Author: Web Desk

Amman: The Iraqi Business Council, in collaboration with the Jordanian and Amman Chambers of Industry, is set to organize an economic forum on April 21st. This gathering aims to enhance financial, industrial, and commercial partnerships among Iraq, Jordan, and other regional countries.

The forum will take place at the King Hussein Convention Center in the Dead Sea area. It promises to be a specialized platform dedicated to discussing economic and financing issues pertinent to investment.

The event will spotlight the myriad of investment, commercial, and industrial opportunities available in Jordan and Iraq. Additionally, it will delve into banking policies, their pivotal role in supporting private sector activities, and the future of cooperation between Jordanian and Iraqi banks. Other key topics include the impact of digital transformation on banking and health sector services, smart cities, and cybersecurity measures.

Saad Naji, Vice President of the Iraqi Business Council in Amman and head of the forum’
s preparatory committee, emphasized the forum’s role in exploring investment climates and economic opportunities.

The two-day event will gather government officials, corporate representatives, business owners, and investors from Jordan, Iraq, and beyond to foster networking and establish strategic partnerships.

Naji highlighted that the forum would offer a comprehensive overview of the investment climate in both Iraq and Jordan, including legal frameworks, financial channels, and the economic modernization vision’s foundational initiatives and projects.

This initiative by the Iraqi government aims to introduce investors to a range of sectors ripe for investment.

Moreover, the forum seeks to facilitate direct communication among investors, companies, and participants, encouraging the exploration of partnerships and bilateral meetings. It aims to provide insights into the economic and investment landscape and its evolving dynamics, catering to investors interested in the Iraqi, Jordanian, or other regional
markets.

Naji further stated that the event would focus on enhancing investment opportunities across Iraq, Jordan, and the broader region to attract foreign and regional investment. This will be supported by modern legislation, investment incentives, and efforts to tackle regional challenges and promote stability.

The forum also aims to connect investors with local companies seeking financing for expansion, thereby fostering regional integration and long-term partnerships. Success stories from companies and entrepreneurs in Jordan and Iraq will be showcased, underlining the benefits of investing in the region.

A special website for the forum has been launched (https://ibc-conf.com/) to facilitate registration and provide detailed information to prospective participants.

Fathi Al-Jaghbir, head of the Jordanian and Amman Chambers of Industry, emphasized Iraq’s role as a crucial economic partner for Jordan. He expressed optimism for enhanced economic relations that serve mutual interests and underscored the
significant cooperation opportunities between the private sectors of the two nations.

The Iraqi Business Council in Amman, established in 2006, continues to play a vital role in promoting trade exchange and fostering economic ties between Jordan and Iraq through various initiatives and activities.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: A number of Palestinians were killed and others were injured last night after Israel bombed several areas in the Gaza Strip.

According to Palestinian sources Saturday, at least 14 Palestinians were killed and others were injured in Rafah city, south of the coastal enclave after Israel targeted two homes.

The Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Gaza Strip continues for the 127th day, by land, sea and air, claiming more than 27,840 Palestinian lives and 67,300 injuries, according to an initial toll.

Meanwhile, thousands of victims remain under rubble and on roads, as the Israeli occupation blocks ambulance and rescue crews to access causalities.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, Khalil Haj Tawfiq, has called on Jordanian and Tunisian companies to forge stronger partnerships, enhancing their nations’ commercial, industrial, and investment relations.

During a meeting with Tunisian Ambassador to Jordan, Mufida Zaribi, Haj Tawfiq emphasized the necessity of boosting connections between private sector entities to elevate trade exchanges to match the ambitions of both countries.

Despite recent improvements, the trade exchange levels between Jordan and Tunisia remain below expected ambitions, prompting calls for intensified efforts to enhance them and to develop effective strategies for overcoming obstacles.

The trade between the two nations has seen significant growth over the past two years, with a notable balance in exports and imports. Trade volume over the last ten months reached $30 million, equally distributed between Jordan and Tunisia. This growth signifies a potential for further expansion and collaboration.

Haj Tawfiq unde
rscored the importance of the upcoming joint higher committee meeting between Jordan and Tunisia. He proposed organizing joint exhibitions and business forums alongside these meetings to better explore and capitalize on available opportunities for mutual benefits.

The discussions, which also involved Bahjat Hamdan, the Second Vice President of the Chamber, highlighted the potential in sectors like information technology, tourism, and the food and pharmaceutical industries.

These sectors are seen as pivotal for expanding the goods exchange base, thereby strengthening the partnership between Jordan and Tunisia.

The meeting at the Chamber’s headquarters also explored ways to enhance tourism cooperation and facilitate tourist exchanges between the two countries. The promotion of each country’s tourism through respective chambers and member companies was discussed as a strategy to deepen ties.

Ambassador Zaribi expressed Tunisia’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing economic and trade relations with Jordan
. She announced a Tunisian economic delegation’s visit to Jordan next April, focusing on showcasing Tunisia’s mechanical, electrical, and automobile spare industries.

Arrangements are underway for the joint Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee meeting in Amman, expected to address comprehensive economic cooperation files among other areas.

The discussions also emphasized the importance of the Mediterranean Free Trade Area (Agadir) agreement, involving Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco. This agreement is seen as crucial for achieving economic integration and boosting trade and investment exchanges among the member states.

The emphasis on specific sectors with added value, particularly tourism, aims to increase visitor numbers and strengthen economic ties between Jordan and Tunisia, showcasing a concerted effort to enhance bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Jordan warned on Saturday against an Israeli military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, which is home to a large number of Palestinian refugees who were displaced by the ongoing Israeli aggression on the enclave.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ spokesman Sufyan Qudah reiterated the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of the displacement of Palestinians inside or outside their land, emphasizing the need to end the war, protect civilians and allow for their return to their homes and access of aid to all parts of Gaza.

He urged the international community to take immediate action to prevent Israel from continuing its ferocious war, which is causing “an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” and stressed the need that the UN Security Council shoulders its responsibility without delay to prevent a dangerous deterioration and impose an immediate ceasefire.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Higher Education Forum 2024 kicked off Saturday at the University of Jordan to tackle four key topics: governance, funding, university admission policies and scientific research.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Muhafzah said the sector is a top interest of His Majesty King Abdullah due to its role in accelerating development, modernizing the state and developing qualified human resources, which is a real asset of the country.

He announced that the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research are about to merge into one ministry, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, under the public sector modernization scheme, which requires new legislation to replace current education, higher education and scientific research and Jordanian universities laws.

The minister pointed out that the governance of universities is “a real challenge” in higher education reform due to the multiple councils, starting with the Academic Department and ending up with
the Board of Deans, which were not spared from critique despite comprising competent senior members.

He said the Education Council adopted a new secondary education plan splitting students after nineth grade into two streams, academic and vocational, and that the secondary stream for both tracks will be three years (tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades), without affecting compulsory education till 10th grade.

Under the new system, he added, tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate Examination) will be taken over two years as proposed by an ad hoc committee that was formed by the Education Council.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: A number of Palestinians were killed and others were injured last night after Israel bombed several areas in the Gaza Strip.

According to Palestinian sources Saturday, at least 14 Palestinians were killed and others were injured in Rafah city, south of the coastal enclave after Israel targeted two homes.

The Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Gaza Strip continues for the 127th day, by land, sea and air, claiming more than 27,840 Palestinian lives and 67,300 injuries, according to an initial toll.

Meanwhile, thousands of victims remain under rubble and on roads, as the Israeli occupation blocks ambulance and rescue crews to access causalities.

Source: Jordan News Agency