce emissions through the use of AI applications and tools and advanced technologies.

Upon his arrival at the Bu Hasa field, Sheikh Hamdan was received by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and the company’s executive management team.

ADNOC team presented Sheikh Hamdan with details on several strategic projects underway at the Bu Hasa field. These initiatives aim to achieve growth, enhance efficiency, and reduce emissions, notably the plans to increase production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to over 790,000 barrels per day and to increase associated gas production from 650 million cubic feet per day to more than 800 million cubic feet per day by 2027. This is in addition to strategic projects that include providing sustai
nable water supplies to the Bu Hasa and Bab fields. Other strategic projects include utilising treated seawater instead of groundwater in the Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, reducing energy consumption and emissions, and the project to employ water and gas injection technologies into reservoirs to enhance production. This is in addition to a proposed joint project to develop a bromine production facility, used in drilling fluids.

Sheikh Hamdan learned about the most prominent artificial intelligence and advanced technology techniques and tools used by ADNOC in monitoring operations and production processes in the field, which is considered one of the largest onshore production fields in the country and one of the 20 largest oil fields in the world in terms of proven oil reserves. This includes the use of digital well solutions, autonomous operations and remote monitoring technologies, and the development of the first AI-based advanced process control system in collaboration with AIQ, and the use of UA
E-made drones to detect potential greenhouse gas leaks, and to conduct accurate site and infrastructure inspections, as well as the use of electric submersible pumps connected to AI tools to help reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.

For his part, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “We highly appreciate the visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Bu Hasa field, which reflects the leadership’s keenness to follow up on all projects that contribute to strengthening sustainable economic and social development.

“ADNOC, a leading integrated energy company, is undergoing a significant transformation. By leveraging the latest advancements in AI technologies, ADNOC aims to accelerate progress on the company’s ambitious strategy. This includes reducing emissions, ensuring operational sustainability, and staying at the forefront of the industry. To achieve this, ADNOC is investing in developing the company’s national workforce, building a diverse and highly skilled team to deliver mor
e energy with lower emissions, to meet the ever-growing global demand.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

Tripoli: The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Haitham Al-Ghais, said that the world needs oil and that this need will continue for many years and decades. OPEC plays a prominent role in supporting and stabilizing oil markets, and that many relevant parties in the energy and oil industry are aware of this role.

Al-Ghais indicated in an interview with the Independent Arabia newspaper that the door is still open for Angola to return to the OPEC family, which decided to leave OPEC at the end of 2023, after a dispute with the group of producers regarding its production quota, which It is less than its actual capabilities.

Al-Ghais said: ‘Since its founding in 1960 by five oil-producing countries (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela), OPEC has still attracted many oil-producing countries that share the same vision and share its most prominent goal, which is coordinating oil efforts and policies among member countries in order to support the stability of global
oil markets. To this day we see the fruits of these efforts, as the number of members of the organization at the present time has reached 12 countries. Throughout the organization’s six-decade history, many oil-producing countries have joined, and some of them have withdrawn for various reasons related to internal trends in which the organization does not intervene in any way).

Source: Libyan News Agency

BETHLEHEM: An Israeli colonist today morning held a Palestinian youth from the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem.

Rami Hamamra, the director of the Housan Village Council, said that a colonist from the illegal colonial outpost of Sidi Boa held Basil Abdel Wahab Hamamra, 17, while he was herding sheep in the Al-Sharafa area in the village.

Yesterday, a group of Israeli colonists, heavily guarded by occupation army, raided the village using tractors and embarked on carrying out proactive actions against villagers.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Tripoli: The third workshop on surgical operations to correct scoliosis was concluded at the Benghazi Medical Center , Friday.

The center’s media office explained that the three workshops included performing (58) successful delicate surgical operations to correct scoliosis under the supervision of a visiting Egyptian medical team headed by spinal surgery consultant Hossam Salah.

The office added that performing spinal curvature repair operations comes within the Ministry of Health’s strategy to localize treatment at home, noting that the center intends to organize a fourth workshop after Eid al-Fitr.

For his part, the Minister of Health in the government appointed by the House of Representatives, Othman Abdel Jalil, praised the efforts of the Egyptian medical team in performing these delicate surgical operations and praised the interest of the national medical teams in benefiting from the workshops and delicate surgical operations in developing their capabilities and refining their expertise.

Source: Lib
yan News Agency

TUBAS: Two Palestinians were shot and injured today during an Israeli military incursion of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank.

Medical sources reported that the two Palestinian young men were injured by live bullets in the lower extremities and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Earlier morning, a large Israeli force raided the city of Tubas and deployed their forces across the streets and alleys, where they carried out wide-scale home raids and searches.

Undercover special forces further broke into the city from its eastern entrance, followed by military reinforcements accompanied by a bulldozer, coming from the Tayaseer checkpoint east of the city.

Later, the occupation surrounded a house and ordered via loudspeakers a young man to surrender himself.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Tripoli: Sabha Security Director, Major General Dr. Osama Owaidan, held a meeting with the security leaders of the directorate today Saturday morning to discuss the workflow of the directorate’s components.

During the meeting, Owaidan discussed the obstacles facing the security plan to secure the city of Sabha during the holy month of Ramadan and ways to solve them, according to what the official page of the directorate published on its Facebook account.

Source: Libyan News Agency

GAZA: Dozens of Palestinian civilians were killed today as Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes in Gaza City.

Medical sources reported that the occupation warplanes bombed a house for the Musa family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in the killing of several civilians and dozens of injuries. The strike also resulted in the massive destruction to the nearby houses.

The occupation army continues its military offensive against Al-Shifa Medical Complex and its surroundings west of Gaza Strip for over 10 days.

Furthermore, the soldiers further carried out heinous attacks against civilians and medical personnel from inside the Complex, involving executions, detentions, torture, and forced displacement.

In Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli tanks and warplanes have been carrying out intense and violent airstrikes and artillery shelling on different areas, particrully the eastern and western regions, targeting the vicinity of the Nasser Medical Complex.

A
dditionally, the Israeli military targeted the headquarters of the municipalities of Bureij and Zawaida in the central governorates of the Gaza Strip, putting them out of service.

The occupation warplanes also launched violent airstrikes targeting the vicinity of the Wadi Gaza Bridge north of the central governorate in the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, the occupation aircraft and artillery targeted homes and gatherings of displaced people in the Shujaiya Club, the Karni crossing area, the vicinity of Al-Shifa Hospital, and Al-Maghazi camp, resulting in the killing of 40 civilians and the injury of dozens.

Simultaneously, the Israeli military targeted a group of civilians in the Abasan Al-Kabira area, east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the killing of three civilians.

Israeli fighter jets launched a series of fire belts targeting the Khuza’a area, east of Khan Yunis, and the Abasan and Sufa areas, northeast of the city of Rafah.

The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught on Gaza
since October 7 has risen to 32,623 reported fatalities, with an additional 75,092 individuals sustaining injuries. The majority of the victims are women and children.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Tripoli: The team of the Security Inspection and Explosives Dismantling Office, Al-Wusta Branch, affiliated with the Criminal Investigation Service, succeeded in recovering war remnants in Tommina area behind the Shantin buildings in the city of Misrata, after receiving a report from a citizen.

The agency’s media office added that the remnants were transferred to storage units until they were destroyed in safe ways.

Source: Libyan News Agency

HEBRON: Israeli occupation forces today detained a Palestinian mother and her daughter while they were herding sheep in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.

Muhammad Rabi, the head of the Al-Tuwanah Village Council in Musafer Yatta, said that a large Israeli force detained Subha Al-Adra and her daughter Sanaa while they were herding sheep near their home in the village of Al-Tuwanah.

Following their detention, the mother along with her daughter were transferred to the Susiya illegal colony.

Rabi pointed out that the occupation forces have been escalating their violations and heinous attacks against Palestinian people and their proprieties in Masafer Yatta. These violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures.

Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA