Jordan’s exports to countries within the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) surged by 12.4 percent in the preceding year, positioning the Kingdom atop the roster of trading allies and economic blocs in terms of domestic exports.

Data unveiled by the Department of Statistics and disseminated by the Jordan News Agency (Petra) underscored a notable uptick in the value of national exports to GAFTA countries, with figures soaring to JD3.078 billion, marking a significant rise from the JD2.738 billion recorded in 2022.

Conversely, the value of imports into Jordan from the GAFTA countries experienced a decline of 18.5 percent over the same period, tallying at JD4.711 billion compared to JD5.778 billion in the previous year.

Statistical analysis revealed a reduction in Jordan’s trade deficit with GAFTA countries, shrinking to approximately JD1.633 billion in the previous year from JD3.040 billion in 2022.

The total trade volume between Jordan and GAFTA countries amounted to approximately JD7.789 billion in the
previous year, down from JD8.516 billion in 2022.

Jordanian exports to the GAFTA countries encompass a diverse array of products including fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, fresh and refrigerated fruits and vegetables, skincare products, paints, food preparations, chocolates, furniture, fabrics, textiles, and insecticides.

In contrast, imports into Jordan predominantly consist of crude oil and derivatives, jewelry, dates, wheat, fish, plastic sheets and plates, titanium dioxide, polyethylene, polystyrene, iron and its products, furniture, fruit trees, as well as cheeses, honey, and grains.

The Greater Arab Free Trade Area, established in January 2005, represents a pivotal economic alliance fostering integration and facilitating low-tariff trade among its 18 member Arab countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The UN reaffirmed its commitment to support the Libyan people in promoting a rights-based reconciliation process that is inclusive, transparent, and grounded in the principles of transitional justice.

This came during a remark by UNSMIL Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator, Georgette Gagnon, at a conference in Tripoli yesterday dedicated to fostering an inclusive, rights-based, and victim-centered transitional justice and reconciliation process in Libya.

She emphasized that a key objective of the forum was to facilitate greater outreach, awareness, and support between the Presidential Council, which is leading the national reconciliation process, and victims of human rights violations, for whom justice and reparations have remained elusive.

“Victims and their families must be at the center of all efforts towards reconciliation. Their calls for justice and accountability and their right to the truth must be honored. Reconciliation cannot be achieved
without justice, and justice cannot prevail without the truth, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition.’ Gagnon added.

During the first day of the conference, participants discussed the proposed draft law on reconciliation elaborated by the Presidential Council’s Legal Committee, including articles related to enhancing the safe, informed, and meaningful participation of victims in future transitional justice mechanisms, as well as steps leading to the upcoming national reconciliation conference planned for April in Libya.

The conference is expected to conclude on February 27 with a set of recommendations aimed at advancing the reconciliation process with a focus on accountability, international best practices regarding amnesties, and the active involvement of victims throughout the process. These recommendations will feed into the strategy for reconciliation developed by the Presidential Council.

Source: Libyan News Agency

The Women’s Cultural Authority in Al-Shahil District, Hajjah Governorate, organized a stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Participants in the protest condemned the heinous crimes and genocidal massacres committed by the Zionist enemy against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Source: Yemen News Agency