Business Club

Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort recently announced its nomination in the 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards, which is regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry, offering international recognition as voted by guests, travellers and industry players alike.

In the 2019 awards edition, Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort is nominated in the category: Luxury New Resort, whereby awards are given based on votes by guests, travellers and industry players with over 300,000 international travellers voting each year by the end of July 31st.  Jean-Francois Durand, general manager of Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort said: “We are humbled to receive the nominations, as it resembles a reaffirmation on our positioning as a destination for luxury tourism, while embodiying our commitment in offering unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort is Jordan’s first Hyatt Regency hotel and second Hyatt-branded property, joining Grand Hyatt Amman. Located conveniently in the Marina Village in Ayla, situated between the vibrant city centre of Aqaba and the international borders, connecting guests to everything they need in one setting. 

The Digital Mashreq Forum, which concluded on Monday, provided participants with the chance to exchange expertise and offer evidence-based recommendations for transforming the Levant into a new digital hub.

The forum, an initiative organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship in cooperation with the World Bank and the Jordanian Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF), was attended b representatives of more than 40 startups from Jordan and the Levant.

The two-day event tackled the role of digitisation in shaping the future of the region from the perspective of government and business leaders, in addition to broaching strategic steps toward enhancing digital economies in the Levant.

During the forum, the acting general manager of ISSF, Laith Al Qasem, highlighted the role of the fund in cultivating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and encouraging relevant public and private entities to provide adequate financing for emerging and existing startups, in addition to facilitating the establishment of additional venture capital funds targeting local startups.

Employees of Citibank, N.A Jordan recently celebrated the annual Global Community Day, under the theme “Good Health and Well-Being”, the third of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Citibank, N.A. Jordan has partnered with the Queen Rania Family and Child Centre, part of the Jordan River Foundation’s Child and Safety Programme.

The volunteers spent the day with around 100 children, aged 8 to 10 years old, doing several activities which focused on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise.

“The Global Community Day continues to be an important tradition for Citi because it gives all of us the opportunity to give back to members of the communities where we live and work,” said Nour Jarrar, Citibank, and N.A Jordan’s Chief Executive Officer on the occasion.

Royal Jordanian (RJ) is running a new, global super saver sales promo, with sales effective between July 1 and 15, under a new theme:"LESS GO".

Economy Class travel to any of RJ’s route destinations using this attractive offer has to take place between September 10 and March 20 with a maximum stay of 45, except for the blackout period in Christmas and New Year.

Passengers coming from different RJ destinations to Amman or via Amman, are offered similar attractive ticket fares, which vary by destination.

Interested travellers can book across all RJ sales channels, including through its official website and mobile app, its global sales offices and travel agents, and the call centre (+962 5100000).

In yet another achievement, Ayla received three awards during the closing ceremony of the Arabia Property Awards, held on June 12 in London.

The awards include the five-star award in the Leisure Development category for its Beach Club-B10, the five-star Hotel Construction and Design award for the Hyatt Regency Aqaba, and the five-star Residential Development award for its Beach Apartments. Ayla received these accolades after a rigorous appraisal by a panel of 80 real estate experts from around the world.

The assessment was based on a variety of criteria, including design, quality control, service availability, innovation and commitment to sustainability.

Ayla has also been nominated within the same categories (Leisure Development, Hotel Construction and Design, and Residential Development) on a regional level throughout the Middle East, the winners of which will be announced in London on December 2. “We are tremendously proud to receive these prestigious accolades during the 2019 Arabia Property Awards,” Ayla’s managing director, Sahl Dudin said on the occasion. 

AMMAN — Ayla Oasis Development Company has recently signed an agreement with Safwa Islamic Bank to provide competitive financing options to those looking to purchase golf residential or island apartment units at Ayla Oasis Development.

The agreement is the first with an Islamic bank, and provides an Islamic financing option for those wishing to purchase real estate at Ayla, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The agreement was signed by Ayla Oasis Development Company Managing Director Engineer Sahl Dudin and Safwa Islamic Bank Managing Director Samer Tamimi, and aims to provide appropriate financing options to all Ayla’s potential residents as part of the development company’s efforts diversify facilities and financing options, the statement read. 

“Safwa Islamic Bank consistently works to provide its clients with modern and cutting-edge offerings, a vision that is in line with that of Ayla,” Tamimi said at the signing ceremony.

“Through this partnership, we will work to facilitate the ownership of apartments in the development, providing prospective owners with residential and entertainment experiences within the provisions and controls of Islamic Sharia.” Ayla, one of the largest multiuse urban development projects in the Kingdom, provides waterfront residential units, in addition to a series of entertainment locations, restaurants, retail outlets and an 18-hole championship golf course, the statement said.

AMMAN — A subsidiary company of BCI Group has recently signed an memorandum of understanding with Palestine Monetary Authority to develop the ICT sector and services in Palestine, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority Azzam Shawwa and BCI Group for Communication and Advanced Technology Chairman Said Baransi.According to the agreement, BCI will use the Palestine Monetary Authority’s Credit Registry System to provide the authority with credit history and other demographic information about borrowers and their guarantors. 

“As per our plan to facilitate technology based services, we worked on this partnership to create a data base with a ranking system to provide individuals and companies with advanced financial services”, Baransi said in the statement.  Shawwa added: “We thrive to ensure economic stability and monitor it in order to enhance growth in Palestine.

And now, companies will be able to enhance and protect their investment abilities through the credit registry system.” According to the statement, the memorandum abides with banking confidentiality principles, where businesses will identify customers’ credit solvency when selling on credit where customers use postdated checks and take the right decision that saves them from engaging in credit risks.

Coupled with the rich aroma of Lebanese cuisine and unique ambience, Fairmont Amman’s General Manager Fadeel Wehbe hosted guests and VIPs to a night of authenticity and luxury dining experience at its signature Lebanese restaurant “Nur” in an event that was attended by Lebanese Ambassador to Jordan Tracy Chamoun.

Situated in the heart of Amman, with an ambiance of grandeur and sophistication, Nur Restaurant allows its guests to embark on a Lebanese gastronomical journey with a modern twist.

The journey continues by succulent flavours made to perfection from fresh locally grown produce, and specially imported fresh gourmet ingredients from Lebanon, setting an abundant table of mezze, a variety of grilled BBQ, Lebanese dishes and delectable desserts.

Nur Restaurant, features Mediterranean décor & architecture, characterised with a mesmerising mounted dome allowing for natural light to fill the room. 

The Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS) celebrated its 35th graduation on Friday, June 14, with its annual ceremony at the school arena.

On behalf of HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan, chair of the board of trustees, HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan presented the graduates with their certificates and delivered an address, which served to inspire students in their future studies, careers and lives.

Emphasising the importance of Arab values and of celebrating their culture in an ever-changing and challenging world, Princess Sumaya encouraged the high-school graduates to embark with joy on a life’s journey that has been made possible by the deeds and achievements of their predecessors.

HRH asked the students to be true to themselves and to remember the nurturing environment of the ABS and of Jordan, a nation to be proud of. 

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal Credit Insurance Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation (JLGC) to explore, develop and strengthen the trade relations between the Kingdom of Jordan and the UAE.

This partnership seeks to enable the two nations to enhance trade and business activities through the exchange of information and exploring business practices and conducting training programmes in areas of shared interest.

It will also allow UAE-based businesses to expand internationally by providing them with ECI’s comprehensive portfolio of financial solutions along with its expertise in commercial underwriting, risk management, country assessment, claims and recovery, and JLGC’s tailored surety schemes, namely loan guarantee and export and domestic credit guarantee.