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AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Wednesday urged the National Council for Future Technology to focus its efforts on advancing digital infrastructure, developing legislation, and enhancing its alignment with technological requirements. 

Chairing a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan who is chairman of the council, the Crown Prince was briefed on the progress of specialised sub-committees working to develop programmes that will contribute to a qualitative leap in the technology sector, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Royal Highness also emphasised the importance of using data and advanced technology to improve the quality of health services provided to citizens as well as to increase efficiency and productivity within the health sector, the statement said. 

• Two leaders discuss efforts to stop  war on Gaza, resume flow of humanitarian aid, stop dangerous escalations in West Bank
• His Majesty, UAE president reiterate rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah  met on Tuesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting, held at Al Bateen Palace, touched on the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and peoples, as well as ways to expand cooperation across all fields.

The two leaders stressed the need to maintain coordination on various issues of mutual concern, in the best interests of the two countries and bolstering their security and stability, as well as in service of Arab causes, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Regional developments were also discussed, particularly efforts to stop the war on Gaza, resume the flow of humanitarian aid, stop dangerous escalations in the West Bank, and reject any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.

Sheikh Mohamed hosted an iftar for His Majesty and the accompanying delegation.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh accompanied the King on the visit, the statement said. 

Earlier, His Majesty was received at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed and a number of senior officials, who were also there to bid the King farewell.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday was briefed on progress to update the National Social Protection Strategy for 2025-2033, which is a continuation of work implemented under the 2019-2025 strategy.

During a meeting with relevant officials, His Majesty emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors as well as civil society organisations when implementing the strategy, in order to develop an effective social protection and welfare sector, a Royal Court statement  said.

The King highlighted the importance of monitoring implementation of the strategy, evaluating performance based on clear objectives, and raising citizens’ awareness of the updated strategy and its programmes.

The updated strategy aims to empower recipients of social protection services and promote economic growth by integrating the social protection and welfare sector into Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision, as an official sector under the EMV’s Quality of Life pillar.

The strategy includes plans to launch the Jordanian Social Register, which aims to improve the effectiveness of reaching target groups that need or receive social protection services, the statement said. 

The meeting, attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, included discussions on the achievements of the 2019-2025 National Social Protection Strategy.

For her part, Social Development Minister Wafaa Bani Mustafa explained that the medium and long-term goals of the updated strategy include expanding the coverage of social protection services, ensuring precision in targeting beneficiaries, improving efficiency in spending, and linking social protection programmes electronically.

The strategy also includes provisions aimed at increasing community awareness of the concept of social protection, strengthening communication with the public, and activating the role of the private sector and civil society organisations.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

- Gov't endorses digital transformation, flexible work measures

-  Phosphate mining concessions, green hydrogen investments approved 

- Jordan secures 31 million euro Dutch grant for National Carrier Project

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Tuesday, in a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved a series of legislative, economic, and administrative decisions aimed at boosting economic growth, attracting investment, and improving public administration.

Minister of Government Communications and Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani outlined the measures in a press conference at the Prime Ministry, emphasising reforms, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Cabinet approved a draft amendment to the 2025 Property Law, aimed at streamlining property procedures, regulating expropriation and compensation, and ensuring fairness in dispute resolution. 

The Council of Ministers also endorsed amendments to the 2025 Groundwater Monitoring Bylaw to regulate unlicensed wells and promote sustainable water extraction.

The rationale for amending the 2025 Work Permit Fees Regulation for non-Jordanians was approved, aiming to ease the financial burden on employers, enhance compliance with labour laws and introduce structured fee adjustments.

To address prison overcrowding, the government advanced amendments to the 2025 Penal Code, focusing on alternative sentencing and rehabilitative justice.

In a move to encourage industrial development, the Cabinet reduced land prices in Hussein Industrial City in Karak and Tafileh Industrial City from JD25 per square metre to JD10, aiming to attract investors and create jobs.

The government also granted four phosphate mining concessions on state-owned land in Maan’s Shidiyeh and Abu Amoud Al Gharbi for 25 years.

Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was approved with China’s International Energy Group to invest in green hydrogen and its derivatives, reinforcing Jordan’s commitment to expanding clean energy.

To support businesses, the Cabinet resolved 730 tax disputes between companies and the Income and Sales Tax Department, providing relief and promoting financial compliance.

The Council of Ministers also endorsed the rationale for the 2025 Government Services Management and Development System, aimed at enhancing digital transformation and institutional efficiency. Measures included implementing flexible work arrangements, remote work options, and rotating shifts to optimise public service delivery.

The 2025 oversight and compliance bylaw was also enacted to strengthen administrative accountability and ensure adherence to legal frameworks.

As part of efforts to finance key projects, the government approved a 31 million euro grant agreement from the Dutch government for the Aqaba-Amman National Carrier Project. The initiative will desalinate 300 million cubic metres of seawater annually to address Jordan’s water shortage.

The Cabinet also allocated land in Aqaba’s Qreiqira region and Baqoura in northern Shuna for agricultural and food security projects, requiring investment activation within three years.

On education, the government approved the rationale for the 2025 regulation of the Royal Academy for Inclusive Education. It also endorsed a joint declaration with Germany ahead of the 2025 Global Disability Summit in Berlin, reaffirming Jordan’s commitment to disability rights and education reform.

Diplomatically, Jordan established relations with Timor-Leste and Grenada and ratified a development policy agreement with the World Bank. The agreement aims to strengthen economic competitiveness, facilitate SME participation in public procurement, and improve access to finance.

On regional issues, Momani reiterated Jordan’s firm opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to Palestinian statehood based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

AMMAN — Minister of Justice Bassam Talhouni on Tuesday announced that proposed amendments to the Penal Code aim to ease prison overcrowding by expanding the use of alternative sentences. 

Talhouni highlighted that the Kingdom’s prison occupancy rate has reached 180 percent, underscoring the need for reform,  Al Mamlaka TV reported. 

Talhouni highlighted electronic monitoring bracelets as a key alternative, allowing authorities to track offenders remotely. He stressed that these measures would not apply to serious crimes but would facilitate social reconciliation between complainants and defendants within a broader framework of alternative sentencing.

The amendments would also allow offenders serving short sentences to pay a fine in exchange for early release, provided they have demonstrated good behavior during incarceration, he added.

The Cabinet has approved the rationale for the 2025 Penal Code amendment, paving the way for its submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further review and expedited issuance.

The draft law seeks to expand alternative sanctions, increase the number of beneficiaries, and align with restorative and rehabilitative justice principles. These measures aim to reintegrate offenders into society and reduce recidivism.

Additionally, the amendments introduce provisions for suspending sentence execution after final judgments and granting judges the authority to defer or allow installment payments of fines. These changes are designed to ease the burden on minor offenders and alleviate prison overcrowding.

AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture and Board of Directors of the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) Khaled Hneifaton on Tuesday approved the launch of a "subsidised" loan programme for Jordan's agricultural entrepreneurs within the Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).

Hneifaton said that interest rates and profit margins would range between 2-2.25 percent, aimed at financing specific agricultural projects that rely on modern technology, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The board also approved grant loans to farmers and agricultural companies to enhance post-harvest logistical services, mainly packaging and refrigeration processes, aimed at improving infrastructure and facilitating marketing and sales of agricultural products.

The board said these initiatives come within the framework of supporting agricultural investments and raising the sector's "efficiency," which would contribute to achieving "sustainable" development and enhancing food security.

Also on Tuesday, the ACC and Technical and Vocational Skill Development Commission (TVSDC)  signed a cooperation agreement, aimed at supporting and financing small and medium-sized agricultural and rural projects across the Kingdom's governorates.

The agreement aims to provide the "necessary" funding to establish agricultural and rural projects and provide financial support to job seekers and entrepreneurs to establish small and medium-sized projects in the Kingdom's agricultural and rural sectors, which would contribute to reducing poverty and unemployment.

Within the framework of the Economic Modernisation Vision, the agreement also features steps to encourage innovation and the introduction of modern technology in Jordan's agricultural sector by supporting innovative and entrepreneurial projects.

The ACC also said that the agreement focuses on integrating modern technology into agricultural activities, aimed at enhancing "efficiency and productivity of this vital sector."

AMMAN — Thirty imams and preachers working at the Awqaf Ministry and Iftaa departments in the army and security agencies have benefited from His Majesty King Abdullah’s makruma to help clerics intending to get married.

Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, who also heads the committee for following up on Royal initiatives, delivered the aid to this year’s beneficiaries during a ceremony held at King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque.

This royal initiative, which has benefited over 630 imams and preachers since its inception in 2003, is a testament to His Majesty’s appreciation for this vital group of citizens and their noble role in serving Islam, according to a Royal Court Statement.

It also reaffirms their mission of spreading Islam’s teachings, promoting its tolerant image, and reinforcing its moderate principles.

Issawi emphasised the King's deep commitment to supporting imams and preachers, enabling them to fulfill their duties in serving the houses of Allah and guiding society toward positive, virtuous behavior, while protecting youth from extremist ideologies.

He also highlighted the importance of imams’ and preachers’ roles in promoting moderation and balance, fostering a sense of community, and combating extremism and misinformation. Their religious and societal guidance, he noted, plays a crucial role in building a united, informed society.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalayleh expressed his appreciation for this annual royal initiative, which supports imams and preachers about to marry from the Ministry of Awqaf, the armed forces, and security agencies.