Jordan Times
Monday, February 21, 2005
Smadi
sworn in as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
Tayseer Smadi was sworn in on Sunday as minister of planning and international
cooperation succeeding Bassem Awadallah who resigned over the weekend. A Royal
Decree was issued yesterday appointing Smadi, who was sworn in before His
Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Faisal Fayez and Royal Court Minister
Samir Rifai.
Another Royal Decree was also issued the same day accepting Awadallah's resignation effective as of Feb. 20. Meanwhile, the King met with Awadallah and thanked him for his services and performance. He also tasked Awadallah with monitoring all issues related to holding the World Economic Forum in the Kingdom as well as programmes of King Abdullah II Fund for Development. Until his appointment as planning minister, Smadi was secretary general at the ministry, a post he held since May 2004.
Born in 1966, Smadi graduated from Yarmouk University with a bachelor's degree in economics. He obtained a masters in economics from the University of Jordan and holds a PhD in economy from Utah State University, majoring in international trade and economic development. Smadi held various posts at the Planning Ministry, including director of the Studies and Policies Department and acting director of the Human Resources Department. He also served in the Central Bank of Jordan and the Arab Fund for Socio- Economic Development, and on the boards of the Industrial Development Bank, the Central Electric Generating Company and the Jordan Investment Board. The ministerial change is the first since the October 2004 reshuffle (Photos by Yousef Allan)