Jordan, Norway Stress Urgent Ceasefire and Aid Delivery for Gaza

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, received Sunday a phone call from his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide.

During the call, Safadi and Eide emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the unimpeded delivery of aid throughout Gaza.

Safadi and Eide discussed ongoing efforts to end the catastrophe in Gaza and reiterated their commitment to working together to achieve an immediate cessation of the war and facilitate aid distribution.

Safadi highlighted Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, particularly in the northern region, and called for the opening of all crossings to allow aid entry.

He also underscored the importance of enabling the United Nations to manage aid operations and ensuring the safety of relief workers.

Emphasizing the irreplaceable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in addressing the humanitarian crisis, Safadi stressed the need for continued support for the a
gency.

Safadi expressed gratitude to Norway for its advocacy for an end to the war, its contributions to humanitarian aid, and its support for establishing a Palestinian state in line with the two-state solution.

The ministers reaffirmed the significance of the Jordanian-Norwegian partnership and pledged to further enhance cooperation across various sectors.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Israeli Forces Arrest 25 Palestinians in West Bank

Ramallah: Israeli occupation forces conducted an operation on Sunday, sweeping through multiple areas of the West Bank in a widespread raid and arrest campaign targeting 25 Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, those detained were subsequently transferred to occupation security services for questioning under the pretext of alleged involvement in armed resistance against Israeli occupation forces and settlers.

The raids were particularly concentrated in various governorates of the West Bank, with a focus on refugee camps. Reports indicate that the occupation forces stormed numerous homes, conducting thorough searches and causing significant disruption. Residents were detained for questioning, enduring hours of interrogation as part of field investigations.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Trial operation of Amman-Zarqa BRT to kick off this month

Amman: -Minister of Public Works and Housing, Maher Abu Samen, Minister of Transport, Wissam Tahatmouni, and Mayor of Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, on Sunday discussed procedures for embarking on trial operation of the Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project.

During the meeting, Abu Samen stressed the government’s interest in operating the BRT project as soon as possible due to its importance economically and socially, its role in developing the Kingdom’s public transportation system, and its impact in reducing traffic congestion in Amman.

Abu Samen also announced the project’s trial operation will be conducted before the end of this month.

Additionally, he noted that the ministry’s staff continued operations round the clock to ensure completion of the project’s basic routes by the end of last year.

Abu Samen also noted passenger stations are now complete and ready to receive users when it is operational.

For his part, Shawarbeh confirmed the GAM’s readiness to begin the tri
al operation of the project, as it worked to prepare 48 buses to operate on the Amman-Zarqa routes.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordan-Qatar trade reaches $60 million in 1Q of 2024

Doha: he trade balance between Jordan and Qatar in the first quarter of the current year reached about 220 million Qatari riyals ($60.4 million).

According to the Qatari Planning and Statistics Authority website, recent statistics released on Sunday indicated that Jordan-Qatar trade recorded a growth rate of 3.18 percent during the first three months of 2024, up from 213 million Qatari riyals ($58.5 million) during the corresponding period of 2023.

Jordan exports to Qatar fresh and processed foodstuffs, vegetables, fruits, various types of meat, dates, cheeses, fresh dairy products, poultry and its derivatives, grains, sweets and various types of cakes, rice, juices, nuts, oils, and various types of ghee, pickles, herbs, honey, frozen poultry, eggs, and Jordanian coffee.

Qatari exports to the Jordanian market include various chemicals such as car oils, sulfonic acid, lutein, aluminum molds, paraffin, polyethylene, iron bars, various types and uses of chemical fertilizers, plastic bags, car engine oils, org
anic fertilizers, and medical solutions.

According to official figures, the Qatari market consumes more than 1000 tons of vegetables and fruits daily, while the volume of local agricultural production is about 100,000 tons annually, with a self-sufficiency rate of about 40 percent. However, these consumption rates double during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Many Qatari traders expect Qatar’s imports of Jordanian products and goods to continue to rise in the coming period, confirming that the Qatari market is witnessing growing demand for purchasing fresh foodstuffs, especially vegetables and fruits, due to their high competitiveness and acceptable prices compared to all other imported varieties from foreign markets and some regional markets.

The trade balance between the two countries has exceeded QR 11.5 billion ($3.17 billion) over the past ten years, according to official statistics released by the Qatari Planning and Statistics Authority.

During the years from 2012 to 2017, Qatar’s exports to Jordan a
mounted to about QR 5.35 billion compared to QR 2.44 billion imports, with a trade surplus of QR 2.91 billion in favor of Qatar.

During the years from 2018 until the end of 2021, the trade surplus shifted in favor of Jordan by one billion Qatari riyals, with Qatar’s exports during those years reaching around 1.2 billion Qatari riyals compared to 2.2 billion imports.

According to that data, the value of goods re-exported from Qatar to Jordan during the past ten years reached approximately QR 623 million ($171.1 million).

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordan’s Foreign Trade Surges in January: Exports Rise, Deficit Shrinks

Amman: Jordan’s foreign trade index for January of the current year has shown promising signs, with notable improvements observed in the country’s total exports, imports, and trade balance.

According to an analysis by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), the Kingdom’s total exports in January reached JD650 million, marking a 2.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Conversely, imports experienced a significant decline of 19.7 percent during the same time-frame, resulting in a notable 33.7 percent reduction in the Kingdom’s trade deficit.

The surge in exports was attributed to growth in sectors such as fertilizers, garments, and pharmaceutical preparations, which collectively contributed to the increase in the value of national exports to JD593 million for the month.

Conversely, the decrease in imports was primarily driven by a decline in the value of crude oil and its derivatives, machinery, and electrical tools, which collectively amounted to JD1.318 billion.

These positive indicators under
score the resilience of Jordan’s economy amidst various challenges, including recent regional conflicts and global economic uncertainties.

The Department of Statistics reported a ten-percentage-point increase in the ratio of total exports to imports coverage, reaching 49 percent in January of this year compared to 39 percent for the same month in the previous year, signaling a continued improvement in the Kingdom’s trade balance.

The decrease in Jordan’s trade deficit for January reflects the concerted efforts led by the government, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, aimed at enhancing trade performance and bolstering the country’s economic competitiveness, thereby fostering confidence in foreign investments and supporting economic growth.

Former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Abu Hammour emphasized the significance of these positive developments and stressed the importance of further analysis to sustain these trends. He highlighted the need for continued efforts to enhance renewable ener
gy sources and promote locally produced goods to maintain consumer confidence.

Regarding exports, Abu Hammour underscored the critical role they play in the national economy, emphasizing the importance of fostering partnerships between public and private sectors to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and reduce production costs.

He also emphasized the importance of providing preferential treatment for investment opportunities that contribute to expanding export capabilities and opening new markets.

Jordan’s banking sector offers suitable financing alternatives for export purposes, while promotion programs and exhibitions serve to identify export opportunities in various markets.

In conclusion, the positive growth recorded in Jordan’s foreign trade for January reflects the country’s ability to adapt to economic challenges and its commitment to sustainable economic development.

Source: Jordan News Agency

UN Security Council to Convene Meeting Monday on Full Membership for Palestine

New York: The United Nations Security Council has scheduled a meeting for Monday to discuss the admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN under the agenda item “Admission of New Members.”

Palestine has submitted a letter to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General regarding this matter, receiving support from the Arab Group, the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Currently holding the status of an “observer state,” Palestine is seeking to elevate its position within the United Nations. As an observer member, Palestine does not possess voting rights on resolutions passed by the General Assembly and is ineligible to compete for non-permanent membership in the Security Council.

Source: Jordan News Agency