Jordan, US sign 4 grant agreements worth $633m

AMMAN — Minister of Planning Ibrahim Saif and USAID/Jordan Mission Director Beth Paige on Tuesday signed four grant agreements, valued at $633 million, under the US regular and additional economic assistance for Jordan for 2014. 

The grants will be used to meet budgetary needs, finance several projects and programmes geared towards improving basic services, support economic development and boost democracy and governance. 

Underlining the importance of the grants for Jordan, Saif said the support reflects the advanced level of Jordanian-US relations, the strategic partnership and the efforts exerted by His Majesty King Abdullah to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Of the overall $633 million grants, $436 million will be extended under a cash grant to support prioritised development projects listed within the State Budget Law for 2014.

The remaining three grants will be used to improve basic services, boost economic development and implement several projects in the areas of enhancement of the rule of law, governance, civil society and political reform. 

Basic service projects will cover plans in the areas of mother and child care, reproductive health, family planning, basic education, water and the environment.

These programmes and projects will be directly run by the USAID, in coordination with the ministries and concerned government agencies.