Latest news with #Amman
Al Bawaba
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan officially dissolves itself amid security crackdown
Published July 22nd, 2025 - 06:21 GMT The now-dissolved association was formed in 2015 as a legally recognized alternative to the original Muslim Brotherhood group, which was disbanded by court order. ALBAWABA- In a surprise announcement, the Muslim Brotherhood Association in Jordan declared on Tuesday that it has permanently dissolved itself, citing "national interest" and a rejection of clandestine activity. Also Read Jordan participates in extinguishing fires in Syria The group issued a formal statement confirming the decision to cease all legal and administrative operations under the Jordanian Parties Law, effectively ending its official presence in the country. The announcement comes in the wake of escalating government pressure, including a ban on the group's activities, the closure of its offices, the confiscation of its assets, and the arrest of several of its members. Authorities allege that some members were involved in planning operations that posed a threat to national security, including the use of drones and domestically produced rockets. — Roya News English (@RoyaNewsEnglish) July 22, 2025 These developments culminated in a major government decision on April 22, 2025, when Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya announced that the Brotherhood's offices would be shuttered and any further activities deemed illegal. The Ministry of Interior had previously classified the association as illegal, stating that it had failed to comply with legal and organizational requirements. Security officials added that investigations had uncovered both internal and external links that were deemed dangerous to the state's stability. The now-dissolved association was formed in 2015 as a legally recognized alternative to the original Muslim Brotherhood group, which was disbanded by court order. Since then, it had continued limited political and social activity through the Islamic Action Front (IAF), its political arm, which had managed to secure parliamentary seats and play a role in public discourse. Also Read Turkey unveils hypersonic ballistic missile TAYFUN Block-4 Analysts say this move represents the official termination of the Brotherhood's legal standing in Jordan and reflects a hardened government stance toward political movements with Islamist affiliations. The decision also comes amid growing opposition calls for a comprehensive national political dialogue and greater tolerance for pluralism in the political landscape. The Muslim Brotherhood has denied any involvement in alleged plots to destabilize the country and has yet to issue a response to the latest announcement. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Jordan: Hybrid vehicle imports surge by 31% in H1 2025
AMMAN — The hybrid vehicles cleared for the local market during the first half of 2025 rose by 31 per cent, reaching 6,834 units compared with 5,197 in the same period last year, marking an increase of 1,637 vehicles, according to figures released on Monday by the Jordan Free Zone Investor Commission (JFZIC). Despite this increase, overall vehicle clearance activity from the Zarqa Free Zone to the domestic market declined by 9 per cent in the same period, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. A total of 30,782 vehicles were cleared this year until June, down from 33,954 vehicles in the first half of 2024, recoding a decrease of 3,172 vehicles. Representative of the of the automobile sector at the JFZIC Jihad Abu Nasser attributed the drop to shifts in consumer demand and the impact of recent regulatory and tax measures, particularly those affecting electric vehicles. He noted that several vehicle categories saw a downturn, including electric and diesel models. Clearance of electric vehicles fell by 17 per cent, with 18,816 units processed compared with 22,604 in the same period last year, marking a decrease of 3,788 vehicles. Diesel vehicle clearances dropped sharply by 31 per cent to 2,379 units, compared with 3,470 vehicles in the first half of 2024. Gasoline vehicle clearances remained "relatively" stable, recording a "slight" increase of 3 per cent. The number of gasoline-powered cars cleared rose from 2,683 to 2,753, with an increase of 70 vehicles. Re-export activity from the free zones posted strong growth, with vehicle exports increasing by 67 per cent. A total of 39,641 vehicles were re-exported in the January-June of 2025, up from 23,796 in the same period of 2024, marking an increase of 15,846 vehicles. Abu Nasser said that the robust re-export growth underscores the responsiveness of Jordan's free zones to regional market demands, particularly from Syria and Iraq. He stressed that the decline in local market clearances, combined with changes in consumer preferences and new policies, highlights the need for regulatory clarity and a stable investment environment. Abu Nasser added that the commission continues to monitor these developments 'closely' due to their significant impact on the vehicle sector and investment activity in the free zones, Petra reported.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Public debt servicing in 2024 up by 14.4% — CBJ
AMMAN — The Central Bank of Jordan's (CBJ) annual report of the National Payments System revealed a 14.4 per cent increase in public debt servicing last year compared with 2023. According to the report, debt servicing reached JD4.8 billion in 2024, compared with JD4.2 billion in 2023, Al Mamlaka TV reported. The report indicated that debt servicing included the payment of interest on public debt issuances reached JD1.1 billion in 2024, compared with JD997 million during 2023, representing an increase of 19.4 per cent. The total value of public debt instruments issued in the market reached some JD5.5 billion in 2024 compared with JD5.2 billion in 2023, marking a 6 per cent increase. The issuances included bonds, sukuk, treasury bills, and other debt instruments, were the increase aimed at meeting government financing needs, according to the report. The Public Debt Management and Open Market Operations System (DEPO/X) is an integrated system under the CBJ for the registration and settlement of government securities. The system aims to enhance the efficiency of trading and settlement processes for government securities. It integrates seamlessly with the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system, allowing banks to trade government securities securely and flexibly through buy-sell transactions. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: $2.6bln is annual production volume for mining industries sector
AMMAN — Statistical data from the Jordan Chamber of Industry (CJI) showed that the mining industries sector enjoys high production capacities of about JD1.93 billion annually, while the added value of the total production constitutes 65.1 per cent. The statistical data monitored on Saturday by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, indicated that the sector's contribution to the Gross Domestic Production (GDP) amounted to 2.6 per cent in 2024, while employing about 8,000 workers, of which 90 per cent constitute the local workforce. The sector's exports in 2024 amounted to JD1.032 billion, reaching more than 61 markets around the world, with India and Indonesia accounting for 50 per cent of its total exports, according to the JCI. The sector's products constitute an "important" and "complementary" part of all industrial sectors, as the mining industries products are "essential" to all industrial sectors. The products of this sector are also considered a "final" product for the local consumer, as well as a "productive" input for a number of industries, especially specialised fertilisers, Dead Sea products and others. The mining sector is one of the "largest" industrial sectors nationwide, with both phosphate and crude potash being one of Jordan's most important natural resources. The sector consists of large industries in terms of the volume of investments, which contribute "significantly" to the employment of the local workforce and cover the market need for primary, intermediate and final products. The sector is characterised by the use of the "latest" scientific methods of extracting and mining natural resources and converting them into products for export or local consumption. While there are many "positive" expectations for the sector with increasing "local" added value and investment in new fields such as oil shale and uranium. The statistical data prepared by the Department of Studies and Strategies in Jordan Industry, indicated the need to work on activating the exploitation of "unused" raw materials in the Kingdom in order to elevate the sector and meet the increasing demand locally and globally. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Fitch raises Jordan's 2025 growth forecast amid strong Q1 performance
AMMAN — Fitch Solutions has revised its 2025 real GDP growth forecast for Jordan upward from 1.6 per cent to 2.0 per cent, citing 'stronger-than-expected' economic performance in the first quarter of the year. Fitch's forecast follows data from the Department of Statistics, showing a 2.7 per cent year-on-year expansion in Q1 2025, driven primarily by a rebound in the manufacturing sector. According to the report, manufacturing, accounting for 17.7 per cent of GDP, grew by 5.1 per cent in real terms, marking its strongest quarterly performance since early 2008. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the economy grew 0.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter, maintaining the momentum observed since Q1 2024. The report warned that the remainder of 2025 is expected to bring challenges. 'Economic activity will slow from Q2 onwards as the impacts of US protectionism begin to weigh on domestic industries.' US tariffs loom over H2 The downturn is expected to be driven by new US tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, under a trade policy announced by President Donald Trump. These tariffs, anticipated to range between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, will apply to goods exported from Jordan, potentially undermining the country's key export sectors including textiles, jewelry, and fertilizers. 'Despite longstanding economic cooperation between the US and Jordan, there is little to suggest that the Kingdom has made progress on a revised trade agreement with the US. As such, our current view is that tariffs on goods exported by Jordan will increase to somewhere between 10-20 per cent on August 1. Given the importance of the US market to Jordan's economy, we still expect this to have a significant impact on Jordan's near-term growth outlook. Indeed, even with just the 10% baseline tariff applied, Jordan's trade deficit widened considerably JD1, 143.3 million in April, the widest recorded deficit. With labour intensive sectors such as manufacturing (textiles, jewellery, and fertilisers) expected to experience a demand shock in H2, the report projects that unemployment will tick up from 21.3 per cent at end-2024 to 22.9 per cent by end-2025. 'This will exert some downward pressure on consumer spending, offsetting the impact of low inflation, price growth came in at just 2.0 per cent y-o-y in May - and monetary easing on disposable incomes. Indeed, we expect inflation to average just 1.6 per cent in 2025, thanks to muted global energy prices.' Fitch expects the Central Bank of Jordan to follow the US Federal Reserve in easing rates, projecting a 50-basis-point cut to 6.00 per cent by the end of 2025. Brighter outlook for 2026 Looking ahead, Fitch projects that real GDP growth will accelerate to 2.8 per cent in 2026 as US tariffs fade and regional trade opportunities improve. A modest recovery in export volumes is expected, particularly as US buyers shift toward lower-tariff sources and regional markets such as Iraq and Syria reopen. Improved investor confidence could drive an uptick in fixed capital formation, and slightly lower unemployment (to 22.3 per cent) combined with lower global energy prices could provide a boost to household consumption, according to the report. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
