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AMMAN — All ministries and public departments will be on holiday from Friday, June 15, to Monday, June 18, in observance of Eid Al Fitr holiday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Eid Al Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is due to start on Friday, June 15 or on Saturday, June 16, depending on the sighting of the moon of the new lunar month.

AMMAN  — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has since the beginning of Ramadan destroyed 72,000 litres of juice and 3,855 kilogrammes of foodstuff, and has issued 1,126 fines and 920 warnings to shops that failed to meet health standards, the Jordan News agency, Petra, reported.

The various GAM departments, in cooperation with Rangers, will proceed with inspection campaigns throughout the holy month. Meanwhile, the municipality has also removed 80,250 tonnes of waste from various areas of the capital at a daily average of approximately 3,600 tonnes since the beginning of Ramadan.

AMMAN — A study on child marriage in Jordan has revealed that the rate of underage marriages has remained at the same level for several years, according to official figures and statistics, despite the efforts of government institutions and civil society organisations.

Tamkeen Fields for Aid (TFA), which conducted the study and announced its results on Saturday, explained that the it showed that the increase in the number of underage marriages for girls is directly proportional to the increase in the Jordanian population, and that the Syrian crisis did not contribute to its increase.

Linda Kalash, TFA’s executive director, attributed the many cases of child marriage to economic and educational factors.

AMMAN — The culture of parks and the atmosphere of Ramadan were brought to life when Night at the Park kicked off in Amman on Wednesday.

The event, which concluded on Friday at The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts Park in Jabal Luweibdeh, included a set of activities such as storytelling, a literature corner, an art section, musical performances and other entertaining family activities, according to organiser Hind Jucka.

“We wanted to do something that highlights our Arabic culture, so we thought we would do such an activity in Ramadan during nighttime,” she told The Jordan Times during the opening of the event.

Jucka said they wanted to bring attention to eastern music and Arabic art.

“The younger generations are not aware of such aspects of their culture, so we wanted to revive them,” she added.

Jucka said the event intends to provide Ammanis with a different option for spending their Ramadan nights other than attending Ramadan tents which are characterised by loud music and the smoke of argilah (shisha).

George Rizq Allah, a calligraphy artist who is participating in the event, said it is very important to have this kind of art presented during such activities.

“Our language is usually linked to this art which is basically forgotten, and people and institutions are not paying attention to it. Technology had a negative impact on this art,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that these activities help promote this particular branch of art.

Nada Kurd, a visitor who brought along her nephews to enjoy the event, said such activities help shape the character of children as they practise art at this event.

“It helps enhance their creativity,” she added.

Kurd noted that this event brought attention to the culture of parks.

“There are other parks in Amman but they are small and not well promoted,” she added.

Ghaith Bahdosha, who sells books and plays the role of storyteller, said Night at the Park encourages people to read.

“It is very important to do something different after Iftar time and make people aware that they have other cultural options other than having an argilah or heading to a cafe in Ramadan,” he added.

AMMAN — Secretary General of the Jordan Water Authority Eyad Dhayyat on Saturday met with a British government delegation to discuss water issues in Jordan, the ongoing project of the Kofranja dam and its positive impact as a major water reservation storage in Jordan, a joint statement by the British embassy and UKaid said. 

The meeting was attended by the UK's Minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt, head of the Department for International Development (DFID) Amanda McLoughlin and British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden, in addition to community leaders and government staff. The Kofranja dam project is implemented by MercyCorps Jordan through the UKaidfunded "Leadership and community Development Programme". 

Speaking at the meeting, Burt offered his warmest congratulations to the newly appointed prime minister, Omar Razzaz, saying” "I look forward to working with his new government to continue building the UK-Jordan partnership."

“The UK is a partner Jordan can rely on, and we are committed to making sure the country remains a beacon of hope and stability in the Middle East. Our support is helping create jobs, providing a quality education and skills training, and ensuring that most vulnerable have the support they need," he stated.

“We are also hosting an international investor conference in London to build international support for Jordan so that the private sector can continue to be an engine for growth, giving all Jordanians the opportunities they deserve,” the minister was quoted in the statement as saying.

Programme Manager Zaid Hatokey mentioned that the project is "an example of the infrastructure and community development initiatives identified by community leaders of Jordanians and Syrians in host communities based on local priorities and needs to overcome any conflicts and pressure on public services due to the Syrian crisis". 

 “The success of this participatory approach in creating social dialogue and cohesion encouraged us to extend efforts and establish youth community leaders network to replicate the same methodology with a focus on local needs and initiatives required for youth," Hatokey noted, adding “we also established the first elected community leaders council to institutionalise and sustain the capacity-building and approach adopted by the programme.” 

 “Projects established in target communities included public safe spaces, football playgrounds, health centres, additional classrooms,  and rehabilitation centres for people with disabilities… Community leaders identified these projects and participated in managing implementation,” he concluded. 

The UK delegation met with the engineers involved in managing the Dam project and spoke to community leaders who highlighted the positive impact of the project on the area and Jordan as one of the major water collection and reservation projects in the Kingdom. They said it helped boost the agricultural area and attract visitors from Jordan and abroad as a touristic attraction.

In 2018, UK aid support to Jordan includes providing loans to encourage investment from other international donors, launching apprenticeships and vocational skills training to help 10,000 Jordanians over the next three years, and giving life-saving support to 60,000 of the most vulnerable refugees and Jordanians, the statement said.

The support is part of the UK’s long-term partnership with Jordan, which was discussed by His Majesty King Abdullah and UK Prime Minister Theresa May in November and is expected to witness a significant increase in funding and diplomatic support for Jordan.

 RIYADH—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan will meet Sunday to discuss ways to support Amman as it looks to tackle an economic crisis in the wake of protests.

Riyadh said in statement Saturday that King Salman called the rulers of the three other nations to set up a meeting in Mecca after demonstrations rocked Jordan over a proposed tax hike.

"They agreed to hold a meeting comprising the four countries...to discuss means of supporting Jordan to overcome its current crisis," the statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Jordan, a close US ally that relies heavily on donors, is struggling to curb its debt after securing a $723-million loan from the International Monetary Fund in 2016.

Austerity measures tied to the loan have seen prices of basic necessities rise across the kingdom -- culminating in a week of angry protests over tax proposals that forced prime minister Hani Mulki to resign.

The authorities on Thursday announced they were withdrawing the unpopular legislation, but still face a mammoth task to balance popular demands with the need to reduce the public debt burden.

Jordan blames its economic woes on instability rocking the region and the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from war-torn Syria, complaining it has not received enough international support.

The World Bank says Jordan has "weak growth prospects" this year, while 18.5 percent of the working age population is unemployed.

Saudi Arabia and the United States are two of the major donors providing vital economic assistance to Jordan.
 

AMMAN — Prime Minister-designate Omar Razzaz has pledged to withdraw the income tax draft law after the new government takes the oath before the King. 

After meeting leading businessmen, bankers and professional associations leaders at the Prime Ministry’s Guest House, Razzaz told reporters that that there are three reasons to make the move, the first of which is that the tax law is too significant and touches on the livelihoods of all people and segments of society and so it needs to be discussed more thoroughly than it has been, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Razzaz added that the income tax bill should be discussed as part of the entire tax burden that includes indirect and direct taxation.

The third reason, he explained, is that the government is convinced that tax evasion is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.  

In a Tweet later in the day, Razzaz said that a “positive atmosphere” prevailed during his meetings where discussions focused on how best to implement the King’s directives in the Letter of Designation.

“Dialogue and consultations will be the approach adopted by the government regarding public policymaking. Withdrawing the income tax bill will be a step in that direction,” he said.  

Petra also quoted President of the Professional Associations Council Ali Obous as saying that Razzaz met their demand to withdraw the bill and the Civil Service By-law, adding that he sensed from the discussions with the PM-designate that “there has been a change in approach” to economic woes. 

In remarks to the press following a meeting between Razzaz and Senate President Faisal Al Fayez on Thursday, the latter said that the discussions reached a conclusion to withdraw the bill after the Cabinet members take the oath of office.

Fayez called on Razzaz to form a government that is able to translate the directives included in Letter of Designation into facts on the ground, especially those items related to carrying out an inclusive national dialogue on a new income tax law that can receive national consensus.

He expressed hope that Razzaz’ government wins the confidence of Jordanians and the Parliament. 

Also on Thursday, Razzaz met Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh as part of his preparations for forming a new government.

Razzaz expressed his keenness to sustain cooperation and coordination with the Parliament to implement His Majesty King Abdullah’s visions to serve the country and citizens, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In this regard, the premier-designate stressed that the government’s top priority will be holding consultations with both Chambers of the Parliament and professional associations on the income tax draft law and the entire action plan of the Cabinet. 

For his part, Tarawneh highlighted the importance of expediting the process of the bill’s withdrawal, noting that most MPs are against the amendments made to the existing law.

He added that the House would reject these amendments when they are presented to the extraordinary session’s agenda, calling on Razzaz to start dialogue with the chamber blocs to acquaint them with the government’s action plan.

The new government is tasked with a national responsibility and better serving Jordanian citizens, amid formidable challenges that require swift action that follows the guidelines His Majesty set in the Letter of Designation, foremost of which was the need to start a comprehensive national development project, the speaker said. 

He added that such an enterprise has to enable Jordanians to unleash their capabilities, meet their needs through qualitative services and provide a social security system that protects the vulnerable through a fair tax system. 

In remarks to the press following the meeting, Razzaz stressed that the government’s position on all issues will be based on the result of dialogue on the income tax draft law.

He expressed confidence that dialogue would put the public mind at ease, stressing that people have the right to express their opinion via all peaceful means.

The premier-designate said that is government will listen to all participants in the dialogue and take immediate measures to put things back on track. 

Meanwhile, Razzaz also met Thursday with the Professional Associations Council, which has been leading a nationwide protest against the income tax bill that has seen two general strikes in two weeks. 

The designated premier was quoted as vowing that there would be no taxes that do not result in good-quality education and health and transportation services.

His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, performs prayers as he joins soldiers for an Iftar meal at a frontier military unit affiliated with the Southern Military Zone Command on Thursday.

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Thursday attended the graduation ceremony of the 15th class of the Royal Jordanian National Defence College and the 24th class of the Royal Jordanian War College, as well as the first class of the Strategies Programme for Countering Extremism and Terrorism.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, the Commander of the Royal Jordanian National Defence College said the faculty is proud to provide to Jordan and friendly countries a new batch of promising leaders after providing them with advanced training, “matching that provided by world-class colleges”.

He noted that the training content meets the requirements of the current stage in the region’s and world’s history.

“These leaders have become equipped with knowledge, armed with determination and ambition, and they are now ready to perform their national duties perfectly”.

At the end of the ceremony, which was also attended by HRH Prince Hashem and HRH Prince Rashid, the Crown Prince presented certificates to the graduates, who included officers from Arab and foreign countries.

The graduation ceremony was attended by a number of heads of the security services, aides of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of the Royal Air Force, members of Diplomatic Corps in the Kingdom and civilian and military officials.

AMMAN — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday it was following closely the situation in Jordan and the government’s efforts to tackle the country’s difficult economic challenges, welcoming His Majesty King Abdullah’s recent call for a national dialogue as a very positive step forward. 

IMF teams have recently visited Amman and held “productive” discussions with the authorities, the fund said.

"Significant progress was made towards recommending to our executive board the completion of the second review of the IMF-supported programme," Gerry Rice, director of the IMF Communications Department, said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

“This would make available to Jordan around $70 million, additional to the almost $1.2 billion already provided since 2012,” Rice said Thursday.

Jordan and the IMF signed a three-year extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility for Jordan for an amount of about $723 million to support the country’s economic and financial reform programme. 

Asked at a press conference in the US whether the IMF is blamed for placing Jordan under pressure, he said: “It is important to recognise that member countries commonly come to the IMF for support because their balance of payments becomes unsustainable. The policies we support under a programme are tailoured to each country’s specific circumstances to put their finances back on a sustainable path.”

“Now, in the case of Jordan, the country is facing extraordinary pressure due to a combination of factors, some — but not all — of which are beyond the authorities’ control, including the hosting of Syrian refugees…. In this context, the Jordanian authorities have asked the IMF for support and to work with them to preserve macroeconomic stability and advance reforms to promote growth and employment, which in turn can help ensure social and political stability,” Rice said, according to the transcript of the press conference obtained by The Jordan Times.

“With high public debt, low tax revenues, falling external budget grants, and large social and infrastructure needs, Jordan’s public finances need to remain underpinned by broadening the tax base so the burden is broadly shared, including by removing large tax exemptions on income and sales taxes. The focus ahead should be centred on taxing income, particularly those with greater capacity to pay, rather than consumption taxes, which tend to adversely impact relatively more the poor,” Rice said.

However, these efforts need to be complemented by reforms that enhance the business environment and reduce the cost of formal jobs, particularly for youth and women, Rice added.

Rice said the ongoing IMF-supported programme in Jordan is aimed at underpinning the government’s economic priorities, adding that authorities and the IMF team reviewed the policies and planned reforms needed to further strengthen Jordan’s inclusive growth agenda, which not only focuses on the need to preserve a gradual and steady fiscal consolidation to stabilise and reduce public debt, but also on how to stimulate employment, investment and enhance the competitiveness of the private sector.

There is also a genuine concern for the social dimension, Rice said.

“For this, it is critical that the benefits and costs of reforms are balanced and distributed across all sectors of the economy, with a greater focus on those with the capacity to pay, while also protecting the most vulnerable,” Rice added.

Meanwhile, he said that the conduct of monetary policy by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) remains appropriate and well-focused on maintaining an adequate level of reserves to support the Jordanian dinar peg, while also helping to provide supportive credit conditions to the economy. 

Looking ahead, he said, his staff is reassured by the authorities’ commitment to respond as needed to domestic, regional, and global monetary conditions, while preserving an adequate level of reserves. The authorities intend to keep gross usable reserves at about 7 months of projected imports, by the end of 2018.

The fund official added that recent events also confirm the critical importance of bold reforms to address high unemployment, particularly among youth and women, and to stimulate economic growth in a way that does not jeopardise Jordan’s hard-won macroeconomic stability. 

“In this context, our discussions included tax reforms aimed at securing resources to meet urgent spending needs — including on security, health, and education — while ensuring a fair sharing of the burden of adjustment,” Rice said. 

“Recent events also underscore the need for the international community, including regional donors, to shoulder more of the burdens of Jordan’s hosting over a million Syrian refugees and providing security in the region, all of which have placed extraordinary strains on its public finances. That is why the IMF has repeatedly urged the international community to help Jordan with much-needed increased financial support, preferably in the form of grants,” he added.

Rice stressed on the IMF’s commitment to supporting Jordan and its people. 

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with the new government with a view to presenting the second review of Jordan’s economic reform programme to our executive board as soon as possible,” he said.

Over the past few days, thousands of Jordanians took to the streets in protest of the bill, which was rejected by various segments of the society.

The bill, which is part of reforms under a programme brokered with the IMF, focuses on three aspects: improving tax collection, curbing tax evasion and boosting tax revenues, which are expected to increase by JD300 million annually. The proposed law seeks to increase the number of income tax payers from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.

Under the EFF deal with the IMF, the government agreed on six conditions that aim at reducing public debt to safe levels and stimulating the economy.