Latest news with #Jordan
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development participates in the inauguration of Jordan Digital Health Center
Amman, Jordan – In the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), represented by His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General, participated in the official inauguration of the Jordan Digital Health Center, a pioneering virtual hospital initiative. This initiative is part of the UAE's broader grant, managed by ADFD, to enhance development projects aligned with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2025, with a total funding of AED 1.5 billion. These projects further contribute to Jordan's National Council for Future Technology agenda and reinforce the UAE's ongoing commitment to driving strategic development partnerships in the region. The Jordan Digital Health Center aims to connect healthcare centres and create an integrated electronic medical records management system through a unified digital platform, to enhance Jordan's healthcare sector in delivering remote care services aligned with international standards. Executed through the support of UAE-based company 'Presight', a leader in advanced technology and AI-driven digital solutions, in collaboration with Jordan's Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, this centre marks a strategic milestone in enhancing Jordan's digital health infrastructure. During the ceremony, His Royal Highness Prince Al Hussein extended his appreciation to the UAE's leadership, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. He emphasized that this initiative underscores the enduring strategic ties between the two nations and their commitment to advancing sustainable development and economic integration across key sectors. He also praised ADFD's key role in supporting transformative development initiatives, as the Jordan Digital Health Center serves as a model of cross-border institutional collaboration. The project directly aligns with Jordan's vision to build a digital healthcare ecosystem capable of meeting the evolving needs of citizens efficiently and aligned with global health standards. H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, reaffirmed that this project reflects the vision of the UAE's wise leadership to support sustainable development across key sectors in partner nations and emphasizes the Fund's strategic partnership with Jordan, which dates back to 1974. Al Suwaidi added: ' The establishment of the Jordan Digital Health Center marks a significant step forward in healthcare modernization. Through the implementation of advanced digital solutions and AI-powered platforms, the center enhances the accessibility, responsiveness, and efficiency of healthcare services, while reinforcing the foundations of a resilient, patient-centric healthcare model.' Over the past five decades, ADFD has supported strategic development projects in Jordan with a total value exceeding AED 6.5 billion. These projects span key sectors including energy, transportation, water, food security, healthcare, and education, significantly contributing to Jordan's social and economic advancement and long-term development agenda.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Health
- Zawya
Jordan: Crown Prince inaugurates Jordan Digital Health Centre in Salt
AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday inaugurated the Jordan Digital Health Centre in Salt, which was established as part of the National Council for Future Technology's efforts to raise the level of medical services provided to citizens. The Crown Prince toured the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development-funded centre, which includes digital units for dialysis, radiology, intensive care and telemedicine services, and seeks to save time and effort for patients, and improve access to specialised care for rare medical specialities, according to a Royal Court statement. His Royal Highness listened to a briefing by Health Minister Firas Al Hawari about the remote medical services provided by the centre, whereby patients can communicate through voice or video calls with doctors following diagnosis to receive medical consultations. The minister said the centre has been connected to five major public hospitals and three healthcare centres as part of the first phase, adding that the second phase will expand to connect other public hospitals and healthcare centres. According to Hawari, the centre is responsible for monitoring the capacity of public hospitals and pharmaceutical warehouses to ensure optimal distribution of patients to hospitals to alleviate overcrowding and reduce waste of medical supplies and medicines, the statement said. The Crown Prince attended a meeting held at the centre for the National Council for Future Technology's digital committee on the health sector, during which His Royal Highness was briefed on the council's future plans and strategies to raise the level of health services. The Crown Prince also visited Salt Comprehensive Healthcare Centre, which was recently rehabilitated, to check on the services provided, including the introduction and standardisation of electronic payment services.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Oil bill falls 1.9% in 5 months
AMMAN — The Department of Statistics' (DoS) foreign trade data showed a decline in Jordan's imports of crude oil and its derivatives during the first five months of this year by 1.9 percent. The value of the Kingdom's imports of crude oil and its derivatives until the end of May this year amounted to JD1.121 billion, compared with JD1.143 billion for the same period last year, according to the statistical data monitored on Tuesday by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. This indicates a decrease of JD22 million. The decline in the Kingdom's oil bill at the end of May this year contributed to limiting the direct increase in the value of the Kingdom's imports, as oil still ranks first in the list of imports of the Kingdom. Fuel and mineral oils accounted for the largest share of the Kingdom's list of oil derivatives imports until the end of last May, with a value of JD414 million, followed by crude oil "Petrol" by JD333 million. While the imports of oil spirits "gasoline" amounted to about JD161 million, diesel "Solar" by about JD193 million, in addition to lubricants with a value of JD16 million and kerosene with about JD4 million, Petra reported. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Issawi inspects Royal initiative projects in Madaba
AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Youssef Issawi on Tuesday conducted a field visit to inspect several Royal Initiative projects in Madaba. Implemented under Royal directives, the projects aim to improve public services, empower local communities and promote sustainable development across the Kingdom, according to a Royal Court statement. In Madaba city, Issawi, who is also head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, reviewed progress on the rehabilitation of the official football pitch adjacent to Madaba Secondary School for Boys, where he was briefed on the implementation stages that are nearing completion and proceeding according to the approved timeline. His Majesty King Abdullah had instructed the comprehensive maintenance of the school and rehabilitation of the nearby pitch during a visit to Madaba on 22 April last year. Renovations to the school building were completed ahead of the start of the 2024–2025 academic year, the statement read. In Al Faisaliyeh District, Issawi followed up on progress in the construction of a medical apparel and supplies factory, part of the Productive Branches Initiative. The factory is being developed in partnership with Medical Solutions Company under an agreement signed at the Royal Court between the company and the Ministry of Labour. Issawi toured the 2,500-square-metre facility, which has completed its construction and equipment phase. Residents have been trained to work at the factory, which is expected to create 150 job opportunities in its first year of operation. The factory will produce a wide range of medical consumables, including surgical gowns, head covers, medical gloves, sheets, and bed covers, all designed for sterile medical environments. It would also operate specialised machines to manufacture sterile medical towels, offering an alternative to traditional cotton varieties. As the first of its kind in Jordan, the facility houses 15 production lines and around 150 sewing machines, with a production capacity sufficient to meet local demand and support exports. Speaking to the press, Issawi said these projects reflect His Majesty's vision of launching developmental, service-oriented, and productive projects that enhance service quality and generate employment opportunities for local communities, contributing to sustainable development across all governorates. He stressed that the implementation of Royal Initiatives comes directly at His Majesty's instruction, in response to citizens' needs raised during the King's frequent visits and meetings with community representatives, both in the field and at the Royal Court.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Despite regional challenges, Jordan's economy stable, growth on track — CBJ governor
AMMAN — Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Governor Adel Sharkas said that Jordan's economy continues to grow steadily despite regional instability, supported by a clear Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV). During a forum organised on Monday by the Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) titled "Reform, Stability, Resilience," Sharkas said that the economy recorded 2.7 per cent growth in both quarter 4 of 2024 and quarter 1 of 2025, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The CBJ expects 2025 growth to remain at 2.7 per cent, rising above 4 per cent by 2028 with the implementation of 'major' infrastructure projects and continued fiscal reform, Sharkas noted. He stressed that Jordan's 'strong' fundamentals are solid monetary framework, stable investment climate, healthy banking sector and credible exchange rate. These factors boosted investor confidence, reflected in the strong performance of Jordan's Eurobonds, which are trading below issuance yields, he added. The CBJ governor added that during 2021–2024, the economy grew at an average of 2.9 per cent, recording the highest since 2010, driven by gains in productivity, human capital and non-traditional exports. This growth contributes now in 20.9 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP), up from 16.2 per cent in 2016, Sharkas added. He noted that investment contributed 40 per cent to growth during this period, while external demand contributed 38 per cent. Sharkas attributed this momentum to structural reforms, with around 100 reforms since 2012, enhancing governance, competitiveness and job creation. Jordan's energy bill dropped to 7 per cent of the GDP in 2024, down from 21 per cent in 2012, thanks to energy diversification and long-term gas deals, he noted, adding that tourism revenue reached $3.7 billion in the first half of 2025 and is projected to hit $7.7 billion by year-end. Sharkas said that the foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $1.6 billion in 2024, while remittances are expected to rise to $3.7 billion, while inflation reached 2 per cent in the January-June period of 2025. Foreign reserves hit $22 billion, which is enough to cover 8.4 months of imports. Bank deposits reached JD47.7 billion in May, while dollarisation declined to 18.1 per cent, the CBJ governor said, pointing out that financial inclusion rose to 43.1 per cent in 2022, with gender gap narrowing from 53 per cent to 22 per cent. He added that digital payment activity surged to 538 million transactions worth JD55.3 billion in 2024, and credit facilities rose by over JD7 billion since 2020, reaching JD35.3 billion by May. The CBJ completed 90 of 94 initiatives under the 2023–2025 economic vision. The remaining are on track, Sharkas said. Public finance reforms are also advancing, with the primary deficit expected to drop to 2 per cent of GDP in 2025, aiming to a surplus by 2027. Public debt is projected to fall below 80 per cent of the GDP by 2028, the CBJ governor said. JSF Chairman Faris Sharaf stressed the need to balance monetary stability with flexible economic policies. JSF Executive Director Nasreen Barakat highlighted the forum's role in fostering evidence-based policy dialogue. JSF board member Nadia Saeed emphasised CBJ's regulatory role in supporting sustainable development. The event also addressed virtual asset regulations, SME support, economic literacy, and Jordan's resilience to external shocks. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
