Author: Web Desk

Amman: The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) and the “Makanti” project for women’s economic and leadership empowerment, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have inked an agreement aimed at bolstering employment opportunities for women in the industrial sector.

In a statement released by the JCI Wednesday, Vice President of the Chamber, Hani Abu Hassan, emphasized the pivotal role played by industry chambers across the Kingdom in advancing the participation of women, a key priority aligned with their strategy to ensure gender equality in industrial employment.

Abu Hassan, speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, highlighted recent industrial surveys indicating that approximately 34 percent of the workforce in the industry comprises females. Notably, the figures are 67.5 percent in the leather and knitted industries sector, and 34.5 percent in therapeutic industries and medical supplies.

Deputy Director of the “Makanti” Project, John William, underscored the significan
ce of companies fostering leadership diversity, emphasizing that those with a diverse workforce, including gender diversity, outperform their counterparts.

He noted that bridging the gender gap in Jordan’s labor market could potentially elevate the gross domestic product by over 20 percent.

Acting Director General of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Ishaq Arabiyat, described the agreement as a crucial stride towards reinforcing and empowering women in the business landscape, particularly within the industrial sector, a primary employer of the local workforce with around 260,000 male and female employees.

Arabiyat stressed that the collaboration between the two entities aims to elevate the empowerment and employment rates of women in the industrial domain, striving for gender-balanced job opportunities.

He underlined the private sector’s pivotal role in advancing women’s economic empowerment by ensuring equal job access and fostering a secure and supportive work environment.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Health Firas Hawari received on Wednesday evening his Tunisian counterpart, Ali Mrabet, who is visiting the Kingdom to participate in the meetings of the Supreme Council of

the Arab Board of Health Specializations (ABHS) and the meetings of the Council Executive Office, which will be held on Friday and Saturday in Amman with the participation of a number of Arab health ministers.

The guest was received at Queen Alia International Airport by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care and Epidemics, Raed Shboul, ABHS Secretary-General Omar Al-Rousan, and Tunisian Ambassador to Jordan, Mufida Al-Zaribi.

The two ministers will discuss on Thursday the prospects of cooperation between the Jordanian and Tunisian Ministries of Health and a number of topics of common interest between the two countries in the health sector.

Source: Jordan News Agency

New York, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Qussai Dahhak, stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation in the field of climate action, and for developed countries to assume their responsibilities in providing the necessary assistance to developing countries, and to fulfill their obligations to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of climate change.

During the Security Council’s high-level open debate on Tuesday, Dahhak underlined the necessity of immediately, completely and unconditionally lift the coercive measures that hinder providing technical support and modern technologies and the grants and aid allocated to developing countries to enable them to achieve sustainable development goals.

‘This month marks the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Syria on the sixth of February 2023, which left thousands of victims and injured, and destroyed hundreds of buildings, infrastructure and service facilities,’ Dahhak said.

He added that Syria has done its be
st to deal with the disaster, carry out rescue work and provide care and support to the affected, and granted the necessary facilitations to the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

The Syrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations added that the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and the European Union on the Syrian people hindered relief and humanitarian work, prevented the provision of heavy machinery, civil protection equipment, basic medical equipment and materials necessary to rescue victims, and deprived the affected and Syrians of all their basic needs.

Dahhak noted that Syria, like other countries, is affected by climate change, which has caused a decrease in rainfall, increased drought, desertification, and dust storms, which has had negative repercussions on the lives of Syrians and their ability to secure their basic needs.

Dahhak slammed the practices of the Turkish government which have exacerbated the suffering of the Syrian people due to its violation
of its international obligations and bilateral agreements.

He pointed out that the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, has serious repercussions on the environment, as a result of the occupying power bulldozing agricultural lands, cutting down fruit trees, burying hazardous waste, and using internationally prohibited weapons.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Cairo: Ambassador Amjad Adaileh, Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, led the Jordanian delegation at the 113th session of the Economic and Social Council, which Jordan will preside over starting tomorrow, Thursday.

During the meeting, Adaileh emphasized Jordan’s commitment to bolstering joint Arab efforts. He highlighted that Jordan prioritizes supporting Arab cooperation in political, economic, and social realms, underscoring the country’s dedication to serving alongside its Arab counterparts under the auspices of the Arab League.

Adaileh affirmed Jordan’s intention to enhance opportunities for collaboration among Arab nations during its presidency of the session. Despite the challenges facing the region, he emphasized the importance of not allowing crises to hinder cooperation, citing the Economic and Social Council as a pivotal tool for maximizing commonalities and fostering deeper ties among Arab states.

Addressing the current session’s agenda, Adaileh emphasized the critical need for
sustained Arab cooperation amidst pressing regional and international circumstances.

He particularly highlighted the urgent necessity of collective action to address the Palestinian issue and confront the severe humanitarian repercussions of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Adaileh outlined strategies to alleviate the crisis, including efforts to break the siege, increase humanitarian aid, establish field hospitals, and plan for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

Adaileh commenced the opening session, followed by a closed session focusing on agenda items and recommendations for the upcoming ministerial meeting on Thursday. He commended the Republic of Yemen for its constructive efforts during its presidency of the previous session of the Economic and Social Council.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ahmed Hanandeh highlighted the Jordanian government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation by enhancing the preparedness of public sector institutions for adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and innovative solutions. The goal is to enhance government services, improving their efficiency and quality.

As part of the Arab Government Administration Forum’s third session on “Artificial Intelligence and Data Anticipating the Future of Arab Government Administration,” organized by the Arab Organization for Development in collaboration with the Arab League and the government of the United Arab Emirates, Minister Hanandeh participated in a dialogue session titled “Where are Arab governments in terms of artificial intelligence.”

During the session, Hanandeh emphasized the importance of developing technological and digital skills across sectors. He stressed the need for alignment with local, regional, and international market demands, con
sidering the evolving landscape of global employment and the necessity of enhancing awareness and qualifications in digital, technological, and AI-related skills among public sector employees.

Hanandeh noted Jordan’s significant progress in the Government AI Readiness Index 2023, ranking 55th out of 193 countries worldwide according to the report by Oxford Insights. This achievement aligns with Jordan’s strategy and its 2023-2027 executive plan for AI, aiming to apply AI tools to enhance public sector efficiency, prioritize key sectors, build a supportive AI system in Jordan, and foster an environment conducive to investment and entrepreneurship in AI, backed by a supportive regulatory framework.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Amman Mayor Yousef Al-Shawarbeh lauded the partnership and coordination with the Capital Governorate Council at all levels and the Greater Amman Municipality’s (GAM) readiness to consult and discuss with the Council any future prospects for cooperation that serve the capital and its citizens.

During a meeting on Wednesday at the Al-Hussein Cultural Center, Al-Shawarbeh briefed the Council’s Chairman, Ahmad Al-Abdallat, and the Council’s members on the GAM’s strategic plan for 2022-2026, key achievements, and service projects.

Al-Shawarbeh said that “GAM has large assets when evaluated and listed, estimated at about JD2.4 billion, of which assets available for investment are worth JD1 billion.”

He added that GAM has launched the Amman Vision Investment and Development (AVID) Company, and that the first project was the Medical City with the Saudi Investment Fund at a cost of JD280 million, where GAM owns the land and rented it to the fund, in addition to the signing of 30 investment projects worth JD8
0 million by GAM.

He pointed out that there are 18 new investment opportunities that are packages offered at intervals, noting that the Motor City project in Al Madounah, which is located on an area of ??1000 dunums, is one of the qualitative projects for the partnership between GAM and an Emirati investment company.

Al-Shawarbeh explained that GAM has accomplished 86.2% of its strategy after two years of its launch, pointing out that public transportation projects extend for 10 years because they require infrastructure, large sources of funding, and the implementation of projects. The public transportation ecosystem, whether infrastructure or operational, requires time periods.

He said that GAM’s 5-year strategic plan, includes 212 projects and initiatives with a budget of up to JD918 million, and that GAM has taken into account that the institutional goals are aligned with the government’s national goals, as well as with the global sustainable development goals.

Al-Shawarbeh explained during his present
ation of the public transportation ecosystem that AVID’s buses feature surveillance cameras, a tracking system, electronic payment, and at specific times, and that GAM has floated a tender to operate the buses through experienced international companies with a condition of 51% for an international operator and 49% for a local operator in order to transfer international knowledge and experience and localize and institutionalize it before the local operator.

Source: Jordan News Agency