 |
|
|
|
 |
| USAID Information:
External Links:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jordan
SNAPSHOT
Date of independence: 1946
Population: 5.7
million (2007)
Annual income per person: $2,850 (yr)
Source: World Development Indicators 2007
USAID IN JORDAN
jordan.usaid.gov
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Jay Knott
USAID, c/o American Embassy
P.O. Box 354
Amman 11118, Jordan
Tel: 962-6-590-6000
Desk Officer
Margaret Dula
Tel: (202) 712-1533
Email: mdula@usaid.gov
USAID is helping ready Jordanian youth for the modern workplace. These youth will
go on to help realize Jordan's aspirations to become the regional hub for information
technology – a sector that can have a great impact upon women's livelihoods.
(Photo: USAID/Jordan)
Overview
The United States and Jordan have been partners in Jordan’s development for nearly 60 years. The United States is committed to helping Jordan meet its goal of economic prosperity for all citizens. Within the region, Jordan's comparative advantage rests with its young, well-educated population; world-class tourist attractions; and commitment to political and economic reform. Since the U.S.- Jordan development partnership began in 1952, USAID has devoted more than $5.5 billion towards Jordan’s future. Today, USAID focuses on water resources, economic growth, health care, education, and good governance.
Programs
Economic Growth
Rapid population growth places enormous burdens on Jordan, where jobs are not created fast enough to absorb a growing workforce. Regional events also have had a negative impact on the economy. Jordan embarked on economic and social reforms with broad public and private support, leading to overall economic growth over the past several years. Reforms have included improvements to commercial laws, development of financial and capital markets, support for small- and medium-sized businesses, and strengthening of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Despite these improvements, however, poverty and unemployment remain great challenges for Jordan. Coupled with the emerging energy crisis resulting from the rising fuel prices, these challenges are threatening Jordan’s economic and political stability. Jordan, a World Trade Organization member, has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. USAID works with the government and businesses to improve their efficiency, increase trade and investment, and create more jobs and higher incomes. Programs are designed to promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, improve productivity, and help companies take advantage of the FTA and increase exports. Initiatives also aim at improving tax administration and the public expenditure system, increasing financial services to small- and medium-sized enterprises, streamlining business licensing and registration, and spreading good governance practices. USAID is also embarking on a new initiative to help advance energy efficiency and regulatory reform.
Investing In People
Jordan’s social reform efforts are focused on addressing challenges related to population growth, health care services, educating students for the workplace, youth unemployment, poverty, and lack of water. USAID is supporting Jordan in all of these areas. Improving and expanding access to high-quality family planning and health services at all of Jordan’s public hospitals and health centers is benefiting the poor—especially women and youth. USAID programs support the renovation of clinics and hospitals, provide equipment, train health professionals, and institutionalize quality-control standards. Education programs focus on building 30 schools and renovating and expanding 100 more, training teachers, and providing students with the skills (especially in information technology) necessary to succeed in today’s job market. New Youth and poverty alleviation programs will increase availability of services and financial resources for youth and other vulnerable populations. Efforts to increase the availability of water, promote good sanitation practices, encourage reuse of wastewater in industry and agriculture, and improve water-use efficiency are enhancing the quality of life for Jordanians.
Governing Justly And Democratically
Political reforms play a big part in Jordan’s efforts to become a player in the global economy, and USAID is supporting these efforts. Specifically, USAID is increasing transparency and accountability in the judicial and legislative branches by automating the civil court system and equipping parliamentarians to better review and approve legislation. USAID also works to enhance the professionalism of the media by improving their independence and reporting capabilities. USAID programs encourage political parties to be more responsive to citizen needs and to implement national platforms. Increasing civic participation in the democratic process is also a key element in USAID’s initiatives; through efforts to empower civil society and women, USAID programs complement Millennium Challenge Corporation efforts to contribute to the creation of vibrant local governments. USAID also works with public sector institutions to build their capacity in planning and service delivery functions.
Cash Transfer
USAID’s cash transfer to Jordan is contingent upon the Jordanian government’s implementation of policy reforms necessary to advance its development agenda. USAID provides dollars to help Jordan pay down its external, non-military debt. In return, the Government of Jordan provides an equal amount of money in Jordanian dinars to support development programs in Jordan that are designed jointly by the government and USAID.
Back to Top ^
|
