Latest news with #InnovativePathways
Zawya
14-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Industry minister highlights efforts to empower women, boost economic participation
AMMAN: Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah on Wednesday stressed the government's commitment to prioritising women's empowerment across all sectors, reflecting the Kingdom's broader approach to fostering a comprehensive societal role for women, as outlined by Royal directives. Qudah made his remarks during a panel discussion organised by the ministry to celebrate International Women's Day, in collaboration with the "Innovative Pathways" project aimed at supporting employment through private sector growth, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The minister noted that the government's Economic Modernisation Vision adopts a "holistic and sustainable" approach to enhance women's economic involvement. He highlighted several significant initiatives led by the ministry, such as the creation of the Women's Empowerment Unit, the formation of a national team for supporting women-owned businesses, and the introduction of the 2024 Governance Instructions for Shareholding Companies, which mandate at least 20 per cent female representation on company boards. The government has adopted a national definition for women-owned or women-managed enterprises and established policies to promote women's participation in government procurement, all part of its efforts to improve women's economic standing, he pointed out. The minister added that 108 women-owned or women-managed businesses have been supported through the Industrial Support Fund, with plans to support at least 50 more in the near future. He also said that the government seeks to establish nurseries in industrial cities, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The session was attended by "prominent" businesswomen, industry and commerce representatives, officials from the German embassy in Amman, the (I-PSD/GIZ) programme, as well as key stakeholders from women's organisations and the private sector. Dana Zoubi, the ministry's secretary-general and leader of the national team for empowering women-owned businesses, presented an update on the achievements made to increase women's participation in the economy. Zoubi noted that future initiatives will focus on providing advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses, especially concerning legal and regulatory matters, improving communication with government bodies, and increasing knowledge about the rights of shareholders and board members. She also cited efforts to showcase the successes of Jordanian businesswomen, create incubators within industrial zones, and build an interactive database and networking platforms to connect female entrepreneurs. Regarding export growth and market access, Zoubi referred to initiatives to build export capacity, including launching financial support programmes and raising awareness about financing options, pointing out that the ministry plans to support businesses in effectively integrating e-commerce into their operations. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
13-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Industry minister highlights efforts to empower women, boost economic participation
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah, during a panel discussion to celebrate International Women's Day, says that the government's Economic Modernisation Vision adopts a "holistic and sustainable" approach to enhance women's economic involvement (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah on Wednesday stressed the government's commitment to prioritising women's empowerment across all sectors, reflecting the Kingdom's broader approach to fostering a comprehensive societal role for women, as outlined by Royal directives. Qudah made his remarks during a panel discussion organised by the ministry to celebrate International Women's Day, in collaboration with the "Innovative Pathways" project aimed at supporting employment through private sector growth, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The minister noted that the government's Economic Modernisation Vision adopts a "holistic and sustainable" approach to enhance women's economic involvement. He highlighted several significant initiatives led by the ministry, such as the creation of the Women's Empowerment Unit, the formation of a national team for supporting women-owned businesses, and the introduction of the 2024 Governance Instructions for Shareholding Companies, which mandate at least 20 per cent female representation on company boards. The government has adopted a national definition for women-owned or women-managed enterprises and established policies to promote women's participation in government procurement, all part of its efforts to improve women's economic standing, he pointed out. The minister added that 108 women-owned or women-managed businesses have been supported through the Industrial Support Fund, with plans to support at least 50 more in the near future. He also said that the government seeks to establish nurseries in industrial cities, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The session was attended by "prominent" businesswomen, industry and commerce representatives, officials from the German embassy in Amman, the (I-PSD/GIZ) programme, as well as key stakeholders from women's organisations and the private sector. Dana Zoubi, the ministry's secretary-general and leader of the national team for empowering women-owned businesses, presented an update on the achievements made to increase women's participation in the economy. Zoubi noted that future initiatives will focus on providing advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses, especially concerning legal and regulatory matters, improving communication with government bodies, and increasing knowledge about the rights of shareholders and board members. She also cited efforts to showcase the successes of Jordanian businesswomen, create incubators within industrial zones, and build an interactive database and networking platforms to connect female entrepreneurs. Regarding export growth and market access, Zoubi referred to initiatives to build export capacity, including launching financial support programmes and raising awareness about financing options, pointing out that the ministry plans to support businesses in effectively integrating e-commerce into their operations.
Ammon
13-03-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Industry Minister highlights efforts to empower women, boost economic participation
Ammon News - Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah emphasized the government's commitment to prioritizing women's empowerment across all sectors, reflecting the Kingdom's broader approach to fostering a comprehensive societal role for women, as outlined by royal directives. Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the ministry on Wednesday to celebrate International Women's Day, in collaboration with the "Innovative Pathways" project aimed at supporting employment through private sector growth, Qudah explained that the government's Economic Modernization Vision adopts a holistic and sustainable approach to enhance women's economic involvement. He highlighted several significant initiatives led by the ministry, such as the creation of the Women's Empowerment Unit, the formation of a national team for supporting women-owned businesses, and the introduction of the 2024 Governance Instructions for Shareholding Companies, which mandate at least 20% female representation on company boards. Additionally, the government has adopted a national definition for women-owned or women-managed enterprises and established policies to promote women's participation in government procurement, all part of its efforts to improve women's economic standing. Qudah also pointed out that 108 women-owned or women-managed businesses have been supported through the Industrial Support Fund, with plans to support at least 50 more in the near future. He also shared that the government is working on creating nurseries in industrial cities, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The session was attended by prominent businesswomen, industry and commerce representatives, officials from the German Embassy in Amman, the (I-PSD/GIZ) program, as well as key stakeholders from women's organizations and the private sector. Dana Al-Zoubi, the Ministry's Secretary-General and leader of the national team for empowering women-owned businesses, presented an update on the achievements made to increase women's participation in the economy. Al-Zoubi noted that future initiatives will focus on providing advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses, especially concerning legal and regulatory matters, improving communication with government bodies, and increasing knowledge about the rights of shareholders and board members. She also mentioned efforts to showcase the successes of Jordanian businesswomen, create incubators within industrial zones, and build an interactive database and networking platforms to connect female entrepreneurs. Regarding export growth and market access, Al-Zoubi emphasized initiatives to build export capacity, including launching financial support programs and raising awareness about financing options. Additionally, she pointed out that the ministry plans to support businesses in effectively integrating e-commerce into their operations. Petra
CBS News
05-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County Board of Education approves $1.2 billion 2026 operating budget
The Howard County Board of Education approved the FY2026 operating budget Tuesday, which totals $1.257 billion. The approved budget is $111.9 million more than the 2025 budget, an increase of about 9.7%. Before approving the budget, the Board of Education added several additional priorities, including funding to hire athletic trainers in all high schools. The additions come after Howard County teachers, students and parents raised concerns about the safety of student athletes as there are no full-time athletic trainers in the district. Currently, the district contracts less than 10 athletic trainers. During a public meeting in February, several student athletes advocated for full-time trainers, saying the lack of personnel leaves many games and practices uncovered. "I'm only able to play because of my athletic trainer. She recognizes my symptoms before I say anything, communicate with my coaches, and has prevented multiple hospital trips for me," said Atholton High School student Grace Dejarnette. "My son, he wrestled, and his knee was dislocated in a match. He had to use his other leg to pop it back into place because no one was there," Cat Carter said during the meeting. According to our partners at the Baltimore Banner, a Hammond High School parent sued the district, claiming her son was paralyzed after school staff were unable to provide medical care when he collapsed during basketball practice. Additonal budget items The Board of Education added several other priorities, some of which address staffing shortages. The approved budget adds a total of 250 new full-time employees. The board included a request for additional special needs staffing to meet the demand in elementary schools. The budget includes additional literacy and math positions and other investments into reading and math instruction. The board also requested more assistant principals to address middle school staffing needs and more human resources, legal and print services staff. Other added priorities include increased funding for employee raises, expansions to the Innovative Pathways program, a replacement budget system software and some one-time improvements to security, water filtration and other equipment. The board also addressed the possible impacts of Gov. Wes Moore's proposed 2026 budget, which could include a $5.5 million reduction in state aid, a $2.5 million increase in special education non-public tuition costs and a $6.8 million shift in the reacher retirement system. "...The Board felt it was also important to leverage the budget request to memorialize some unfunded priorities of the system. The Board's proposal amplifies a commitment to special education services, adding 140 full-time positions," Board of Education Chair Jolene Mosley said. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is expected to present his budget to the county council in April. It includes funding for the school system. The board of education is expected to pass the final budget in May after the county budget is adopted.
