MPs pass planning, international cooperation law

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday passed the planning and International cooperation draft law. The draft law aims to bolster the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation’s role as a central reference point between all ministries, departments, official and public institutions, and external financing sources.

It also aims to establish the ministry as the entity responsible for formulating strategies for preparing development visions, plans, and executive programs, in addition to regulating the mechanism for obtaining funding provided by donor parties and international entities to non-profit associations and companies, as well as cooperative associations and unions, , according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Lawmakers also passed an amendment to the Amman Municipality Law. MPs, by a majority vote during a legislative session held on March 17, decided to refer the draft law to the Joint Legal and Administrative Lower House Committee after a preliminary reading.

Article 6 of the amendment states that it is not permissible to seize movable and immovable assets belonging to the municipality when a final judgment is issued against it.  A certified copy of the final judgment shall be submitted to the president, who shall order its implementation."

The Lower House also passed a draft law to cancel the Law of Ratification of the Surface “Oil Shale” Distillation Agreement between the government and the Karak International Oil Company (KIO). This decision was made due to KIO’s non-compliance with the agreement signed with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Petra reported.

The Lower House Tourism Committee passed an amendment to the Tourism Law. The law aims to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector and improve the business environment to increase investment flows by replacing the licensing requirement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities with approval issued by the ministry to practice tourist professions and activities.