Day: November 26, 2022

Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ahmed Hanandeh said the total number of e-services provided by government ministries and institutions until the current month of November reached 613.

In a statement to “Petra” on Saturday, he also noted the overall number of new gov’t e-services being launched to end of 2022 stood at 73, while the total number of e-services currently being examined hit 21 and 7 mobile phone applications are currently being studied.

Hanandeh expected that 326 new e-services will be added and operated by the end of next 2023.

Among the key institutions offering e-services, he referred to ministries of justice, labor, industry, trade, interior, investment, health, Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), Jordan Customs Department (JCD), and other multiple public departments.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Eastern Military Zone (EMZ) on Saturday dawn thwarted an attempt to infiltrate and smuggle “large” quantities of narcotics coming from Syrian territory, in continuation of efforts made by Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF)-Arab Army to protect local and regional security from drug dangers.

In a press statement, an official military source at JAF General Command said border guards’ front-line surveillance patrols, in coordination with the security agencies, tracked an armed group of smugglers illegally crossing Syrian territory to Jordan.

“Quick” response patrols moved to the site, applied rules of engagement and injured a smuggler, forcing the others to retreat into Syrian territory, the source said.

After intensively searching the area, 564 palm-sized sheets of hashish and 20,000 Captagon pills were seized, in addition to a Kalashnikov rifle and a quantity of ammunition, which were transferred to the competent authorities.

The source stressed that the JAF are continuing to deal ” firmly” with any threats on Jordan’s border fronts, and will foil any endeavors intended to undermine and destabilize the Kingdom’s security and terrorize its citizens.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Ports World (DP World) to promote interests of small and medium shipping companies in Jordan.

According to a JLA statement issued Saturday, the memo, which was signed on the sidelines of the first Global Freight Summit 2022 held in Dubai, would stimulate the association’s members to join membership of Digital Freight Alliance, a platform that sells digital services and integrated supply chain solutions to its customers, under a registered freight broker agreement inked by the two sides.

The agreement was signed by JLA president, Nabil Khatib, and Mike Bhaskaran, DP World Chief Operating Officer.

The JLA, which was established in 2007, aims at representing workers in Jordan’s shipping industry, protecting their rights, providing a competitive environment, and developing work systems for freight and logistics service providers.

The JLA, which is a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), distributes bills of lading for multimodal transport means to its members based on an agreement signed with FIATA.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Kazakhstan’s early presidential elections that were held last Sunday and won by President Kassym-Jomart-Tokayev , were a “historically significant” event, and one of the most transformative periods in the country’s modern history, Kazakh Ambassador to Jordan, Aidarabek Tumatov, said.

In a press conference he held recently to talk about the elections, he said President Tokayev (People’s Coalition) received more than 81% of the votes, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC), as 8 300 046 citizens casted their ballot with a voter turnout of 69.44%, adding that 11,953,465 voters were registered to vote.

He added that this was the seventh presidential election in Kazakhstan since the country’s independence in 1991.

“Kazakhstan experienced significant challenges in January, which were a catalyst for the transformation that our country has experienced. Our President used this crisis to implement major positive changes,” he said.

Continuing: ” In line with recent constitutional changes, the elected head of state will serve a 7-year term without the right to re-election.”

Earlier this month, he said President Tokayev publicly signed six important laws adopted following referendum in June this year, adding that entry into force of these laws is contributing to greater democratisation of the political system and a further improvement of the system of checks and balances between the branches of state power.

The envoy said his country’s key reforms include the redistribution of powers from the president to parliament, establishment of the Constitutional Court from January next year, simplified procedures for registering political parties, increased participation of citizens in the governance of the state, as well as further protection of human rights.

The envoy noted among key objectives are the decentralisation and distribution of power across the country, strengthened rule of law and equal opportunities for every citizen.

Following the results of the elections, he said President Tokayev stated: “We will clearly and consistently implement the constitutional reform. We are moving to a new form of the political structure of the country. Cardinal changes will occur in the economy. We will improve the welfare of citizens. To translate all these goals into reality, we need unity. Therefore, I call on everyone you to unity.”

The envoy also quoted President Tokayev as saying: “The government will remain in office, but point-by-point changes in the composition of the government and other agencies will of course take place.” He also noted that he would announce the date of parliamentary elections at the end of the year.”

Regarding Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, President said “Kazakhstan must conduct a multi-vector foreign policy and should be committed to the United Nations Charter and pursue a peaceful foreign policy.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Wajih Azayzeh said Friday that modernization of the political system is a key feature in the next stage, and that development of political work will move to an advanced level.

“What has been achieved in the past period was within the strategic vision of the state, not an interim step, and was a higher national interest that everyone agreed on its implementation.. to proceed toward an advanced political system”, he said on Jordan television’s Sixty Minutes last night.

The key parameters of this vision, he pointed out, are development of partisan work in Jordan, the electoral law and constitutional amendments that complimented the 2011 amendments.

“So, there was seriousness on formation of parties, in terms of their number and political participation, and that’s why they were given time to correct their status to bolster them and allow for stronger parties to form alliances.

The parameters in the political parties law, Azaizeh pointed out, were to protect the democratic process without bias, which lies at the core of political work, adding that only the ballot box will chart the political track.

The minister noted achievements made on the path to political modernization, including the passage of the parties law and partisan activities on campuses, noting that the government’s policy is to keep channels open with parties and civil society institutions as a priority to ensure wider political participation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan, Aziz Dihani, said Jordan is an “important” gateway to Arab countries, adding that Kuwaiti businesspeople are seeking to establish projects in the Kingdom scheduled to be announced soon.

Addressing a working meeting with Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) on Saturday, Dihani said Jordan’s investment climate is “lucrative,” noting that the Kingdom’s new law regulating the investment environment affirms keenness to stimulate and expand investment.

The envoy also lauded Kuwaiti-Jordanian relations as “pioneering and advanced” and enjoy interest and keenness of the two countries’ leaderships, reflected in inking more than 73 economic agreements and launching joint projects.

For his part, JBA President, Hamdi Al-Tabbaa said Jordanian-Kuwaiti economic relations are “deep-rooted and longstanding,” pointing to joint trade and investment agreements, primarily deals aimed to prevent double taxation and protect mutual investments, which were signed by the two countries since 2001.

Kuwait is a “key” trading partner to Jordan, as the volume of its investments in the Kingdom amounted to about $18 billion, while the volume of trade exchange until end of last August amounted to JD141 million dinars, Al-Tabaa said.

In addition, he stressed the importance of the private sector’s role in both countries and their endeavor to build partnerships on various levels.

He also noted availability of multiple “untapped” opportunities as required, in commercial and investment levels, especially in foodstuff industries, food security projects, pharmaceutical production, medical tourism and chemical industries.

The meeting went over a number of issues of interest to the business community and ways to enhance joint cooperation prospects, according to a JBA statement.

Source: Jordan News Agency