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Jordan revealed a US-backed strategy aimed at growing investment in its Red Sea coastal city of Aqaba on Wednesday, with an emphasis on environmental protection, as the country battles the economic effects of the war in Gaza.
The kingdom is one of the top three recipients of US aid and has a defence pact with Washington. Consecutive US administrations have pledged support for Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel, to maintain its stability in the region.
Richard Chen, an official at the US Agency for International Development in Amman, said that Washington played a significant role in developing the strategy as part of its support for further economic reforms in Jordan.
“Aqaba is Jordan's gateway to markets and to the global economy,” he said at the launch of the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, held at Ayla, one of the main property developments in the city.
The Jordanian economy has been stagnant for more than a decade.
The International Monetary Fund expects it to grow by 2.4 per cent this year, compared to 2.6 per cent in 2023. The fund attributed the economic slowdown towards the end of last year to the war in Gaza, which began on October 7.
The war has decreased tourism to Jordan and has hindered business appetite in the region.
The proposals seek to position Aqaba as a destination for tourism and investment. Previous plans have been announced but officials said the one revealed on Wednesday is different because it prioritises protecting the environment.
Aqaba's marine life has been harmed by large amounts of fishing, as well as damage from shipping or oil spills. The strategy aims to end the degradation of the coral reef on its 27km shoreline.
Nayef Al Fayez, head of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, said that the city's exports would suffer if environmental protection laws are not put in place.
If environmental protection laws are not applied “no one will be able to export anything from Aqaba”, Mr Al Fayez said.
About 300 projects aimed at attracting tourism, trade, and improving public services are set to be announced.
They will remain separate from the mega projects the government hopes to build in Aqaba's water and energy sectors with grants and financial guarantees from western donors.
Officials did not provide exact figures for the size of the projects or how much investment they are expected to generate.
In 2001, following instructions from Jordan's King Abdullah II, the government turned part of Aqaba into a special zone with lower taxes than the rest of the country.
Foreign investment fell sharply from a $3.6 billion peak in 2006 to $1.1 billion in 2022 – the last year of available UN data.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Meghan%20podcast
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
