Latest news with #JordanianGovernment
Jordan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Aqaba: A New Investment Hub and Economic Growth Driver
The Jordanian government has made an important move to support investment in Aqaba. It introduced a set of new decisions to turn the city into a key part of the country's economic growth. This fits with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision (2022–2033) and the city's development plan. The new decisions include a smart mix of support for real estate, tourism, and education. These steps aim to attract investors and retirees from Jordan and other countries, helping them settle in Aqaba for the long term. This is especially important now, as the Jordanian economy is facing slow growth and weak private investment. Aqaba can help restart the economy in areas that bring high value. In real estate, the government is offering more than just tax cuts or help with bringing in cars or furniture. It's also offering long-term residency for those who invest a certain amount. This shows a shift toward attracting serious, long-term investors rather than short-term visitors. Focusing on residential compounds helps organize housing projects and makes Aqaba more competitive in the region. The city currently has 1,100 available housing units, and 1,200 more are planned. These changes are expected to boost the quiet housing market and encourage new real estate projects. The plan also includes launching research and education projects in southern Aqaba. For example, coral farming and marine science labs will be set up. This supports the 'blue economy,' a growing sector that can attract international funding and offer long-term economic benefits. Making the southern coast a center for research and learning will give Aqaba a stronger position as a place of knowledge and innovation. It also helps create new, high-quality jobs in fields like marine engineering, environment, and science. The government also wants to attract wealthy Arab and foreign retirees by offering special benefits for owning property and providing good services. These retirees usually have strong finances and can support the local economy, including health care, services, and retail. In short, these decisions show a clear plan to attract investment using financial and legal tools, without hurting public finances. This is a realistic and smart way to support long-term growth. These incentives come at the right time. Aqaba has many advantages—its location, infrastructure, and special laws. If these plans are supported by good marketing and easy procedures, Aqaba could become a top regional center for investment, living, tourism, and research. This would help Jordan grow its economy, create jobs, and reach its future goals. Raad Mahmoud Al-Tal is head of Economics Department – the University of Jordan – [email protected]
Jordan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Jordan's humanitarian role in Gaza: A rebuttal to false claims of profit, commercialization
A news website has published a report claiming that Jordan has reaped significant profits from supervising the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip since October 7. This allegation is completely unfounded, lacks accuracy and professionalism, and relies on anonymous sources and claims unsupported by any real documents or evidence. The Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization, mentioned in the report, is not a for-profit entity and does not operate on a commercial basis. Rather, it is a well-known national humanitarian organization for decades. It has contributed to delivering aid to disaster-stricken areas around the world and is known for its full commitment to humanitarian and international standards in its work. This organization, in coordination with international bodies, has played a pivotal role in delivering hundreds of convoys to the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the aggression. This role cannot be denied or underestimated, despite attempts by some media outlets to mislead or distort it. The claim that Jordan imposes exorbitant fees on trucks entering Gaza, or on airdrops, is completely at odds with reality. The Jordanian government bears the full costs of sending aid by land and air to the Strip and has never asked any organization or donor to pay a fee for its aid deliveries. Rather, everything that is done is coordinated and integrated between the Jordanian side and these organizations, serving the common goal of supporting the afflicted Palestinian people. The report deliberately overlooks actual Jordanian efforts, both in relief and political terms. Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, has not hesitated to take action in all international forums to halt the aggression and mobilize support for the delivery of aid to the people of Gaza and the West Bank alike. It was also one of the first countries to carry out airdrops inside Gaza, despite the risks and challenges. These operations have reached nearly 400 to date, an unprecedented number that reflects the seriousness of Jordan's commitment to the Palestinian cause. If there is one country bearing the burden of genuine assistance to the Palestinian people at this critical juncture, it is Jordan. This is not in terms of the quantity of aid, nor in terms of its quality, nor in terms of the political and diplomatic efforts exerted by the Jordanian leadership to halt the aggression, protect civilians, and ensure the delivery of aid as efficiently and quickly as possible. These facts are deliberately omitted in the published report, in favor of a biased narrative aimed at distorting Jordan's image and role and raising doubts about its intentions, at a time when the Palestinian cause needs every real and sincere support. What further confirms the report's bad faith is that it does not mention any names or official bodies that have stated what it claims. Instead, it uses vague phrases such as "informed sources" and "non-governmental organizations that spoke on condition of anonymity.' Worse still, these allegations were not made by any of the humanitarian or international bodies that directly deal with Jordan in delivering aid, indicating that the report is not based on any real evidence, but rather on premeditated distortion. Publishing such an article at this sensitive time can only be considered a pathetic attempt to undermine Jordanian efforts, both official and popular, which have been and continue to be the most steadfast in standing with the Palestinian people in the face of aggression. The massive demonstrations that took place in various Jordanian cities in support of Gaza, the firm political stances, and the significant logistical role Jordan plays, all form a cohesive and interconnected scene, reflecting a genuine national and humanitarian commitment to Palestine. Therefore, attempting to present this role as a form of financial exploitation or profit-making is nothing but a distortion of the facts and a deliberate distortion that can only be understood within the framework of malicious campaigns targeting all those genuinely seeking to stop the war and support the people of Gaza, especially Jordan, which has become the most important link between the Palestinian interior and the international community on the one hand, and between hope and reality on the other. Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Jordan seizes rockets, drones in major national security raid
Jordanian Government spokesperson Mohammad Al Momani speaks during a press conference about the security forces finding a rocket manufacturing facility alongside a drone factory, according to a statement by the General Intelligence Department, in Amman, Jordan, April 15, 2025. JTV/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Listen to article Jordanian authorities say they have thwarted a major plot involving rockets, drones and explosives, arresting 16 suspects in what officials are calling a serious threat to national security. According to a statement released by the General Intelligence Department on Tuesday, the group had established both a drone production site and a rocket manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Amman. One rocket was reportedly ready to launch, with dozens more found in a secret hideout. The suspects have been referred to the state security court. Officials said the investigation had been ongoing since 2021, and that several operatives had received training in Lebanon. A security source told Reuters that the plot was linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, Jordan's largest opposition group. The Brotherhood has been accused of fuelling protests during the Gaza war and, in this case, of shifting to more militant tactics. Government spokesperson Mohammad al Momani confirmed that some of the arrested individuals were trained and funded from outside the country, and that the government would soon broadcast their full confessions. 'The plot aimed at harming national security, sowing chaos and causing material destruction inside the kingdom,' the intelligence department's statement said. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pledged cooperation with Amman, insisting Lebanon would not allow its territory to be used for hostile acts against neighbouring states. The Muslim Brotherhood, however, denied involvement in the alleged plot. In a statement to Reuters, the group said it had always pursued peaceful political participation and rejected violence. Analyst Amer Al Sabaileh told Reuters the use of drones and rockets represents 'a complete change in the way the Muslim Brotherhood are dealing with Jordan.' Officials have hinted that the Brotherhood could face a ban if found guilty of organising the plot, as per the constitution. Jordan, a key US ally, has increasingly come under threat from Iran-backed groups since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023. The country hosts over 3,500 US troops and previously shot down missiles fired from Iran towards Israel — a move that provoked public anger at home. In the past year, Jordan has also intercepted multiple weapons smuggling attempts linked to pro-Iranian militias and Palestinian factions. Authorities say these efforts are part of broader attempts to destabilise the kingdom and spread regional conflict.
