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AMMAN — The first research centre in the region solely dedicated to tackling poverty will be built in Amman, following a recommendation put forth by the Ministry of Social Development in 2018 during the last Arab summit in Riyadh.

According to a statement made available to The Jordan Times, one of the Arab League’s sub-councils agreed last year to create the centre for the purpose of conducting studies on social policies and battling poverty.

In a meeting held on Sunday with the presence of Arab League representatives, European Union delegates and social development workers, the centre’s establishment was announced.

“This centre is the first of its kind in the region, which will allow us to build a joint database among Arab countries on issues such as multidimensional poverty,” Minister of Social Development Basma Ishaqat said in the statement.

The ministry has already drafted an organisational structure for the centre and has set a time frame for its creation, according to Sultan Drobi, a media officer at the ministry. He added: “The concerned parties in Jordan have already been contacted to start execution.”

Arab League representative, Tarek Nabulsi, pointed out that the centre would produce reports on strategies to overcome poverty while simultaneously doing so itself by creating job opportunities.

“Not only will the centre set programmes to eliminate poverty and nurture financial growth, but it will also employ and engage youth in its research,” he said.

AMMAN —  The Independent Elections Commission (IEC) and USAID signed an agreement aiming at enhancing cooperation in implementing the IEC’s projects and plans seeking to enhance the democratisation process, political representation and best electoral practices, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The agreement was signed by IEC Chairman Khaled Kalaldeh and USAID Mission Director Jim Barnhart. During the signing ceremony, Kalaldeh said the agreement would contribute to the commission’s efforts to achieve integrity, impartiality and independence.

Under the agreement, USAID will support the installation of solar panels for the IEC’s building in addition to the establishment of an advanced media centre.

AMMAN — Jordanian imports of shoes and clothes has declined 27 per cent during the first quarter of 2019, compared with the same period last year, the Garment Traders Association said President Munir Dayeh on Tuesday.

Garment imports have been in decline since 2016, the association’s president, Munir Dayeh, said in a statement. Dayeh pointed to the difficulties facing the sector due to a decline in purchasing power.

Shop sales in March were below the taxable threshold, which was reflective of the sector’s situation, he added. The Kingdom’s shoe exports also declined to JD39 million in 2018, compared with JD48 million in 2017 and JD62 million in 2016, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

AMMAN — The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), in cooperation with Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, on Tuesday dispatched eight trucks laden with humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

JHCO Secretary General Ayman Mifleh said that the convoy came in implementation of Royal Directives to alleviate the burdens of the Palestinian people in Gaza and support their steadfastness, pointing out that the organisation will continue receiving donations to be delivered to the Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also said that the aid convoy will be delivered to the Jordanian military field hospital in Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry and Al Weam Charity Association in the coastal enclave.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat on Tuesday received Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalid Bin Mohammad Attiyah and an accompanying delegation at the Queen Alia International Airport.

The Qatari minister will be holding discussions with Freihat, in addition to visiting a number of military sites, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan on Tuesday released a statement expressing sadness and condolences over the massive fire that ripped through the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

Prince Hassan said: “It was with deep sadness that we watched the great cathedral of Notre Dame in flames last night; that historic monument which has been witness to the best and worst of human history down the centuries.”

“Our ancient sacred spaces bear testimony to the growth of civilisation and human endeavour. They are monuments to the human ability to create, so too do they epitomise our ability to endure, rebuild and renew. As Victor Hugo wrote in his masterpiece about the great cathedral, ‘Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of the ages,’” the prince added.

“I salute the brave fire officers and the people of France at this tragic moment. I wish the people of Paris well as they strive together to return the ancient heart of their city to her former glory and, in the not too distant future, inshallah, the famous bells of ‘Our Lady’ will ring out once more.”

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday sent a cable to French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his support to the leader and his people in light of a fire that damaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, His Majesty expressed his sorrow for the damage to the cathedral, which is considered to be one of humanity’s most significant religious and historical heritage sites.

AMMAN — The Lower House Jordan-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship Committee, headed by MP Haitham Zayadin, on Tuesday discussed with Mexican Chargé d’Affaires Abel Abarca Ayala the enhancement of bilateral ties.

The formation of the committee to promote parliamentary partnership between the two countries came in compliance with His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives, Zayadin noted.

Members of the committee pointed to King Abdullah’s firm position on the Palestinian cause and the Hashemite Custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Mexican house of representatives also plans to form a Mexico-Jordan friendship association, the diplomat said. Abarca also expressed appreciation for the ties between Jordan and Mexico and called for their enhancement in service of the two countries’ interests, according to Petra.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat on Tuesday signed the Public Security Department’s (PSD) anti-narcotics and festive shooting manifest.

The PSD launched a campaign to collect 1 million signatures against the use of illicit narcotics and firearms in celebrations.

In a statement that was carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said that the chief’s signature came in support of the campaign’s goals and objects to combat these and all other negative social behaviours and trends.

AMMAN — Dividends for the year 2018 at the Amman Stock Market (ASM) totalled at a “historic” JD686.8 million, a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.

The general assembly of public shareholding companies listed in the ASM approved their boards’ recommendations to distribute the cash dividends for 2018, citing JD1.17 billion in total net profits, up 41.8 per cent from JD824.6 million in 2017, Petra reported.

The banking sector won the lion’s share, distributing JD533.5 million in dividends, with the Arab Bank presiding at JD288.4 million, approximately 45 per cent of its capital.

Dividends of The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance and the Bank of Jordan reached JD47.3 million and JD36 million, at 15 and 18 per cent of their capital, respectively.

The Islamic Bank’s board of directors recommended the distribution of JD27 million, at 15 per cent of capital, while the Etihad Bank’s shareholders got some JD22.4 million, followed by Capital Bank and Cairo Amman Bank with JD20 million and JD16.2 million, respectively.

According to the statement, the performance of mining companies in 2018 showed improvement, as the Arab Potash Company’s board has approved the distribution of JD100 million in cash dividends, at 120 per cent of the company’s capital.

The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) also decided to distribute JD16.5 million in cash dividends, at 20 per cent of its capital.

The JPMC has not distributed cash dividends since 2012, but three years ago, the company increased its capital by 10 per cent, issuing the bonus shares.

The Social Security Investment Fund’s (SSIF) cash dividends were “unprecedented”, amounting to JD102 million, said SSIF Chairperson Khloud Sakkaf, highlighting the Arab Bank’s dividends.

Notably, the Arab Bank owns 17 per cent of the fund’s shares, Sakkaf underlined in the statement.

So far, 62 profiting companies have distributed cash dividends, at different rates, while the other companies listed in the ASM are continue to deliberate, Petra reported.