‘JD318.155 million to be earmarked for 2016-2018 development projects in Zarqa’

ZARQA — The government is expected to spend JD318.155 million on the Zarqa Governorate development programme between 2016 and 2018, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury said Tuesday.

At a meeting with lawmakers, officials and representatives of the local community and the private sector in the governorate, some 22km east of Amman, Fakhoury said the estimated cost of development projects for 2016 is JD119.239 million, while it stands at JD106.262 million for 2017, and JD113.536 million for 2018. 

Fakhoury said the meeting comes on the heels of the Lower House’s endorsement of the draft decentralisation law, which aims to increase governorate participation in decision making on development and economic plans. 

Under the draft law, elected governorate councils and executive councils will be established to represent local government in the governorates and prepare development and economic plans.

He said the meeting will contribute to the drafting of a development document that will function as a reference for the government and partners from municipalities, the private sector and civil community institutions.

The programmes are being implemented under Royal directives, Fakhoury said, adding that the Zarqa development programme represents a strategic document and tool that includes studying and analysing the current situation of the governorate.

As part of the 2015 Jordan Response Plan, the minister added, funding worth $26.836 million will go to projects in Zarqa, which has a population of over 994,500 people according to the Department of Statistics’ 2014 estimates, 

He stressed that this support from the international community will not be enough and that Jordan will keep communicating with donors to ensure that the world shoulder its responsibilities towards the Syrian crisis.

Fakhoury said the ministry started implementing a study to create an investment map of the central governorates, including Zarqa, in coordination with the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait and the Jordan Investment Commission.

The study is expected to produce a list of investment opportunities that will boost the governorate’s productivity in competitive sectors, especially the industrial sector, according to the minsiter.