(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Dec. 3 (Petra)- Jordan and the United States on Sunday inked a grant agreement worth USD475 million, as part of the US 2017 economic aid program to the Kingdom.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Imad Fakhouri, who signed the agreement with Jim Barnhart, Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the aid, expected to be transferred to the treasury account before end of this month, will be distributed to support high priority development projects in the 2017 budget in a bid reduce its deficit.
The rest of the aid amount, worth USD337m, will be allocated to foster economic development, boost social sector quality, and to bolster democratic accountability, Fakhouri pointed out, adding " this brings total of this year's US economic " non-military" aid to Jordan to USD812m." During the signing ceremony, the minister lauded sustained US support to the Kingdom, saying "this increasing aid embodies advanced level of bilateral ties and their strategic partnership. It is a step to express appreciation to the King's efforts to foster joint cooperation relations." Barnhart, on his part, said the USAID has longstanding partnership ties with Jordan, aimed to support the country's economic stability, to consolidate its democratic governance, and to better enhance citizen's access to basic services.
Explaining effect of this mutual cooperation on the Kingdom's infrastructure, the US official noted more than two million people were provided with fresh water and sewage facilities, health services substantially improved, in which 400 hospitals were modernized, and over a million students benefited from educational environment development initiatives countrywide.
He commended Jordan's pivotal role, with eye to its humanitarian efforts towards the Mideast refugee crisis.
AG
3/12/2017 - 04:02:34 PM
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