Jordan Times
Thursday, October 5, 2006
US grants $50 million in
supplemental assistance
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — Jordan and the US signed a $50 million grant agreement on Wednesday,
which provides supplemental US assistance to the country, completing the
disbursement of an overall economic assistance package of $297.5 million for
fiscal year 2006.
The government will utilise the additional assistance to fund several critical
development programmes.
These include the construction of a water supply distribution system in the
northern governorates, the construction and rehabilitation of schools, and
greater employment in the tourism sector.
The additional assistance will also be used for balance of payments support to
reduce the country’s international debt burden.
After signing the agreement with Minister of Planning and International
Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali, US Ambassador David Hale described the grant as “the
concrete result of US commitment to our long-standing partnership.”
He said Jordanians have achieved numerous successes in developing various
sectors and in pursuing the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah to transform the
country’s economy into one marked by export-led growth, open markets and a
highly educated workforce competitive on the international level.
“These funds address Jordan’s efforts and development initiatives that improve
the lives of all Jordanians, especially the poor and underprivileged,” Hale
said.
USAID Mission Director Anne Aarnes also attended yesterday’s ceremony.
Since 1952, US economic assistance to Jordan totalled more than $4.7 billion.