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Planning Minister Suhair Al-Ali (right) is seen during a ceremony to sign grant agreements with US Ambassador Stephen Beecroft (centre) and USAID Jordan Mission Director Jay Knott (Petra photo) |
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AMMAN – In a sign of the enduring strength of the Jordanian-American partnership, American Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft, USAID Jordan Mission Director Jay Knott and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali today signed four agreements, under which the United States will provide $100 million in grant funds to Jordan in FY2009. Although total U.S. economic assistance to Jordan in FY2009 has not yet been determined, the funds - known as bridge supplemental funds that are part of FY2009 U.S. assistance to Jordan – will be obligated through amendments to the assistance agreements with the Government of Jordan.
In remarks at a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Ambassador Beecroft underscored 60 years of partnership between the United States and Jordan on the most pressing issues facing Jordanian citizens, especially during this time of global financial crisis. Ambassador Beecroft noted that the grant agreements signed today reaffirm our commitment to “working with our Jordanian friends as they strive to build a better future for themselves and their children.”
The first agreement is for a cash transfer that provides $70 million as balance of payments support to the Jordanian Government to reduce Jordan’s international debt. This would free up more money for the Government of Jordan to carry out its reform programs and make a real difference in the lives of Jordanian citizens. The second agreement, worth $19 million, includes $12 million in support of social and economic services to support King Abdullah’s vision for reducing poverty and assisting disadvantaged youth in Jordan as well as $7 million to support the education sector. The third agreement provides $9 million to achieve economic growth and increase job opportunities for Jordanians. The fourth agreement provides $2 million in support of the Kingdom’s good governance and democracy programs.
The U.S. assistance program to Jordan is among the largest in the world. The program is founded upon a strong partnership linking the Jordanian and American people, and the American commitment to Jordanians as they seek to improve their living conditions through economic opportunities. Since 1952, U.S. economic assistance to Jordan has totaled $5.6 billion.
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