GAM exempts BRT-affected businesses from licence fees

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) board has exempted owners of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-affected businesses and professional offices from paying all fees related to professional licences for 2020 and 2019, according to a GAM statement made available to The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

Businesses and offices affected by GAM’s BRT project are granted exemptions, provided that all overdue professional licence fees accumulated over past years are paid, the statement added.

According to the GAM decision, which would be submitted to the prime minister for approval, owners of licensed shops that have been affected by the BRT project would be refunded.

The decision came during a virtual session held on Tuesday chaired by Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, the statement added.

Noting that the board also approved the amendment of Article 9 of media and publicity system within the city of Amman, by decreasing billboards fees between 30 and 50 per cent, in addition to modifying the fee calculation mechanism when issuing billboard licences for the first time.

The mechanism for calculating fines incurred for the delay in renewing billboard licences was also modified, according to GAM.

The board also approved to collect a one-time fee for billboards on buildings, in addition to approving a number of home-based professions in response to requests by certain ministries and institutions.

The newly added professions include tourism and travel agencies, guest houses and nurseries, GAM said, noting that home-based professions are exempted from paying professional licence fees for a period of three years, in accordance with a Cabinet decision.

The board also approved GAM’s signing of agreements with official partner authorities, to ensure interconnection, exchange information, data and documents related to the services provided by GAM, including the issuance of professional and construction licences and work permits, the statement added.

GAM will continue to be a member of the Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Cities, according to the statement.

The board also approved the purchase of 50 per cent of the Central Electricity Generating Co’s shares in the Biogas Company to become wholly owned by GAM.