Latest news with #JafarHassan
Ammon
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ammon
PM: Jordan has major diplomatic role in containing Sweida crisis
Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan confirmed that the regional repercussions are not easy, as radical transformations are taking place around us that are clear to all. During his visit to Jerash Governorate on Tuesday, Hassan said that Jordan has played a fundamental role in Syria over the past few days, and that its goal is for Syria to rise up and become strong, stable, prosperous, and unified, while preserving its sovereignty over its territory. Hassan also noted that the relationship with the Syrian government is excellent, and that there is communication and cooperation in all sectors and fields. "Jordan stands by our Syrian brothers in achieving their goals with all our diplomatic means, and helps in all other aspects, whether in civil defense, technical expertise, humanitarian aid, or cooperation in the field of administration and others, as well as matters on the border in Sweida towards stability, and Jordan played a major diplomatic role in containing the crisis," the Prime Minister added. Hassan expressed his hope that the Israeli tragedy and brutality in Gaza would end in the coming days, explaining that the primary goal is to deliver humanitarian aid, save the people of Gaza from this brutality, and establish the Palestinian people on their land.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet approves new regulations, says they aim to ease tourism rules, support farmers
AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday approved two major bylaws aimed at revitalising the tourism sector, simplifying regulations, and attracting investment, in line with recent amendments to the Tourism Law. Chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, the Cabinet endorsed the 2025 Hotel and Tourism Establishments Bylaw and the 2025 Tourist Restaurants Bylaw, both designed to improve the business environment and reduce regulatory burdens, according to the Jordan news agency, Petra. Under the new regulations, hotels and tourism establishments will no longer require a licence to operate. Instead, they will need approval from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which will also oversee classification standards. Licensing fees have been scrapped, easing operational costs for business owners. The bylaw also introduces mandatory compliance with inclusive tourism standards, ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children, alongside adherence to environmental regulations. The Tourist Restaurants Bylaw eliminates the requirement for a ministry-issued licence, replacing it with a classification or registration system. It also cancels licensing fees, aligning with the amended Tourism Law. Tourist restaurants must now meet public health and safety requirements, including regulations related to smoking and the provision of waterpipes, according to Petra. These legislative reforms form part of the government's broader Economic Modernisation Vision, which identifies tourism as a key driver of economic growth. In a move to bolster local agriculture, the Cabinet approved the purchase of locally produced wheat and barley, both for seed and fodder purposes, during the 2024/2025 agricultural season. Procurement will be handled by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply via the open trade account, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordanian Cooperative Corporation, Petra reported. Approved purchase prices were set at JD500 per tonne for seed-grade wheat and JD420 for seed-grade barley, while fodder-grade wheat and barley were priced at JD420 and JD370 per tonne, respectively. To ease financial pressure on farmers, the government will reduce seed prices for the 2025/2026 season by JD50 per tonne, and will cover screening and sterilisation costs, estimated at JD75 per tonne. A total of JD19 million has been allocated for the purchase of approximately 40,000 tonnes of grain, Petra said. These measures aim to promote self-sufficiency in key crops and incentivise expanded cultivation. The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the 2025 Building and Zoning Bylaw for the Greater Amman Municipality. The change extends a discount on unpaid building fees to buildings constructed in 2025. The aim is to alleviate the financial burden on property owners, with some fines currently reaching four times the original violation cost. The Cabinet endorsed the validating reasons for the proposed 2025 bylaw for Greater Amman Municipality employees, which will be submitted to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The bylaw seeks to streamline human resources regulations, address inconsistencies in implementation, and improve municipal service delivery by enhancing staff efficiency and supporting strategic goals. The Cabinet also approved the construction of a new access road to the planned government hospital in Madaba. The road will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, while a parallel route will be constructed by the Ministry of Local Administration. The roads are deemed critical infrastructure for the hospital project.
Jordan News
5 days ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan's Steady Fiscal Path: A Balanced Approach to Growth and Debt Management - Jordan News
Amid ongoing global and regional economic uncertainty, Jordan continues to make meaningful strides in strengthening its fiscal position and preserving macro-financial stability. Recent figures underscore the effectiveness of the government's disciplined approach to debt management, fiscal consolidation, and monetary stability — all of which reaffirm investor confidence in Jordan's economic trajectory. اضافة اعلان According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Finance, by the end of June 2025, Jordan's public debt (net of Social Security Investment Fund holdings) had declined to approximately JD 35.3 billion, bringing the debt-to-GDP ratio down to 91%, a gradual but important improvement from the 93% level recorded earlier in the year. This reflects the government's prudent debt strategy, which favors diversified, lower-cost financing tools such as sukuk issuance and concessional borrowing, while simultaneously reducing exposure to high-yield international debt markets during a period of elevated global interest rates. On the monetary front, foreign reserves remain solid at USD 22 billion, offering comfortable coverage of 8 to 9 months of imports, while gold reserves have expanded to JD 5.455 billion, highlighting the central bank's proactive reserve management in response to persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainties. In terms of real economic performance, the Jordanian economy continues to show signs of resilience. GDP growth reached 2.7% in the first quarter of 2025, supported by structural reforms aimed at enhancing competitiveness and stimulating private sector activity. Inflation remains contained at 1.98%, underscoring the credibility of the Central Bank's monetary policy framework. Nonetheless, external sector imbalances persist, with the current account deficit standing at 7.7% of GDP — highlighting the need for continued efforts to boost export capacity and reduce reliance on energy imports. At the policy level, Jordan has maintained a careful balance between fiscal responsibility and social stability under the leadership of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan and his economic team. Recent government initiatives — including tax reductions on vehicles, expanded healthcare allocations, and full coverage for cancer treatment — reflect a pragmatic policy approach. These efforts aim to mitigate the social impact of reform while staying aligned with the broader objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision. On the international front, Jordan's reform progress continues to receive strong recognition. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded its third successful review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), unlocking a cumulative USD 595 million in disbursements to date. The Fund has commended Jordan's commitment to sound macroeconomic policies, structural reform, and fiscal discipline — all designed to build resilience, accelerate growth, and enhance job creation. A Model of Measured Reform Jordan's current trajectory showcases a measured and credible model of fiscal consolidation and structural reform. Amid heightened global volatility, the Kingdom's ability to preserve monetary stability, improve debt dynamics, and maintain steady growth signals a policy framework rooted in resilience, discipline, and long-term strategic clarity — a framework that continues to reinforce Jordan's reputation as a reliable and stable destination for investment in an otherwise uncertain region.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet approves digital logistics project in Aqaba, economic relief measures, heritage designations
AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday, approved a package of decisions targeting digital transformation, economic relief, international cooperation, and cultural heritage preservation. The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions Company to manage and develop a new digital truck control and monitoring system at the Aqaba port, according to the Jordan news agency, Petra. The project will establish a centralised digital platform that integrates customs, port operations, shipping lines, and clearance companies, streamlining logistics, enhancing transparency, and accelerating cargo handling. Key components include the digital regulation of truck entry and exit, digitised permits, real-time monitoring of vehicle movements, and improved road safety through reduced congestion. The Cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure full integration with Jordan's digital government systems. The Cabinet approved measures to ease financial pressure on companies in the Digital and Entrepreneurial Sector benefiting from the Temporary Employment Support Programme (Hafiz). These businesses will now be able to repay 2023-related debts in monthly installments over five years, according to Petra. To date, the government has contributed JD1.9 million in Social Security support through Hafiz, helping to employ around 600 youth in IT roles across public and private sectors. The programme subsidises up to 50 per cent of salaries for new hires, aiming to boost digital skills and accelerate service digitization, according to Petra. The Cabinet also settled 696 tax cases between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, a step aimed at fostering a better business climate, increasing tax compliance, and resolving legal disputes. The Cabinet also approved two cooperation agreements with Lebanon focusing on social development and welfare, and another with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to eliminate double taxation and prevent tax evasion, promoting stronger economic ties. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Cabinet Approves Aqaba Digital Logistics Project, Economic Relief Measures, Heritage Preservation - Jordan News
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Wednesday approved several key decisions aimed at advancing digital transformation, supporting economic activities, enhancing international cooperation, and preserving Jordan's architectural heritage. اضافة اعلان The Cabinet endorsed a decision by the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) approving an agreement with Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions Company to manage, operate, and develop a digital truck control and monitoring system. Under the agreement, Maqta Ayla will establish a digital platform to modernize operations at Aqaba's port facilities. The system will integrate customs, port operations, shipping lines, clearance companies, and other stakeholders, enabling seamless data exchange and improving the efficiency of maritime and logistics services. These measures are expected to accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, reduce operational costs, improve transparency, and facilitate digital tracking of logistics processes. The initiative aims to position Aqaba as a regional hub for smart and modern port services, strengthening its competitiveness under the Economic Modernization Vision. Among the planned services is a truck control project to regulate the entry and exit of vehicles into the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The system will digitize permits, monitor truck movements, ease congestion, enhance road safety, and enable better oversight of freight operations. The Cabinet directed coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure system compatibility with Jordan's digital government infrastructure. In measures to alleviate economic burdens, the Cabinet approved allowing companies benefiting from the Temporary Employment Support Program in the Digital and Entrepreneurial Sector (Hafiz) to repay debts owed for 2023 over five years in monthly installments. The government has already covered JD1.9 million in Social Security contributions under the Hafiz program, which supports the hiring of approximately 600 youth in IT roles across government service centers and private sector enterprises. The program, which subsidizes up to 50 percent of salaries for new hires, aligns with national objectives to digitize services, foster digital skills, and stimulate private sector growth. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 696 pending tax cases between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, as part of efforts to improve the business climate, enhance tax compliance, and facilitate legal regularization. On public administration modernization, the Cabinet endorsed the rationale for a draft Administrative Organization System for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025, paving the way for submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The draft seeks to streamline organizational structures, reduce task duplication, enhance governance, and boost public sector efficiency in line with ongoing administrative reforms. Regarding international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on social development with Lebanon, aimed at sharing expertise in development and social welfare fields. It also approved an agreement with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion, fostering investment and trade ties. In heritage preservation, the Cabinet designated several structures in the Capital, Balqa, and Madaba governorates as heritage buildings, adding them to the Architectural and Urban Heritage Register. These include, in Amman, the House of the late King Talal, the Jordanian Art House, the Jordanian Poetry House, the Ibrahim Hashem House, the Zahid Adlbi House, the Field Marshal Habis Al-Majali House, the Mohammed Al Dabbati House, and the Salmkri Al Khas Hatogh Building. In Balqa, the listed sites include the Salt Historical Museum (Abu Jaber House) and the Aziz Jasser House, while in Madaba they include the Saraya Building, the Beiruti Building, and the Omar Shabib Al Sawalha House.
