Jordan Times
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Lower House refers several laws to concerned committees
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN - The Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday referred several pieces of
legislation to concerned committees for deliberation and recommendation,
including draft amendments to the laws on patents and trademarks which were
given urgent status by the government.
Other draft legislation and amendments referred to committees include laws on
public debt, military pensions, the nurses association, the Army Martyrs Fund,
culture, charity organisations, protection against family violence, the
International Islamic University and economic development zones.
The amendments to the laws on patents and trademarks are in line with the
Kingdom’s Free Trade Agreement with the US, according to a letter attached by
the government to the amendment.
Economists hope the agreement will help Jordan’s economy shift from a state of
dependence on foreign aid to one of self-reliance and prosper through increasing
customs-free exports, attracting foreign investments and facilitating the
transfer of technology.
The amendment to the Army Martyrs Fund Law was introduced in a bid to help
families of martyrs cope with the increased cost of living. The bill immediatly
raises financial assistance from JD500 to JD2,000.
The culture bill will allow the government to open cultural sections in Jordan’s
embassies in Arab countries and beyond as the Kingdom seeks to enhance cultural
cooperation with these countries, according to a letter attached to the draft
amendment.
Yesterday, the Lower House postponed the election of its 14 committees until
Sunday’s session.
MPs hope a consensus will be reached on most of the committees to avoid a
prolonged process of elections.
Last year, deputies spent more than a quarter of the ordinary session debating
the voting processes on some of the committees.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi will present his government’s policy
statement on Monday, a day earlier than originally planned.