Latest news with #JD10
Ammon
18-05-2025
- Health
- Ammon
Drug prices committee meets to reduce drugs prices
Ammon News - A committee tasked with reviewing drug prices in local market will meet on Sunday to discuss reducing the price of a new drug package over the next two months. The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Director General Nizar Mheidat said that he asked the committee not to consider the prices of medicines under JD10 and to focus on higher-priced medicines. Mheidat explained that medicines are subject to periodic re-pricing and re-registration, indicating that the prices of 848 pharmaceutical items will be reduced in 2022, 698 in 2023, and 626 in 2024, out of a total of 9,000 pharmaceutical items registered in Jordan.
Jordan Times
04-05-2025
- Jordan Times
Cassation Court upholds 10-year sentence for man convicted of storing illicit drugs
AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a State Security Court (SSC) ruling sentencing a man to 10 years in prison after convicting him of storing a large quantity of illegal narcotics in Mafraq governorate in March 2023. The SSC declared the defendant guilty of possessing large quantities of Hashish and Captagon pills at his home in Mafraq on March 29. The SSC handed defendant Abdul Aziz A., a 15-year prison term for the charges and ordered him to pay JD10,000 in fines. However, the court decided to reduce the sentence to 10 years in prison while maintaining the JD10,000 'to give the defendant a second chance in life'. Court documents said Abdul Aziz A. and two other defendants, who did not appeal their 15-year verdicts, decided to earn quick cash by selling illegal narcotics in the local market. 'The two defendants stored 60 kilogrammes of Hashish and 140,000 Captagon pills at Abdul Aziz A.'s house,' court papers said. The Anti-Narcotics department (AND) received a tip about the stored illicit drugs at the defendant's house and decided to raid the premises, according to court papers. 'The three defendants were arrested and AND agents seized a large quantity of illicit drugs,' court papers added. The defendant contested the SSC's ruling through his lawyer, who argued that 'legal errors were committed during the investigation process'. Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant. The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentences against the defendant. 'It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to storing the illegal drugs with the intent of selling them in the local market,' the higher court said. The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Hammad Ghzawi, Mohammad Khashashneh and Qassem Dughmi.
Jordan Times
14-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Lower House passes laws on electricity, civil aviation, women's affairs, virtual assets
AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday passed the 2025 electricity draft law, introducing stricter penalties aimed at curbing violations and unauthorised use of the national electricity system. Under the new legislation, individuals found guilty of illegal electricity connections or aiding in theft of power will face prison terms ranging from one to three years, in addition to fines between JD5,000 and JD10,000, Al Mamlaka TV reported. The law also stipulates fines of JD500 to JD1,000 for encroachments on designated electrical easement zones, with increased penalties for repeat offenders. Property owners will be held accountable for such violations unless they can provide evidence implicating a third party. A new provision criminalises the unauthorised storage of energy beyond limits set by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), with violators facing one to three years in prison or fines between JD100,000 and JD200,000. Additionally, tampering with or removing seals from electricity meters or switches installed by licensed distributors, when done with intent to steal electricity, will carry penalties of one to two years' imprisonment and fines ranging from JD2,000 to JD7,000. The law aims to protect the integrity of the national grid and reduce electricity theft, which continues to pose a significant challenge to Jordan's energy sector. The Lower House on Monday also approved the 2024 draft public statistics law and the 2025 amendments to the Civil Aviation Law, endorsing changes introduced by the Senate earlier this month. One of the key amendments to the Public Statistics Law grants non-governmental organisations the right to conduct and publish statistical studies for their own purposes, or on behalf of others, provided they obtain prior written approval from the Department of Statistics. The Lower House ratified this provision as part of the revised bill. During their deliberations, lawmakers also recommended that the government adopt clear definitions of statistical concepts to better delineate the roles of key institutions involved in data governance, including the Department of Statistics, the National Information Centre, and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. The Public Statistics Law forms a key component of Jordan's broader economic modernisation agenda. It seeks to enhance data collection through administrative records and modern technologies while establishing a national data centre to support evidence-based decision-making with secure, high-quality and accessible information. MPs approved the amended Civil Aviation Law, which grants the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) sole authority to approve or reject land-use plans in and around airports, a power the Lower House had initially proposed be subject to Cabinet oversight. The House also accepted a Senate-endorsed article stipulating that all CARC-issued documents, including licences, certificates, permits, and reports, whether in electronic or paper format, are to be recognised as official. The revised law also aims to bolster institutional governance, clarify regulatory mandates, improve aviation safety protocols, and facilitate international aircraft leasing arrangements. It also ensures that investigations into aviation incidents are conducted independently. The Lower House also approved the 2024 draft law on the National Committee for Women's Affairs, formalising the body's mandate through a 13-article legal framework that ensures its sustainability, independence, and coordination with both government entities and civil society organisations. Established in 1992, the committee plays a key role in advancing the political, economic, and social empowerment of women across the Kingdom. During the session, Speaker Ahmad Safadi and Minister of State Ahmad Owaidi Abbadi commended the Legal Committee for its efforts in refining the draft. He also emphasised the importance of clarifying that senior appointments to the committee are made through a Royal Decree. The Chamber also referred the 2025 draft law on the regulation of virtual assets to the Parliamentary Committee for the Digital Economy. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate virtual asset activities, define licensing standards, and align with international norms on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. It also outlines the supervisory role of the Jordan Securities Commission over service providers, with the aim of maintaining financial stability while fostering technological innovation. Page 2
Jordan Times
13-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Jordan, WFP agreement to provide 'interest-free' loans to farmers, agri-projects — ACC
The Agricultural Credit Corporation says WFP agreement to provide 'interest-free' loans to Jordan's small- and large-scale farmers to confront climate change challenges (JT file) AMMAN — Director-General of the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) Mohammad Dogan said that the ACC agreement signed with the World Food Programme (WFP), which was recently approved by the Council of Ministers, represents a "qualitative" step in supporting Jordan's small- and large-scale farmers to confront climate change challenges. On its goals, Dogan said that this step aims to finance projects that integrate modern agricultural practices that contribute to achieving Jordan's food security and developing production chains, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Dogan added that the agreement, which aims to support and develop climate-resilient agriculture with a total value of JD3.5 million, seeks to enhance resilience of Jordan's farmers by providing modern agricultural practices that take into account "sustainable" agri-development. The director-general said that the agreement mainly targets water-smart and water-saving agricultural activities, as well as crops with 'high' economic returns, primarily saffron cultivation and packaging projects. Under the agreement, financing for two types of projects is secured, he said, adding that individual businesses will receive loans of up to JD10,000, while medium-sized agricultural enterprises' projects will get loans of up to JD70,000 interest-free, as the programme will pay the interest costs. These projects is set to target the governorates of Mafraq, Jerash and Balqa, ensuring that support is directed to the areas, which are the "most vulnerable and most affected "by climate change, he pointed out. Dogan noted that this cooperation would contribute to stimulating expansion of the use of smart agricultural technologies and alleviating the financial burdens on farmers, achieving resource sustainability, enhancing productivity and quality of local agricultural products, and addressing climate change consequences.
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet endorses cooperative, customs, virtual assets draft laws
AMMAN: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key legislative reforms to bolster Jordan's economic stability and foster development across several sectors, including cooperatives, customs, and virtual assets. The Council of Ministers endorsed the draft cooperative law of 2025, which seeks to establish a Cooperative Development Fund within the Cooperative Institution. The fund will support small and medium-sized agricultural projects, particularly in rural areas, creating new employment opportunities, according to a Prime Ministry statement. The draft law also introduces the Cooperative Development Institute, which will promote the cooperative model across the Kingdom. Measures also include simplifying the process of establishing and registering specialised regional cooperatives and aligning the country's practices with international best standards. The draft law also emphasises increasing participation from women, youth, people with disabilities and residents of remote areas in the cooperative sector. The Cabinet also approved the draft customs law of 2025, aimed to increase efficiency and reduce delays in the clearance of goods. The law allows the Jordan Customs Department to adopt international best practices and expedite regulatory procedures, ensuring a more efficient and transparent customs process. By reducing delays in the clearance of goods, the draft law aims to facilitate smoother trade operations and enhance regulatory oversight. The draft law also introduces post-clearance audits to strengthen compliance with international standards while safeguarding financial confidentiality. These measures are expected to streamline operations and bolster Jordan's trade competitiveness in the international market. With the rapid international growth of virtual assets, the Cabinet also endorsed the draft virtual assets law of 2025, establishing a legal framework for the use of these assets in Jordan. The law seeks a balanced approach, encouraging innovation while ensuring financial stability. It also includes provisions for transparency and anti-money laundering compliance, allowing the use of virtual assets for specific activities but limiting their role as a means of payment unless approved by the Central Bank of Jordan. The Cabinet also introduced amendments to the bank deposit requirements for foreign nationals seeking to renew residency permits in Jordan. Under the new measures, property owners will no longer need to deposit JD 10,000 as long as they retain ownership and have lived in the Kingdom for more than two years. Additionally, the deposit requirement for non-property owners has been reduced from JD20,000 to JD10,000 for a five-year residency permit. These adjustments are expected to stimulate foreign investment and facilitate long-term residence. In line with its commitment to sustainable development, the Cabinet exempted the Jerash Eco-Tourism City project from sales tax. Initially conceived as an industrial hub, the project will now focus on creating an eco-friendly agro-tourism destination, reflecting Jordan's growing emphasis on green initiatives and sustainable tourism. The Cabinet also approved the exemption of Syrian trucks from additional fees while ensuring the standardisation of fees for both Jordanian and Syrian transporters. This move is in accordance with the principle of reciprocity between the two countries, promoting fairness and facilitating trade. The Council of Ministers also approved several infrastructure improvement projects, including the upgrade of vital roads such as Sukhnah-Shouna and Wadi Shaib, both of which play a crucial role in the agricultural and tourism sectors. These enhancements are expected to improve accessibility and stimulate regional development. The Cabinet also endorsed several international agreements aimed at enhancing Jordan's global partnerships. Notably, a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will focus on empowering women and youth through capacity-building initiatives. Another agreement with Morocco will see the creation of a multidisciplinary vocational training centre, aimed at fostering skills in key sectors like digital technology, health, and engineering. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
