Jordan Times
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Jordan, US Sign Grant
Agreement
Amman, Oct. 4 (Petra)—Jordan and the United States signed a grant agreement
under which the US would provide $50 million to Jordan through the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) to support the treasury, ease
Jordan’s debt burden and implement projects in the health, educational and
vocational training fields.
This grant completes the disbursement of an overall economic assistance package
of $297.5 million from the United States.
The grant agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International
Cooperation Suhair Al Ali and the US ambassador to Jordan David Hale.
The grant will be used for the construction of the Northern Governorates Water
Supply distribution system, the construction and rehabilitation of schools, and
greater employment in the tourism field.
Al Ali expressed appreciation of the US aid, particularly in light of efforts
being exerted by His Majesty King Abdullah II to achieve economic and social
development in the Kingdom and improve the standards of living of citizens.
The US aid contributed to implementing a number of projects in water, health,
education, and economic and social development fields,” she added.
The US ambassador for his part described the grant as the concrete result of US
commitment to longstanding partnership with Jordan. He said that Jordan had
achieved numerous successes in developing various sectors and in pursuing the
vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian people to transform
Jordan’s economy into one marked by export-led growth, open markets and a
highly-educated workforce competitive on the international level.
Since 1952, U.S. economic assistance to Jordan totaled more than $4.7 billion.