Day: February 6, 2024

Amman: The Higher Steering Committee for Rural Fils approved lists of homes and sites set to benefit from electricity delivery via regular networks. This encompasses approximately 443 homes and sites, with a total cost exceeding JD1.5 million.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, in a press statement, highlighted the committee’s endorsement of various projects and sites slated for electricity provision funded by the rural fils. These encompass residential clusters and economic activities, following expansions in service facilitated by amendments to electricity delivery regulations.

Director of the Directorate of Electricity and Rural Electrification at the Ministry, Hisham Momani, outlined that decisions cover clusters of five houses outside regulatory limits, with a project cost totaling JD675,000, and clusters of three houses outside regulatory boundaries, with a connection cost of JD321,000.

Further decisions included individual homes beyond organizational boundaries benefiting fr
om existing networks (JD 97,000), and homes for poor families within organizational borders in concession areas of electricity distribution companies (JD15,000), aimed at supporting low-income families.

Support extended to rural sectors includes projects for poultry, livestock, and fish farms outside organizational boundaries, totaling JD48,000, fostering farmer support, livestock production, and self-sustainability efforts, he pointed out.

The committee also sanctioned funding for lighting roads leading to cemeteries (JD139,000), easing burial procedures during night hours, he added.

For productive, industrial, and investment projects in impoverished areas beyond organizational boundaries, the rural fils contributed JD60,000, provided these projects generate local employment and support the community.

Focus on rural poverty includes support for farms with artesian wells beyond organizational reach (JD144,000), aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector and enhancing food security.

Moreover, JD64,000 fr
om the rural fils was allocated for electricity delivery to government projects, agricultural cooperative societies, and charitable organizations.

In a move towards alternative energy utilization, the committee approved the installation of grid-connected solar cell systems for 28 homes of needy families and beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund. This initiative aims to reduce monthly energy bills, indirectly increasing their financial income and improving their economic status.

Additionally, the rural fils contributed to installing off-grid solar cell systems for three homes of needy families located outside regulatory boundaries, facilitating access to electricity away from the grid at a cost of JD12,000.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU DHABI: H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, led the inaugural 2024 meeting of the UAE Anti-Narcotic Council.

In the presence of Sheikh Saif, government representatives, and concerned partners, the council endorsed the activation of national strategic plan (2024-2026), covering 51 performance indicators to evaluate outcomes.

These initiatives, driven by national committees under the council, aim to step up the country’s efforts across ministries and federal and local bodies comprehensively. The council also embraced the Charter of national integration in the fight against drugs, aligning with the UAE government’s integrative institutional doctrine. Further, discussions delved into the anti-drug incentive system, emphasising its role in fostering innovation and competitiveness for safer societies.

Present at the meeting were Major General Hamdan Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Commander of the National Guard; Mohammed Salim Al-Olama, Undersecretary of th
e Ministry of Health and Prevention; Aisha Mohamed Ahmed Belharfia, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation Affairs; Sheikha Khuloud Saqr Al-Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Control Sector at the Ministry of Education; Nasser Ismail Murad, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development; Brigadier Said Abdullah Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Federal Narcotics Control; Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, Brigadier General Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Deputy Director General of the Federal Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior; Engineer Sulaiman Salem Al Kaabi, Executive Director at the Emirates Foundation for School Education; Dr. Nasser Al Khatri from the Cybersecurity Council of the UAE government; Ahmed Saeed Al Qamzi, Assistant Governor of the UAE Central Bank for Banking Supervision and Insurance; Matar Humaid Al Neyadi, Supreme Council for National Security; Noha Mohammed Al Har
moudi, Director of the National Fund for Social Responsibility; Judge Ahmed Saeed Al Naqbi from the Ministry of Justice; Sultan Ibrahim Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi; Major Hamid Abdul Rahman Al Shehhi; and Major Mohammed Sultan Al Shamsi from the Ministry of Interior.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: Minister of Transport, Wissam Tahtamouni, said the government is working to strengthen position of shipping route agents to meet requirements that make Aqaba port an “attractive” destination.

In an interview with “Petra” on Tuesday, Tahtamouni noted the information received from global shipping routes affirm “continued” maritime shipping globally, adding that these “strategic” alternatives are the task of international couriers.

Regarding Jordan’s import alternatives as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, and amid developments currently taking place in Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, she affirmed the various land, air, sea and multimodal shipping alternatives have “not stopped” with beginning of the crisis, adding that the problem lies in “international imbalances and their impact on cost and time.”

The minister also highlighted Jordanian government’s role in mitigating the crisis effects and supporting international shipping routes and the private sector in providing “available” logistical alte
rnatives.

This bid is achieved by supporting Jordan’s internal logistics sector by facilitating customs procedures and setting a financial ceiling for shipping fees to calculate customs tariffs and provide “appropriate” storage yards, the minister pointed out.

The minister added that global lines’ coordination with ports and feeder ship companies help achieve this goal.

In this context, she referred to shipping agencies’ coordination with feeder firms, which was requested by Jordan’s private sector, adding that all stakeholders agreed to streamline procedures for ship entry and unloading at Aqaba main port.

Regarding Arab Bridge Maritime Company, she announced new cooperation agreements with Iraq and Egypt in maritime transport will be inked.

The minister said this company, which is owned by the governments of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, will provide maritime transport service in a “multimodal” mode to facilitate shipping operations to these countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency

DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, today inaugurated the 28th edition of the annual UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai 2024) at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The three-day conference brings together leading international names in the fields of dentistry and oral health.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor was accompanied by Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority; Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, PAM Roving Ambassador for the GCC Region, Executive Chairman for AEEDC Dubai and the Global Scientific Dental Alliance – GSDA; Dr. Howard Lieb, Associate Clinical Professor, International Project Coordinator, and Special Assistant to the Dean at the School of Dentistry at New York University; and Dr. Gregory Chadwick, President of the World Federation of Dentistry FDI; besides esteemed heads of delegations, associations, scientific and academic organisations among other notable figures
representing 155 countries.

Sheikh Mansoor highlighted the importance of such conferences and exhibitions in fostering the exchange of knowledge and expertise and expanding partnerships aimed at serving people and offering innovative solutions to enhance their quality of life. He also underscored Dubai’s pivotal role as an international hub for organising and hosting major events, including sector-specific conferences and exhibitions with broad global appeal, particularly those relating the healthcare sector.

Sheikh Mansoor and his accompanying delegation toured the exhibition, engaging with a host of international companies and health authorities while also exploring 12 country pavilions representing Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, Turkiye, South Korea, China, Spain, Italy, Russia, France, and the USA. He shared insights with industry professionals and was apprised of pioneering solutions and projects aimed at bolstering the dental and oral healthcare sectors, including advancements in diagnostic and
treatment services. With an anticipated attendance of over 66,000 participants from 155 countries, AEEDC Dubai 2024 reinforces its status as the preeminent annual scientific dental conference and exhibition globally.

Dr. AlMadani said, ‘With the continuous economic growth in the UAE, which has made it one of the most competitive and diversified economies in the region and the world, through AEEDC Dubai, we strive to promote the health sector, specifically oral and dental health. AEEDC Dubai plays a pivotal role in driving development in the country and the region and contributes to the revitalisation of local sectors such as conferences, exhibitions, events, tourism, retail, hotel, and leisure sectors due to the large number of participants in AEEDC Dubai coming from abroad who find this global forum an ideal opportunity to develop scientific skills, acquire knowledge, and make lucrative deals, as well as to enjoy the beauty of Dubai and many activities and events.’

AEEDC Dubai 2024 features over 5,328 bran
ds from 3,924 companies in the oral and dental health industry, with 88% of them being of international repute. The conference also includes specialised talks by 155 expert speakers, besides training courses, workshops, scientific posters, and student competitions showcasing research and case studies.

Dr. Tariq Khoory, Honorary Chairman of AEEDC Dubai, and Consultant at DHA, said, ‘Today we celebrated 28 years of achievement at AEEDC Dubai; the event that has revolutionised the global dental industry landscape helps to meet the demands of community by promoting economic growth and the advancement of health care. Furthermore, we provide a worldwide forum for the advancement of medical education and training, enhancing the effectiveness of our nationals and international medical professionals while raising the standard of services rendered. The medical industry’s contribution to boosting economic growth and raising societal standards of living can be strengthened through these collaborative efforts.’

Germany
is the guest of honour at AEEDC Dubai 2024. The country has had a longstanding position within AEEDC Dubai as a major contributor to innovative technology and enhanced treatment methods. The number of attendees from Germany has also dramatically increased over the years, with 107 companies now participating annually and occupying approximately 3,000 square metres of exhibit space at AEEDC Dubai.

Germany’s dental industry is known for high-quality products, with its turnover increasing by more than 28% to over pound 6.2 billion. Export markets have contributed significantly to this jump with a total of pound 4.1 billion and are expected to rise steadily over the next year as well.

AEEDC Dubai, organised by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Org. LLC, is supported by various dental and health organisations, including the DHA, the Scientific Global Dental Alliance, and the Gulf Health Council, among others.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: The West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Institute of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), in collaboration with the Swedish Development Partner (IM Sweden), concluded a five-year project aimed at advocating for the comprehensive participation of vulnerable women and persons with disabilities in social and economic life in Karak governorate.

The “Towards Inclusive Participation of Vulnerable Women and People with Disabilities in Social and Economic Life” project focused on shedding light on the issues faced by vulnerable groups in society. This was achieved through the authoring of policy papers addressing social and economic concerns, with the intention of forming a cadre of young individuals, both men and women, who actively support the rights and issues affecting vulnerable groups within their local communities.

Participants underwent extensive training over the course of a year, receiving instruction from specialists on various aspects of scientific research, participatory procedural research, critic
al thinking development, analysis, communication, issue identification, and data collection and analysis.

Under the guidance of the WANA Institute, participants worked on drafting three policy papers addressing critical topics such as psychological and social support services for individuals with disabilities and their families, employment opportunities for those with hearing and visual impairments, environmental accessibility for individuals with mobility and visual impairments, and the role of women in bolstering tourism in Karak.

The project’s closing ceremony was attended by representatives from sectors pivotal in supporting the research and interactive programs undertaken by the WANA Institute in Karak. Among the attendees were representatives from the Greater Karak Municipality and directors from various government departments in Karak.

Source: Jordan News Agency

SHARJAH: The poetry of two Emirati poets, Salih bin Aziz Al Mansouri and Naima bin Thalith, was highlighted during a literary seminar named “Pioneers Creativity,” which was hosted at the Cultural Palace as part of the 18th Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival.

Aida bin Masoud moderated the seminar, and speakers included Jamal Al Shaqsi and Dr. Mansour Al Shamsi.

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, honoured pioneering Nabati poets at the festival. He presented certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields to Salih bin Aziz Al Mansouri and Naima bin Thalith.

Following the critical talks by the speakers, Al Shaqsi and Al Shamsi, a selection of poems by the poets was read, followed by a discussion on the seminar’s topic.

Source: Emirates News Agency