Emirates Press

ZARQA: Yousef Abdullah Al Harmoudi, Deputy Commander of the Emirati Relief Team at Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp in Jordan, affirmed the Emirates Red Crescent’s (ERC) commitment to social solidarity, as per the teachings of Islam.

He made this statement during an ERC operation, carried out in collaboration with 12 humanitarian organisations to distribute iftar meals to underprivileged families in areas including Al Azraq, Al Rusaifa, Al Zarqa, and Al Mafraq, benefiting 3,000 people.

Volunteer teams are continuing to offer iftar meals daily at specific locations in Amman and Al Zarqa.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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

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

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

Amman: The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) reported a decline in sovereign and political, economic, financial, and operational risk ratings across several Arab nations over the past year.

This decline, based on 30 indicators from 15 leading global credit rating and risk assessment agencies, reflects heightened political events, intensified aggression in Gaza, and ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, and other Arab states. Additionally, decreased oil production and revenues, coupled with rising living costs and debt crises, contributed to the downturn in growth rates.

Abdullah Subaih, Director-General of Dhaman, emphasized the organization’s ongoing monitoring of sovereign evaluation and risk indicators, crucial for determining multinational companies’ and financial institutions’ interest in Arab countries.

He noted both stability and improvement in sovereign ratings for certain Arab nations, such as Qatar, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, contrasted by declines in Morocc
o, Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon. Gulf Cooperation Council countries, followed by Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt, ranked highest in risk assessments across various categories.

Economic risks, including economic contraction, inflation, and public debt, topped the list of expected threats to Arab nations over the next two years, as per the World Economic Forum.

Subaih stressed the importance of regional efforts to enhance political, security, economic, and financial stability, considering external factors like oil prices, trade movements, and international conflicts, including the Ukrainian-Russian war and the American-Chinese conflict.

Despite some reservations about international classifications, Subaih underscored their significance in improving Arab countries’ investment and business environments.

Dhaman stands prepared to provide detailed reports on each Arab nation’s status and collaborate with research teams to enhance regional classifications.

Established in 1974, Dhaman operates as a multilateral instit
ution headquartered in Kuwait, offering insurance services against credit and political risks to facilitate foreign direct investment and support Arab exports and imports.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh met on Sunday with Palestinian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Muhammad Mustafa.

During the meeting, Khasawneh reiterated Jordan’s steadfast stance, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, in supporting legitimate Palestinian rights. He emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression against Gaza and the transition to a political process ensuring the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two-state solution.

Khasawneh also emphasized King Abdullah II’s significant role under the Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and maintaining the historical and legal status quo until a just and comprehensive solution is reached.

The Prime Minister briefed his Palestinian counterpart on efforts led by King Abdullah II to halt the Israeli aggression on Gaza, ensure the delivery of huma
nitarian aid, and advance a political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He stressed the importance of preserving the territorial integrity between the West Bank and Gaza as a fundamental basis for Palestinian statehood.

Khasawneh reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, reflecting the historical, geographical, and fraternal ties. He highlighted Jordan’s continuous efforts to aid Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including humanitarian assistance and diplomatic initiatives led by King Abdullah II.

The Prime Minister expressed Jordan’s commitment to bolstering bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and infrastructure projects like the electrical interconnection. He proposed convening a joint Jordanian-Palestinian committee to further enhance cooperation across various sectors.

Mustafa expressed appreciation for King Abdullah II’s support and reiterated the importance of strengthening bilateral relations. He emphasized the urgent nee
d to halt Israeli aggression and provide sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Source: Jordan News Agency