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AMMAN — Jordan and Bulgaria on Thursday signed a cooperation agreement in the field of education, science and culture for 2018-2020.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and Bulgarian Ambassador in Amman Venelin Lazarov, a Planning Ministry statement said.

Fakhoury said that the programme comes as part of Jordan’s endeavours to enhance bilateral relations with Bulgaria in fields of common interest, given that it comprises various executive measures in education, higher education, arts, media culture, museums and archaeology. 

Fakhoury noted that the programme stems from the agreement of scientific and cultural cooperation signed between the two countries on April 7, 1974, which resulted in the signing of several executive programmes for scientific and cultural cooperation over the past years. This programme is the 12th of its kind since 1974, according to the statement.

The minister said that these programmes mostly included the exchange of scholarships between the two countries, the visits of experts and educational delegations, participation in conferences, seminars and training courses, the exchange of artistic and folkloric troupes and the establishment of exhibitions and cultural festivals in both countries. 

The talks between the minister and the ambassador also covered investment and supporting Jordan to better benefit from simplifed rules of origin for Jordanian exports in the EU, and considering Jordan as gateway for investment in the region.

For his part, Lazarov expressed his delight over signing of the agreement, describing it as “an important step in enhancing bilateral cooperation”.

He stressed the Bulgarian government’s keenness on boosting cooperation with the Jordanian government in various fields.

AMMAN —  Dozens on Thursday gathered outside Parliament to call for dissolving the Lower House, urging the government to reverse its decisions to increase taxes on foodstuff and bread. 

Protesters said that the government decision to increase bread price was the main trigger of their sit-in. 

The new bread prices went into effect as of February 1, with the prices set JD0.40 for one kilogramme of small pita bread, JD0.32 for large pita bread and JD0.35 for Arabic bread (Mashrouh).

With this measure the government said it will save JD50 million in subsidies that used to amount to around JD120 million annually, of which only JD45 million was directed to Jordanians as more than a third of the population who benefited from the subsidy system are non-Jordanians. 

Yaser Manaseer, a participant, called for dissolving Parliament. “We wanted to express our support to the underprivileged citizens as these taxes add more burden on people,” he said. 

For Zeyad Jibril, another protester, the Parliament did not meet the expectations of the people and had “let them down”.

“The government’s policies make people hungry. We call on His Majesty to cancel all these taxes, including on bread.  More than half of the people live under the poverty line and the rise of these prices will result in crimes, increase the percentage of corruption and many other problems,” he said. 

Tariq Abaadi, another participant, said that although he understands that the decision related to bread has some impact, he noted that the government delivers cash support for people. “The members of Parliament never opposed these decisions [tax hikes],” he told The Jordan Times.  

DEAD SEA — The Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan on Thursday launched the “Jordan Agenda Conference 2018” three-day event at the Dead Sea under the theme “Policies for Self-Reliance”. 

The first session focused on domestic politics, inviting pundits from different fields to discuss the country’s current political situation. 

Former MP Abla Abu Elbeh, who is the secretary general of the Hashed Party, said that one cannot discuss domestic politics without factoring in foreign decisions that impact the country internally. 

“America’s decision on Jerusalem, the refugee crisis and the situation in Syria and Iraq each play a part in affecting policies domestically,” Elbeh said in her introductory speech. 

Various analyses were brought forward by experts on international decisions related to Jordan, while some members called for more self-reliance.

“Why are we always relying on foreign powers to fix our problems?” asked one member. 

“For Jordan to achieve self-reliance, local communities need to come together and act together,” said Secretary General of the National Congress Party [ZamZam] Erheel Gharaibeh. 

Musa Maaytah, minister of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Parties in the previous years had great difficulty in unifying — even for one law — and this needs to change.”

The panel then focused on political engagement, elections, youth involvement and unemployment.

“As a young person, how can I choose a party that will benefit me?” asked panelist Mohammad Zawahra, a political activist advocating for youth in Jordan.

“There are lots groups and committees gathered specifically for youth but, when you look closely, you’ll see it’s only done for the show, and, ultimately, nothing is implemented,” Zawahra added.

He urged for more youth to be educated at an early stage about the political procedures in Jordan, and for political parties to attract and involve youth from different geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

The subject of reforms and expectations from the government was discussed extensively throughout the session, although the speakers acknowledged that simply outlining the problems without providing tangible solutions is “not enough”.

MP Jamil Al Nimri listed some of the steps required in order to achieve reform. 

“We need to apply decentralisation, among the governorate councils and the executive councils, we need to change the financing of the parties and start linking public funds to each party’s performance. We need to make changes in our election law and encourage more parties to participate in the elections,” Nimri told The Jordan Times at the event. 

He stressed that these recommendations will have a better chance of becoming realised if a “civil monitoring group” is put into place to oversee the budget and the implementation of government plans towards change. 

DEAD SEA — Increasing business productivity, transparency and integrity were a few of the solutions discussed on Thursday at the session “Financial crisis: Reality and Expectations” at the Jordan Agenda Conference 2018, organised by the Centre for Strategic Studies of the University of Jordan. 

Panellists acknowledged certain realities of the Kingdom’s current economic problem, such as its limited natural resources, the critical unrest surrounding its borders and the refugee crisis but commended Jordan for where it stands today. 

“Despite our budget deficit, we have been able to achieve great developments in our infrastructure, and the health and education sector,” said Jordan’s Central Bank Governor Ziad Fariz. 

“In comparison to other countries in the region, our sales taxes are relatively low and the tax on income is less than 3 per cent,” he added. 

However, both panellists and audience members agreed that more can be done in order to achieve a more favourable economic situation. 

Basem Salfiti, an economist and a board member at Bank Al Etihad, suggested lowering the cost of doing business for increased revenue.

“Cost of doing business, and cost of exporting is very high in Jordan. A study by Cambridge University has concluded that if only we reduce transaction costs by 0.1 per cent, revenue will go up by 4 per cent,” explained Salfiti. 

Additionally, he raised the issue of tax evasion, a popular topic at the discussion. 

“When 70 per cent of your business transactions are in cash, how can you tell where the money is going?” adding that “auditing in Jordan is not regulated and we need more transparency”.

The economist, an MBA graduate from Columbia University, argued that the current stresses on solely increasing revenue must change, but rather businesses should focus on operational productivity, transparency and integrity. 

“The economy’s best practice is productivity, which leads to real economic growth,” insisted Salfiti.

AMMAN — Jordanian winner of MBC 4’s Arabs Got Talent 2017 Emanne Beasha on March 2 will perform at a philanthropic gala in Las Vegas, along with Grammy nominated singer songwriter Jewel, a joint MBC-One Night statement said.

Nine-year-old Beasha will take part in the sixth annual “One Night for One Drop” event, imagined by Cirque du Soleil and aimed at collecting funds to benefit safe water access programmes around the world, the statement said. 

The show will start off with a performance by Beasha and Jewel, which was specifically composed by Jean-Francois Blais, One Night for One Drop’s resident composer, according to the statement, which added that the performance will feature a “signature” Cirque du Soleil opening. 

“Emanne’s talent is an exceptional addition to our show and we are thrilled to have her contribute to such an amazing cause,” Jerry Nadal, senior vice president at Cirque du Soleil was quoted in the statement as saying. “It is encouraging and exciting to have a variety of celebrity guests from all over the world perform alongside of the talented artists of Cirque du Soleil, and for Emanne to travel all the way from Dubai is a true testament to her passion and dedication,” Nadal added.

Currently living in Dubai, Emanne is a Jordanian-American signer who, at the age of 8, won the title for MBC’s 5th Arabs Got Talent in 2017, making her the youngest winner in the history of any talent show across the Middle East, the statement read. 

Ali Jaber, MBC Group TV director, said in the statement: “We are very proud of Emanne and all of her achievements post the show. We were thrilled to learn that our superstar rocketed to the top in less than a year of winning the Arabs Got Talent title to perform in Las Vegas with one of the world’s top entertainment organisations, Cirque du Soleil.” 

“This only proves that Arab talent transcends borders if nourished and mentored properly, as it has a universal language and understanding. MBC Group truly believes in this kind of support and encouragement,” he continued. 

One Drop is an international foundation created in 2007 by Cirque du Soleil’s founder Guy Laliberté. It aims to provide access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene as a transformative force to improve the living conditions of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, the statement concluded. 

AMMAN — Jordan has cut diplomatic ties with North Korea “in line with the policies of its allies”, a government source said on Thursday. The decision comes months after similar moves by Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, who are also key regional allies of the US. In November, the US called on all countries to cut off trade and diplomatic ties with North Korea after it carried out a series of weapons test, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that brought the US mainland into range.

The government source acknowledged that relations between Pyongyang and Amman were “never very strong” but said ties were cut “in line with the policies of Jordan’s allies”. The decision was ratified by a Royal Decree, according to the government’s website.

AMMAN — Deputising for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, Chief of Operations and Training Maj. Gen. Musleh Maaytah on Thursday attended an event held by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army on the occasion of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

JAF Mufti Brig.Gen Majed Darawsheh stressed the brotherly relations between followers of all faiths, adding that Christians have a special place in Islam. The Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre Founder and Executive Director Father Nabil Haddad said that co-existence, harmony and moderation existing in Jordan acquiring it an international pioneering role in interfaith dialogue.

AMMAN — Awqaf Minister and Chairman of Hajj Fund Council Wael Arabiyat on Thursday announced that the fund has completed all the legal measures to buy a new commercial complex in Amman at a total cost of JD4.7 million, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The purchase of the property falls within the fund’s endeavour to increase its investments across the country, the minister said, expecting the new investment to generate more than 8 per cent of revenues to the fund. Arabiyat added that fund’s savings by the end of 2017 reached JD80 million in addition to JD 20 million from Hajj insurances.

AMMAN — Jordan’s Ambassador to Kenya Suleiman Arabiyat on Thursday met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya Justin Muturi in Nairobi, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, they discussed prospects of activating parliamentary relations between the two countries, forming interparliamentary friendships, and exchanging parliamentary visits to boost cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments.

Means to enhance bilateral cooperation in international parliamentary gatherings was also discussed during the meeting.  

AMMAN — The Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI) on Thursday called on drafting and amending laws related to patient rights based on the “national charter for patient rights”, according to a SIGI statement.

In 2016, 374,000 patients were admitted to public hospitals and 88,000 surgeries were conducted, while 325,000 patients were admitted and 88,000 surgeries were performed at private hospitals, SIGI said citing health ministry statistics.

Considering these “high numbers” of patients, SIGI stressed that the law is necessary for “granting patients the rights to receive medical treatment that consider their dignity and humanity and respect their confidentiality and privacy”.