Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Wednesday issued Defence Order No. 29 pertaining to supporting hardest hit sectors, particularly the tourism sector.

Following are excerpts from the text of Defence Order No. 29:

Defence Order No. 29 of 2021, issued in accordance with the provisions of Defence Law No. 13 of 1992.

"As part of the government role to shore up sectors hit hardest by the pandemic, particularly the tourism sector, and to help the sector secure cash liquidity and mitigate the damage to ensure the field’s recovery, I decide to issue the following Defence Order:

First: All travel and tourism offices are allowed to recover bank guarantees deposited in accordance with the provisions of the Jordanian Travel and Tourism Offices and Companies Bylaw No. 114 of 2016.

It shall also be permissible for Hajj and umrah offices to recover bank guarantees they deposited in accordance with the Hajj and Umrah Affairs Bylaw No. 21 of 2017.

The same shall apply to all bank guarantees provided in accordance with the provisions of the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Law No. 24 of 1973.

Second: For travel and tourism offices, including those that provide Hajj and umrah services, application for recovering the guarantees shall be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, while tourist agencies restricted to Hajj and umrah services shall apply to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Third,

1. Agencies wishing to recover guarantees in accordance with the provisions of Article 27 of the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Law No. 24 of 1973 are required to submit a JD50,000 judicial guarantee in the name of the Minister of Interior in addition to his position until December 31, 2021.

2. Agencies that already provided a judicial guarantee in accordance with the provisions of Third Clause of Defence Order No. 13 of 2020 in the name of the Minister of Interior in addition to his position must renew the guarantee until December 31, 2021.

Fourthly: Guarantees are recovered according to the following:

1. The full amount of the guarantee for the agency that has no complaints from their customers, or complaints that were settled before the issuance of the Defence Order.

2. A percentage of the guarantee for the agency that has complaints from customers filed against it. The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities is entitled to decide on the percentage of the guarantee for all travel and tourism agencies of all categories, including those that provide Hajj and umrah services, while the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is entitled to decide on the percentage for tourism agencies whose work is limited to providing Hajj and umrah services.

Fifth: The agencies referred to in first and the second article of Third Clause, shall be obligated to re-submit the guarantees stipulated in the first clause when applying for licence renewal in 2022.

Six: Any provision contradicting with this defence order is suspended. 

Seventh: The prime minister is entitled to extend the valid period of this defence order or amend any of its provisions, through circulars he issues for this purpose.

Eight: Defence Order No. 13 of 2020 is cancelled.