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AMMAN — The Kingdom is scheduled to host the “Jordan International Energy Summit and Exhibition” (JIES) on May 19 and 20 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The conference is expected to attract around 500 senior executives working in the sector, the statement said.

The Energy Ministry said all section heads will be available during the conference to meet with domestic and international companies.

Firms will also have the opportunity to exhibit their products and services directly to the targeted audience, according to the statement.

AMMAN — The Public Security Department (PSD) said on Tuesday that the road leading to Sweileh’s Kamaliyeh Bridge on the way to Salt will be closed at 10pm on Thursday until next Tuesday.

The road leading to Sweileh will be closed at 10pm next Tuesday until April 4 for maintenance, according to the PSD.

Detours will be available during the maintenance period.

AMMAN — Industry, Trade and Supply Ministry personnel have confiscated 17.5 tonnes of subsidised flour illegally packaged and sold as “zero flour” at the retail price, according to a ministry statement.

Ministry Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi said the person involved in the fraud was referred to the relevant authorities for the required legal procedures.

The statement quoted Barmawi as saying that the ministry is investigating the sources that provided the man with the subsidised flour.

He said the ministry issued 55 fines against bakeries during the past two months for violating the law, urging the public to call 06-5661176 to report violations by merchants.

AMMAN — Labour Ministry Secretary General Hamadah Abu Nijmeh and Mohammad Al Obeidi, undersecretary at Libya’s ministry of labour, on Tuesday discussed ways to boost cooperation.

The two sides examined the possibility of expertise exchange in recruitment strategies, inspection campaigns, e-services and efforts to encourage women to join the labour market.

The two officials agreed to arrange for a visit by Libya’s labour minister to Jordan.

AMMAN — The period of fine exemptions on overdue taxes ends on March 31, the Income and Sales Tax Department said Tuesday.

Department Spokesperson Musa Tarawneh said the exemptions will go down to 75 per cent during the next three months, 50 per cent between July and September and 25 per cent between October to the end of December.

AMMAN — Planning Minister Imad Fakhoury on Tuesday received Sima Bahous, UN assistant secretary general, assistant administrator and director of the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States.

Discussions addressed the Kingdom’s relations with the UN and ongoing preparations for the Kuwait III donor country conference, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Fakhoury said Jordan will launch an appeal to the international community to call for more support amidst the Syrian refugee crisis.

Bahous said the UN, through its various agencies, will continue supporting Jordan.

Also on Tuesday, the Planning Ministry said Fakhoury met with German Ambassador to Jordan Ralph Tarraf and discussed bilateral ties and development cooperation.

Fakhoury expressed his appreciation to Germany, one of the Kingdom’s main development partners and key donors, particularly in the water sector, according to the statement.

They also discussed preparations for Kuwait III, slated for later this month.

AMMAN — Border guards received 102 Syrian refugees during the past 48 hours, an army source said Tuesday.

The border guards offered humanitarian assistance to the new arrivals and Royal Medical Services cadres provided medical care to the injured.

AMMAN – Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Tuesday met president and members of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and discussed means to develop the trade sector’s role in serving the national economy.

 ACC President Issa Murad announced plans to establish an institute specialised in training and employing Jordanians in cooperation with the public sector, under which around 1,000 people will receive training this year.

Talks also covered challenges facing the sector, with Ensour underlining the government’s commitment to addressing difficulties facing all economic sectors.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben on Tuesday received Director of the US National Security Agency Admiral Michael S. Rogers.

During a meeting, attended by HRH Prince Feisal, the two sides discussed ways to boost military cooperation.

Also on Tuesday, Zaben met with Michael Vickers, US undersecretary of defence for intelligence, and an accompanying delegation.

At the meeting, also attended by Prince Feisal, discussions covered ways to boost coordination.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday sent a cable of condolences to Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam over the death of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew,  who is recognised as the founding father of modern Singapore.