Day: May 10, 2023

The Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) participated in the Annual Investment Forum 2023 held in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement on Wednesday. The association’s Director General Tariq Hijazi participated in a special session on promoting and highlighting investment opportunities in Jordan, chaired by the Minister of Investment Kholoud Saqqaf and in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Hijazi gave a presentation on the role of the association in attracting investment and promoting the investment environment in the Kingdom, and its commitment, since its establishment in 1985, to creating a hub for Jordanian businessmen and working as an investment arm that provides an appropriate business environment for the private sector, and enhancing the prospects for partnership between the public and private sectors in various areas. He pointed out that the association represents, through its members, about 12 economic sectors, and is linked through 28 business councils with similar economic activities in various Arab and foreign countries, adding that it links the Jordanian business community with its counterparts in various countries, in addition to providing an opportunity to establish investment partnerships and introducing the most important investment opportunities available in the Kingdom. He indicated that the Jordanian economy is diverse with the service sector contributing about 70.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, the industrial sector by about 25.4 percent, and the agricultural sector by 3.8 percent, stressing the top-notch services provided in the fields of tourism, communications and financial services. Hijazi underscored the importance of the role of the Arab Businessmen Union, which was established in 1997 as one of the institutions of joint Arab action, in strengthening relations and interdependence between the Arab business communities and various countries, thereby promoting Arab economic integration. Highlighting the Jordanian investment environment’s advantages, Hijazi pointed out that Jordan is a safe destination for investment, has monetary stability, a skilled workforce, a strategic location and a number of free and development zones, which offer customs and tax exemptions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has thwarted two attempts to smuggle some 106 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, hidden in two consignments that entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Al-Batha and Al-Haditha ports.

In the first attempt, ZATCA found 83.2 kilogrammes of methamphetamine in a vehicle that entered the Kingdom through the Al-Batha port after undergoing customs procedures, upon security examination. The methamphetamine was hidden in pieces of marble stone.

In the second attempt, ZATCA found 23.8 kilogrammes of methamphetamine in a truck that entered the Kingdom through Al-Haditha port, hidden in the truck’s spare tire.

ZATCA said that after coordinating with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, two people who were supposed to receive the shipment were arrested.

ZATCA confirmed that it will continue to tighten customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports to ensure the security and protection of the society from criminal activities, in cooperation and constant coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.

ZATCA urges all citizens to contribute to combating smuggling, to protect society and the national economy, by reaching out to the designated number for security reports (1910), or via (e-mail: 1910@zatca.gov.sa) or the international number (00966114208417). Through these channels, ZATCA receives reports related to smuggling and violations of the provisions of the unified customs system in complete confidentiality, with a financial reward given to the informer if the tip proves true.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour, called for action by the international community to stop the Israeli occupation authorities’ war crimes against the Palestinian people, hold the perpetrators accountable, implement laws aimed at protecting civilians and ensure peace and security, as well as putting an end to this illegal situation.

Mansour sent three identical letters to the UN Secretary-General, this month’s President of the Security Council (Switzerland) and the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in regard to the Israeli occupation’s renewed military attack on the besieged Gaza Strip, without restraint and reprimand.

Mansour noted that the Israeli entity continued to carry out repeated military attacks and incursions into Gaza, resulting in the martyrdom and wounding of Palestinian civilians, the destruction of civilian property and infrastructure, and the terrorization of the civilian population in its entirety, in full view of the international community and the Security Council, and without any consequences, despite the Charter’s mandate to maintain international peace and security.

A series of extrajudicial killings occurred in the West Bank by the occupation forces, Mansour said, adding that the airstrikes carried out on several locations throughout Gaza yesterday, resulted in the death of 15 Palestinian citizens, and the wounding of 20 – many of whom are in critical condition. Mansour indicated that the Israeli occupation had planned this aggression to deliberately target and execute Palestinians, and underestimate the law, pointing to the killing of many families.

Mansour condemned this deadly aggression against Palestinians, calling for immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable of their grave crimes and violations of human rights and international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including east of Occupied Jerusalem, stressing the duty of the Security Council, Secretary-General and the international community to take an action.

He stressed that it is time to put an end to Israel’s impunity, continuous murder, destruction, colonization and annexation, underlining the clarity and comprehensiveness of international law, and the necessity to uphold it in all circumstances and situations, as Palestine cannot be an exception.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Settlers renewed their storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday, with heavy security from the Israeli occupation police.

Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported that dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mughrabi Gate and carried out provocative tours in the eastern side of it.

The occupation police continued to impose restrictions on the entry of Palestinians from Occupied Jerusalem and the occupied interior of the blessed mosque, checking their personal identities, and obstructing their entry to it.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to a series of violations and incursions by settlers on an almost daily basis, under the protection of the occupation police, in an attempt to impose full control over the mosque and divide it temporally and spatially.

Source: Qatar News Agency