Jordan Times
Monday, May 29, 2006
Officials stress need for US assistance
AMMAN (Petra) — HRH Prince Feisal, the Regent,
met with a visiting delegation of US congressional aides on Sunday to discuss
cooperation between the two countries and recent developments in the Middle
East.
Also yesterday at a separate meeting, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit briefed the
delegates on the economic hardships facing the country and the challenges
resulting from high oil prices.
During the meeting, attended by Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh and US
Ambassador to Jordan David Hale, the premier praised Jordanian-US relations,
expressing appreciation of US assistance to the country.
Bakhit outlined the importance of the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and
its effect on the country’s economic development.
The country’s exports to the US in 2005 totalled $1.3 billion, Bakhit told the
US delegation.
In light of the FTA, a large number of foreign companies had invested in the
Qualified Industrial Zones, in order to increase their exports to the US, he
added.
The premier said the government was committed to achieving political, economic
and social reforms, in line His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives.
He reiterated the country’s efforts to combat terrorism, not only through
security measures but also by encouraging moderation and highlighting Islam as a
tolerant religion.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with the delegates, Minister of Planning and
International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali briefed them on the country’s high
budget deficit, estimated at JD450 million or 5.4 per cent of the gross domestic
product, resulting mainly from high oil prices.
Al-Ali highlighted the importance of US aid, stressing the need for additional
assistance to enable Jordan to implement income-generating projects to improve
living standards.
The planning minister also briefed the delegates on the country’s political,
economic and social reform programmes, including the adoption of legislation
such as the financial disclosure and anti-corruption laws.