Latest news with #WadiAraba
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Cabinet approves copper mining agreement, expands customs fine exemptions
AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a number economic and regulatory decisions during its session on Sunday, including an executive agreement for copper mining, new customs fine exemptions, and progress on green hydrogen development. During a session chaired by Prime Minister JafarHassan, the Cabinet approved a 30-year executive agreement with Wadi Araba Minerals Company for copper mining in southern Jordan. Under the deal, the company will be registered as a public shareholding entity, with a portion of its shares to be offered for public subscription. The agreement, which covers 25 square kilometers, prohibits the export of raw materials, mandating local processing to maximize national economic benefit. Government revenues will be tied to global copper prices. Copper is classified as a strategic resource in Jordan, requiring a special concession law for its exploitation. The Cabinet also expanded customs fine exemptions to include cases discovered or documented before January 1, 2025. Fines may now be waived by up to 90 per cent, up from the previous cut-off of 2022. The decision aims to support investors, traders, and citizens by closing pending customs cases and accelerating revenue collection, aligning with Jordan's broader economic modernization goals. The Cabinet granted a five-year grace period to quarry operators in the alternative Samad area (zones 1, 2, and 3) to cease operations. No new licenses will be issued in the area, and existing operators must commit to site rehabilitation. The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission was tasked with studying incentive options for operators who exit the area ahead of schedule. Green hydrogen The Cabinet also approved a land-use agreement with Indian company Ocior Energy to conduct feasibility studies for a green hydrogen production project. The initiative is part of Jordan's ambition to become a regional hub for green hydrogen and ammonia, with several memorandums of understanding already signed. The initiative aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision's 2020–2030 roadmapunder the sustainable resources pillar. The Cabinet also approved recommendations to resolve 419 outstanding tax cases between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department. The move is part of efforts to ease regulatory pressure on businesses and promote sustainable growth by enabling tax settlements and reducing obstacles to expansion. The Cabinet agreed to amend financing agreements under the results-based programmefor education sector reform and approved an increase of approximately JD7 million to the Ministry of Education's 2026 budget allocation. The programme aims to improve the learning environment, boost kindergarten enrolment, modernise assessments and exams, enhance the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi), expand student registration support, and establish a National Centre for Innovation in Educational Technology and Artificial Intelligence. The Cabinet approved recommendations from the Settlement and Reconciliation Committee to resolve 419 pending tax cases involving companies and individuals, under the Income and Sales Tax Laws. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister inspects public facilities in Aqaba's Wadi Araba, orders improvement to services
AMMAN — Prime Jafar Hassan conducted an inspection tour on Wednesday across five sites in Wadi Araba district, Aqaba Governorate, as part of his routine field visits to different parts of the Kingdom. During the visit, the prime minister inspected two healthcare centres, a school, the Faynan Museum, and the Feynan Ecolodge. At the Rahmeh Primary Health Centre, Hassan listened to feedback from medical staff, patients, and local residents, directing that the centre be equipped with essential medical devices and specialties, and undergoes general maintenance, according to a Prime Ministry statement. He also visited the Risha Comprehensive Health Centre, where he met with citizens and patients, instructed the provision of needed equipment and specialties, and called for the expansion and modernization of the laboratory and its devices. At a mixed secondary school, the Prime Minister heard from teachers regarding the school's needs and directed the creation of new classrooms, a library, a garden, and the upgrade of school facilities and its playground. Accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab, Hassan toured Wadi Faynan, where he visited the Faynan Museum, home to artefacts dating back to ancient times and a key tourism attraction in the area. On the sidelines of the visit, he met with local community leaders to hear their feedback on improving tourism and public services. Established in 2018, the Faynan Museum features a scale model of Wadi Faynan, stone tools from ancient periods, and various archaeological and natural displays. The Prime Minister also visited the Feynan Ecolodge, recognized as one of the world's top eco-lodges. He directed the expansion of the solar energy project powering the lodge, aimed at reducing operational costs and boosting tourism. The solar expansion is expected to allow year-round operation of the lodge, especially during the high-demand summer months, thus increasing its visitor capacity. The lodge supports the livelihoods of around 80 local families and is regarded as a global model for eco-tourism, having won more than 40 international awards. Prime Minister Hassan was accompanied on the tour by Aqaba Governor Khaled Hajjaj. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( JT
Jordan Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
Prime minister inspects public facilities in Aqaba's Wadi Araba, orders improvement to services
Prime Jafar Hassan at Rahmeh Primary Health Centre in Wadi Araba during his visit to the southern district on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of Prime Ministry) AMMAN — Prime Jafar Hassan conducted an inspection tour on Wednesday across five sites in Wadi Araba district, Aqaba Governorate, as part of his routine field visits to different parts of the Kingdom. During the visit, the prime minister inspected two healthcare centres, a school, the Faynan Museum, and the Feynan Ecolodge. At the Rahmeh Primary Health Centre, Hassan listened to feedback from medical staff, patients, and local residents, directing that the centre be equipped with essential medical devices and specialties, and undergoes general maintenance, according to a Prime Ministry statement. He also visited the Risha Comprehensive Health Centre, where he met with citizens and patients, instructed the provision of needed equipment and specialties, and called for the expansion and modernization of the laboratory and its devices. At a mixed secondary school, the Prime Minister heard from teachers regarding the school's needs and directed the creation of new classrooms, a library, a garden, and the upgrade of school facilities and its playground. Accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab, Hassan toured Wadi Faynan, where he visited the Faynan Museum, home to artefacts dating back to ancient times and a key tourism attraction in the area. On the sidelines of the visit, he met with local community leaders to hear their feedback on improving tourism and public services. Established in 2018, the Faynan Museum features a scale model of Wadi Faynan, stone tools from ancient periods, and various archaeological and natural displays. The Prime Minister also visited the Feynan Ecolodge, recognized as one of the world's top eco-lodges. He directed the expansion of the solar energy project powering the lodge, aimed at reducing operational costs and boosting tourism. The solar expansion is expected to allow year-round operation of the lodge, especially during the high-demand summer months, thus increasing its visitor capacity. The lodge supports the livelihoods of around 80 local families and is regarded as a global model for eco-tourism, having won more than 40 international awards. Prime Minister Hassan was accompanied on the tour by Aqaba Governor Khaled Hajjaj.
