Daily News Roundup
May 4th, 2010
News Roundups
Members News
Zain during a tour to Petra and Ma'an governorates assures its corporation in the development of local communities. http://www.alrai.com/pages.php?news_id=333264
Tawfiq Ghargour & Fils training center receives "Certified Trainers" certificate from Mercedes Benz. http://www.alghad.com/?news=502574
Capital Bank sponsors National Industry Forum for Local Buyers. http://www.alghad.com/?news=502581
MIU News
Public Works and Housing Minister Mohammad Obeidat inaugurates the "Project Near East" international construction exhibition underlined the importance of the construction sector and the need to utilize modern technology in the building industry. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26243
Amman Stock Exchange: The share price index closed at 2,551 points, a drop of 0.58%. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26230
Industry and Trade Minister Amer Hadidi stated that the government will issue legislation on companies, financial straits and credit-related data in the near future to provide incentives to the industrial sector. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26244
Business reporters from various media outlets gathered to take part in a workshop on reporting about corporate governance in Jordan organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation and inaugurated by Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Nabil Sharif. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26244
Speaking at the Power Quality and Harmonics Conference, held by the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) National Committee, experts and officials warned that substandard power quality may have far-reaching consequences for the country. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26235
Agriculture Minister Saeed Masri met with Romania’s Ambassador to Jordan Radu Onofrei and discussed the possibility of establishing a Jordanian-Romanian company to import wheat, barley and corn from Romania to the Kingdom. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26237
Minister of Labor Ibrahim Omoush called on Jordanians to replace guest workers in the agricultural sector, noting that reducing unemployment requires partnership between the government and all concerned sectors. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=26237
The Jordanian government will approve a milestone trade agreement with an Estonian firm in a bid to tap the Kingdom's vast oil shale reserves in the southern region. http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=7703
The Institute of Management Consultants and Trainers (IMC – Jordan) announced the initiation of the technical preparations to host the annual conference of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) slated next September. http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=7696
A Korean businessman is planning to launch a $25 million noodles factory that would turn Jordan into a regional hub for the production and distribution of the foodstuff in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=7689
U.S. News
More than 80% of U.S. school districts are expected to eliminate jobs and more than half will likely freeze hiring during the upcoming school year, an education organization said. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/04/news/economy/education_job_cuts/index.htm
Personal spending rose for the sixth month in a row during March, while income also increased, according to government data released. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/03/news/economy/personal_income_spending/index.htm
The dollar gained more ground against the euro, the first day after the $146 billion Greek bailout was announced and the dollar's strong run may not be over yet. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/03/markets/thebuzz/index.htm
The manufacturing sector grew for the ninth consecutive month in April, and at its fastest rate since June 2004. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/03/news/economy/ISM_manufacturing/index.htm
The disastrous oil spill off the coast of Louisiana isn't expected to affect U.S. gasoline prices in the short term, but it could produce a longer-term hit if offshore oil drilling is curbed or made more expensive with new regulations and safety measures. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2010-05-04-gulfoil04_ST_N.htm
The stock market jumped after improved economic reports and a deal to combine United and Continental Airlines raised expectations about a recovery. http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/2010-05-03-marketsmonday_N.htm
Prosecutors say Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle claims of improperly handling and dumping hazardous waste at stores across California. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2010-05-03-walmart-california-dumping-settlement_N.htm
Most banks are seeing weaker demand for loans from both consumers and businesses, one of the forces restraining the vigor of the economic recovery. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2010-05-03-bank-loan-demand_N.htm
Goldman Sachs faces a vexing dilemma, legal experts say, as the Justice Department conducts a criminal investigation into whether the financial services giant duped buyers of its securities. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2010-05-02-goldman-sachs_N.htm
Petra Development and Tourism Authority
A request for proposal (RFP) seeks a qualified firm or consortium to provide a 20-year Strategic master Plan for developing the Petra region. It should be based on a study that covers the entire geographic jurisdiction, focusing on the main urban areas within the Petra region. It is expected that the Strategic Master Plan will be presented in 3 phases: 1-3 years as short-term; 3-7 years as medium-term; 7-20 years as long-term.
The offer shall provide the necessary human and material resources required to prepare the Strategic master Plan and its components parts, as defined in the (RFP).
The full (RFP) can be obtained free of charge from www.petrapark.com/documents or from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority.
A Clarification meeting and site visit will be held on Sunday, 9th May 2010.
A detailed proposal should be delivered no later than 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday 1st June, 2010 to the Petra Development and Tourism Authority.
Wadi Musa. Tel: +962 3 2157093
