Sawtouna presents its 2007 achievements and future plans

The session presented the project's main achievements over the last year, which included an amendment to the companies' law reducing the minimum capital requirement to 1000JDs, a commitment from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to reform the registration and licensing process, the Sawtouna student parliament staffer training program, the Sawtouna radio show, and the parliamentary debate series amongst others.

The project also outlined future advocacy plans and showcased their tools to advocate for such pertinent issues as customs, taxation, licensing and the enforcement of intellectual property laws to promote the creation local intellectual capital.

Mr. Abdelrahim Boucai, a parliament member for the third district of Amman, also spoke briefly on behalf of the parliament members in attendance at the event, about Sawtouna's contributions and the parliaments' commitment to pushing forward the recommendations put forward by the project.

In attendance were many NGO representatives who contributed to the projects' success, some through coalition participation and others through indirect and direct support. The session also included a number of government representatives and parliamentarians who applauded the efforts and stressed the need for civil society participation through dedicated advocacy programs like Sawtouna.

At the event, the project also circulated a number consensus-built issue research papers which are available through their website: www.satouna-yea.jo