Day: June 5, 2023

Hybrid vehicle clearance at the Zarqa Free Zone saw a surge of 119.4 percent in the first five months of the year, compared to the same period of 2022, according to the latest figures. Jihad Abu Nasser, representative of the automobile sector at the Jordan Free Zone Investor Commission said on Monday that a total of 6,581 cars were cleared in the January-May period, compared to 3,002 in the same period of 2022. Similarly, electric vehicle clearance saw an increase of 105.3 percent, as 10,803 EVs hit the streets, compared to 5,265 in 2022. However, Nasser added that the clearance of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles declined by 13 percent and 27.7 percent, respectively. There was a slight uptick of 10.9 percent in the re-exports of vehicles during the same timeframe, thanks to the new investment environment law’s tax exemptions granted to free zones, added Nasser.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Hundreds of Jewish extremist settlers on Monday broke into the Islamic shrines in Kifl Haris town, north of the West Bank city of Salfit. Osama Saleh, mayor of the town, said in a statement that the settlers stormed the area and performed their provocative Talmudic rituals under the protection of the Israeli army, noting that the occupation forces intensified their military measures during the raids. Also today, the Israeli troops launched a wide-scale campaign of raids, incursions, and arrests in various parts of the occupied West Bank, during which 22 Palestinians were detained, while dozens others were injured by the settlers’ attacks northwest of Nablus.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Aqaba Cruise Terminal on Monday welcomed the tourist vessel “MEIN SCHIFF 5”, originating from the port of Muscat in Oman. On board were 2,428 tourists from various European nationalities, accompanied by a crew of 921 individuals. Peter Marji, the Director of Tourism at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), stated that the authority had meticulously arranged all the necessary requirements and logistical services to ensure a seamless reception for the tourists, facilitating their transportation to the region’s historical, archaeological, and tourist attractions within Jordan’s Golden Triangle. Marji further emphasized that the influx of numerous cruise ships during the winter tourist season underscores Aqaba’s prominence as a gateway to the Red Sea and a distinguished tourist destination of renowned tourism companies organizing cruise expeditions. Aqaba’s reputation is built on its diverse and captivating range of tourism offerings. Since the beginning of 2023, a total of 58 tourist vessels have docked at Aqaba’s ports, welcoming and accommodating over 40,000 tourists seeking to explore the remarkable attractions of the region.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Head of the Lower House Jordanian-Syrian Brotherhood Committee, MP Khaled Abu Hassan, said Syria’s readmission to the Arab League is a step in the right direction for its “pivotal and strategic” role in the region. During the committee’s meeting with Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Amman, Issam Niyal, on Monday, Abu Hassan stressed importance of strengthening joint parliamentary cooperation and discussing multiple issues of common concern. Abu Hassan also noted that Syria’s readmission into the bloc would have a “remarkable” impact on strengthening its unity, stability and territorial integrity. Amman and Damascus share common “brotherly” relations, he said, calling on developing ties and orchestrating efforts to overcome any obstacles or challenges that impede their development, especially with regard to combating terrorism and drug smuggling, which became a “major” threat to security and community peace. For his part, Niyal lauded Jordan’s “great” role exerted to readmit Syria to the Arab League, and its supportive stances to Damascus, stressing importance of intensifying parliamentary visits to Syria. Niyal also stressed need to strengthen and develop prospects for joint parliamentary coordination to serve common interests and Arab issues.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF ) General Command opened the door for Bahraini women to volunteer in the reserve force.

Applicants wishing to volunteer are required to register on the BDF website using the link https://www.bdf.bh, using the e-application format.

Eligible applicants are required to be Bahrain nationals, aged (18) to (55) years old, with exceptions from the upper age limit for technicians and specialists, or according to duty requirements.

Applicants wishing to volunteer are also required to have good conduct and a judicial record which shows that they have not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving breach of honor or trust.

They should also be medically fit for military service in the reserve force, and successfully pass the prescribed medical examination according to the BDF system of military medical committees.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Backdated pensions have been disbursed immediately to (195) beneficiaries who have been accepted in the Khatwa Home Projects Programme after fulfilling eligibility requirements, said the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO).

In a statement today, it announced that it has taken the necessary measures to complete the applications of Khatwa programme members who are eligible for retirement pensions

The move is in line with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to include 236 eligible retirement pension applications.

SIO pointed out that work is underway to process the remaining 41 applications.

Short text messages have been set to the applicants to complete pending payment procedures for the pensions to be disbursed as soon as possible.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Kingdom of Bahrain has today attended a meeting of senior officials in the ministries of foreign affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Head of the GCC Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Eid participated in the meeting, which was held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The delegations stressed the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation in various fields to achieve security and stability in the region and support its development and prosperity.

They also discussed a number of areas included in the draft joint action plan for cooperation between the GCC countries and the Arab Republic of Egypt, in addition to reviewing a number of issues on the agenda of the meeting, including regional topics.

Source: Bahrain News Agency