Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Cabinet retreat planned for next month to evaluate projects, discuss future programmes
By Khalid Dalal
AMMAN — The Council of Ministers has decided to hold a retreat early next month
to review plans implemented by the government and discuss its upcoming
political, economic and social programmes.
“During the retreat, the 21-Cabinet members, headed by Prime Minister Faisal
Fayez, will evaluate all projects carried by the government since it was formed
[last October]. They will also discuss future plans,” Minister of State and
Government Spokesperson Asma Khader said following a weekly Cabinet session
yesterday.
This will require all ministries to start evaluating their performance and
report their progress and future programmes, she said.
During the retreat, the government will also evaluate its plan to merge some
ministries and abolish others, namely the Ministry of Culture.
“We will evaluate the positive and negative results of such a process. If it is
necessary, some new faces might join the government “ said Khader.
After the formation of the new government in late October, some ministers were
entrusted with portfolios. For example, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation
with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Information and Communications
Technology with the Ministry of Administrative Development, the Ministry of
Tourism and Antiquities with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of
Public Works and Housing with the Ministry of Transport.
Khader said the retreat will focus on one major goal: “How best to come up with
an action plan with clear objectives and mandates in line with His Majesty King
Abdullah's Letter of Designation to the government.”
Since he ascended the Throne in February 1999, the King has been working on
achieving political and administrative reforms as well as socio-economic
development for the country.
Appointments endorsed
During their weekly session yesterday, the Cabinet appointed Mohammad Seraj,
former Ministry of Information secretary general, as director general of the
newly established Jordan Media Centre.
Tayseer Smadi was appointed as the Ministry of Planning and International
Cooperation secretary general, succeeding Hala Lattouf, who was appointed as the
Ministry of Administrative Development secretary general.
The Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Faisal Fayez, also decided to
appoint Ziyad Matarneh as director general of the Vocational Training
Corporation, succeeding Hani Abu Ghanam who was appointed as a consultant at the
Prime Ministry.
Shihada Abu Baqar and Haitham Hijazi were also appointed as consultants at the
Prime Ministry and delegated to work at the Lower House and Upper House of
Parliament respectively.
Mahmoud Kafaween was appointed as director general of the National Aid Fund.