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AMMAN — A local bank has been robbed at gunpoint in Wihdat neighborhood in the capital on Wednesday morning, Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said. "

No one was injured in the attack and we are currently searching for the suspect," Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

Wednesday robbery is the second to be reported in the capital in the past two days.

On Monday, a local bank was robbed at gunpoint by a sole gunman who managed to reportedly escape with JD98,000 before being arrested by authorities almost 90 minutes later.

AMMAN — Jordan is the 3rd country in the Arab world in renewable energy capacity, according to an infographic on the state of sustainable energy capacities in the region recently issued by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). 

The Kingdom showed the highest photovoltaic capacity in the region, according to the report, which also ranked Jordan first in renewable energy resources per capita when only non-hydropower energies were considered. 

However, the Kingdom´s position changes significantly when hydropower is included, moving down five positions as Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria and Algeria escalate in the ranking. 

Hamzeh Bany Yasin, climate and energy policy programme manager at FES, told The Jordan Times that the country’s progress towards renewable energies was “obvious”, stressing that “in 2016, solar photovoltaic capacity has witnessed an 11-fold increase, and the wind capacity increased by almost 55 per cent.”

“Jordan is considered one of the Middle East’s most promising clean energy markets,” Bany Yasin continued, adding that “in Jordan’s case, renewable energy has the potential to enhance energy security and improve access to affordable energy.”

However, Jordan still lacks natural resources and is dependent on energy imports, according to Richard Probst, MENA eegional coordinator at FES’ Climate and Energy Policy Programme. 

“Jordan and Morocco are both on a good way to achieve their own set of renewable energy targets,” Probst added, noting that “both could still push more for the exploitation of wind and sun in order to become the unchallenged champions of renewable energy in the MENA region.”

The regional picture appeared to be less optimistic, with the total renewable energy generation capacity in the Arab world standing at just over 6 per cent of its total electricity generation capacity, below the 2014 global average of 22.8 per cent. 

Regarding the regional challenges, the report pointed out that “while the cost of generation from renewable sources has been dropping rapidly in recent years, heavily subsidised electricity below the cost of generation remains a challenge to the financial viability of renewable energy across the region.”

In addition, the report pointed out grid interconnections between countries as a “proven way of managing the intermittency of solar and wind renewable energy in the absence of energy storage”.

The infographic is a result of FES’ project “In Pursuit of Sustainable Energy Sources”, which analyses the state of renewable energy in the region, the regional aspirations on the matter, the challenges to face and the possible solutions. 

Research and graphics were provided by the Carboun initiative for sustainable cities in the Middle East, and the data was sourced from the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Bloomberg (Jordan Targets), the World Energy Council, Lazard’s Levelised Cost reports. 

Asked about the reasons behind the project, Probst highlighted the need to “spread awareness among the population about the economic and social potentials of renewable energy in Jordan and the entire MENA region”, stressing that “only with a strong political will Jordan can truly benefit from renewable energy as a homegrown resource.”

AMMAN — The Franco-Jordanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CAFRAJ) on Monday held a ceremony on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of economic ties between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, former prime minister Abdullah Ensour, founder of CAFRAJ, highlighted the chamber's key role in helping attract French companies to invest in Jordan, noting that "such trade projects are implemented due to the Kingdom's political stability and security, and its lucrative investment environment".

French Ambassador to Jordan David Bertolotti praised the deep rooted relations between France and Jordan, pointing out the "great extent" of French investments in the Kingdom. 

He stressed the key role of CAFRAJ in fostering bilateral economic ties over the last 20 years saying "the chamber plays a crucial part in facilitating and increasing the volume of Jordanian exports to France and the EU in general."

“Our goal is to look at the next 20 years and how we can encourage new investments, open new areas in our commercial relationship or work together with Jordan on markets in third countries, for example in Africa," he continued. 

 “Jordan enjoys stability, which is extremely important for investors, and a strategic position in the region. It is also known for the high quality of its infrastructure and the skillfulness of Jordanians," he said.

Executive Director of CAFRAJ Ibrahim Kattan refered to several French companies, including Total, Carrefour and Orange, among others, saying that "those companies provide direct and indirect employment for Jordanians. They not only have full-time employees in stations and shops, but they also create around thousands of indirect jobs in the form of drivers, subcontractors, and so on.”

During the ceremony, which saw the attendance of French and Jordanian industrialists, as well as several Jordanian officials, the founding presidents of the chamber were honoured, as well as the consecutive presidents of the institution, including Ensour, Mohd Jawad Hadid, Munir Nassar, and the late Sami Halabi.

Established in 1998, CAFRAJ aims to develop the commercial, economic, cultural and social cooperation between France and Jordan by promoting the exchange of people, experience, equipment and capital and encouraging investment, according to its website.

It counts 365 members, directors of Jordanian and French companies which represent most economic sectors.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday sent a cable to King Herald V of Norway congratulating him on the anniversary of his accession to the throne, according to a Royal Court statement.

In the cable, King Abdullah sent his best wishes to the Norwegian king and the people of Norway.

AMMAN — The General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) 2017 winter session concluded on Tuesday, with a total of 175,947 students sitting for the session, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The session, which started on January 7, witnessed a "high level" of discipline and commitment by students, and marked a significant drop in the number of violations that stood at 271.

The Education Ministry attributed this decline to the preparedness of students and the measures taken by the ministry and other national institutions.

The national exam was held in 1,581 halls in 522 schools across the Kingdom, where 17,000 teachers worked as exam invigilators, while some 19,000 teachers have been grading the tests in 87 evaluation centres nationwide.

The exams were split into two sessions: the first at 11am and the second at 1:30pm.

The ministry commended the role of media outlets in raising the awareness of students on exam regulations and in cooperating with the ministry in its campaign to publish these guidelines.

The ministry also expressed appreciation for all stakeholders that contributed to rendering the session successful, and wished students success.

AMMAN — Jordan’s new Ambassador to Morocco Hazem Khatib on Tuesday presented his credentials to Moroccan King Mohammad VI in Casablanca, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Khatib conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah’s greetings to King Mohammad, wishing him and the Moroccan people prosperity and success and expressing Jordan’s keenness to host King Mohammad.

For his part, the Moroccan monarch conveyed his greetings to King Abdullah and the Jordanian people, wishing Jordan progress and prosperity. The ceremony was attended by several senior Moroccan officials. 

AMMAN — Head of the Lower House’s health and environment committee Ibrahim Bdour on Tuesday referred a memorandum related to the tax increase on medicines to House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The tax on medicine will increase from 4 per cent to 10 per cent, according to a Cabinet decision published in the Official Gazette on January 16.

In the memo, the committee recommended reconsidering this decision, arguing that it would negatively affect citizens' health. Bdour called on the Lower House speaker to contact Prime Minister Hani Mulki regarding the memo, and to consider taking necessary measures.  

AMMAN — Abed Yaghmour’s father opened his grocery store in downtown Amman’s Prince Mohammad Street, formerly known as Wadi Al Seer Street, during the 1960s, quickly becoming one of the main sought-after groceries for local residents. 

Abed inherited the grocery, aiming to perpetuate the flourishing business. However, the economic environment changed radically, turning the small grocery into just a place where he meets his friends. 

“I have seriously been thinking about closing this store down five years ago, but its affordable rental fees made me continue the business. The grocery business is dying because prices of many commodities are expected to rise soon,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

Abed is one of several grocery owners who voiced their pessimism and concern over the government's decision to raise special tax on a number of commodities.  

The government recently raised the special tax on carbonated drinks from 10 to 20 per cent, and on Octane 95 and 98 gasoline to 30 per cent, while JD0.20 has been added on cigarette packets. Meanwhile, all sales tax exemptions (zero and 4 per cent) have been modified at a unified rate of 10 per cent.

The reduced taxes on essential commodities remained unchanged, including sugar, rice, flour, cooking oil, lamb, beef, chicken, fish, fresh milk, children’s milk, eggs, tea, school stationery, pesticides, fertilisers and veterinary medicines, in addition to equipment used by people with disability for mobility and orthopaedic devices.

Khaled Hammad, a supermarket owner in Jabal Luweibdeh, said people’s spendings will definitely decline following the recent decisions. 

“People are heading to the shopping malls because they provide offers better than groceries. The recent steps will encourage people to get more attached to malls and our business will be negatively affected. After 10 years, these small stores will completely vanish,” he added. 

Asem Abed Albaqi, a longtime resident of Jabal Luweibdeh, said he never turned to these small groceries because shopping centres provide customers with encouraging prices. 

“The recent raise will not affect our spending as we will continue to buy the commodities we are used to purchasing, but our financial situation will suffer a lot,” he added. 

Eyad Mikhamer, a grocery owner in Bayader area, said the government should have coordinated with representatives of foodstuff shops before enforcing such taxes. 

“Around 10 per cent of the groceries closed down and I am sure the rest will close soon. For one year, the business scene has not boomed at all. Spending of people declined and now it will be buried,” he added. 

Sari Alkhalil, a private sector employee, said people will definitely think twice before spending from now on. 

“The problem is that prices are on the rise and people’s salaries do not witness any kind of increase. When the spending scene in Jordan gets slower, investors will be reluctant to invest in the country,” he added. 

Abed said that, although prices might be higher, it will not have a negative impact on shopping malls as they always conduct promotions that attract a great number of people. 

“When someone needs a specific commodity late in the evening, he simply heads to the nearby grocery. This is our only task now,” he said. 

AMMAN — Agricultural products price index went up by 11.8 per cent in the first 11 months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, the Department of Statistics (DoS) announced on Tuesday.

The cumulative index reached 111.8 points in the January-November period of 2017, compared to 100 points the previous year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported, citing a DoS statement.

The increase of the index is attributed to the hike of prices including tomatoes, bell peppers, hot pepper, eggplant, beans, zucchini, cauliflower and potatoes. Meanwhile, the crop price index of cucumber and banana witnessed a decline during the same period, DoS added.

AMMAN — The Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) on Tuesday called on government institutions to submit an e-list containing employees' information in Excel format on a CD or through e-mail, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The lists must include the employees' full names, national numbers, total annual income, allowances and any other financial benefits paid during 2017.

The e-lists are necessary for disbursing cash subsidy to all public sector employees, military, civil, and social security retirees as well as national aid beneficiaries, according to a communiqué by the prime minister. Another communiqué by the Ministry of Finance had earlier reiterated the importance of submitting these lists to ISTD no later than Thursday.