After 12-year hiatus, first direct Venezuelan flight lands in Damascus Int’l AirportThe first direct flight from Venezuela to Syria landed Wednesday in Damascus International Airport coming from Caracas Airport after about 12-year hiatus of air traffic between the two countries. 102 passengers were on board, including Venezuelan Minister of Transport, Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister and an accompanying delegation, according to SANA reporter. In a press statement at Damascus Airport, Director of the US Department at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, Ambassador Khalil Bitar, said “There will be a flight every 15 days between Damascus and Caracas.” In turn, Venezuelan Minister of Transport Ramon Velasquez said “After 12 years, we resume flights between our two countries, and this flight represents a victory for both of them and serves the interest of the Syrian and Venezuelan peoples.”. Venezuelan Ambassador in Damascus, Jose Biomorgi Muzattiz, said “The return of air traffic came due to the great efforts exerted by both countries and it represents a step forward in strengthening bilateral relations” Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Domestic revenues up by JD83.3mln during first 2 months 2023-Finance Ministry

Domestic revenues rose during the first two months of 2023 by JD83.3 million, reaching JD1.295 billion, compared to JD1.213 billion during the same period last year, according to Ministry of Finance data. This increase was due to an upsurge in tax revenues by about JD34.4 million to reach about JD1.004 billion, compared to JD970.2 million during the same period last year. In its monthly bulletin, the Ministry of Finance attributed this rise to tax revenues, as taxes on income and profits increased by about JD41.4 million, indicating that the government is continuing to pursue financial and economic reform and reflects the commitment of the ministry’s team and Income and Sales Tax Department to expand the tax base. Non-tax revenues also increased by about JD48.9 million, to reach JD291 million, compared to JD242.1 million, during the same period last year, the ministry’s figures showed. This growth was due to the increase in ownership income revenues by about JD26.1 million, driven by increase in the item of financial surpluses, with a value of JD20.3 million, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, public expenditures increased by JD97.6 million during the first two months of 2023 to reach JD1.504 billion, compared to JD1.406 billion during the same period last year, the data revealed. This rise in total spending is due to the increase in current expenditures by JD84.8 million, or 6.2%, and the surge in capital expenditures by about JD12.9 million, or 36.6%. The balance of government debt until end of last February 2023, after excluding Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF), amounted to JD30.517 billion, or 89.6% of the estimated GDP for the last month of February 2023, compared to JD30.667.6 billion in the end of 2022, or 91% of GDP.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Tabbaa, Director General of Saudi (Mawhiba) Center of Excellence discuss educational cooperation

The Minister of Education, Dr. Darem Tabbaa, discussed Wednesday Khaled Al-Sharif, Director General of Saudi (Mawhiba) Center of Excellence, prospects for joint cooperation.

That came on the sidelines of the 13th Arab Education Ministers Conference, which is being held in the Moroccan capital of Rabat under the auspices of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

Minister Tabbaa showed Syria’s interest in the field of excellence, creativity and gifted care through a number of educational programs and activities for the distinguished of different age groups.

During the meeting, an invitation was presented to Syria to participate with a number of Arab countries in an annual event organized by Mawhiba Center, which begins next June and ends next September.

Mawhiba is a Saudi foundation that aims to discover and nurture creative people in scientific fields, and to contribute to building a system and model for talent and creativity locally, regionally and globally.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency