Planning minister acquaints EU ambassadors with gov’t’s 2021-2024 executive programme

AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh on Wednesday met with Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Maria Hadjitheodosiou and ambassadors of the EU to acquaint them with the government’s executive programme for the years 2021-2024 and updates on implementing the Syrian response plan.

Shraideh reviewed the indicators of the economic performance in 2020 and challenges associated with the economic recession that is expected to stand at 3 per cent, in addition to unprecedented pressures on economic sectors as a result of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The minister also went over the top economic indicators targeted during the programme duration, referring to major procedures the government has adopted to face the pandemic’s impacts on the health and social protection fields, as well as efforts exerted to reach a balance between curbing the spread of the virus and sustaining the economic activity.

He also highlighted the importance of the executive programme that acts as a government reference that includes priority policies and projects in various sectors, noting that the government embarked on preparing the programme over the past months following Royal directives. 

In this regard, Shraideh said that the programme aims at going on with structural and economic reforms, developing the political life, enhancing the rule of law, transforming to the digital and green economy, stimulating investments and productive sectors, improving the level of infrastructure services, elevating social services, increasing employment opportunities and enhancing the self-resilience approach. 

The minister also briefed the ambassadors on the finance needs of the programme, stressing the importance of securing assistance to finance the programme’s priorities and projects, in addition to providing direct support to the Treasury to maintain monetary stability and alleviate debt burdens.

Meanwhile, Shraideh reviewed additional pressures and burdens that Jordan bears on behalf of the international community due to the Syrian refugee crisis, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in this regard and support the Kingdom to continue providing humanitarian services to refugees.

The government, as part of efforts to prepare for the fifth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” on March 29-30, has recently completed preparing the Syrian response plan for 2021, which focused on four main pillars: Refugees, host communities, infrastructure and developing institutional capabilities, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The minister said that the plan covers seven sectors: Education, health, shelter, social protection, sewage services, economic empowerment and public services, noting that the plan will be reviewed before international community representatives during the conference, including the financial needs necessary for its implementation that amount to $2.4 billion. 

Shraideh called on the EU ambassadors to support the Kingdom’s demand before the international community to secure these funds as per the priorities and agreeing on effective mechanisms for its execution in a way that guarantees offering suitable services to refugees and host communities.

At the end of the meeting, the minister expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation of donor countries and organisations for supporting Jordan in realising the development process and facing the challenges resulting from the pandemic. 

EU ambassadors voiced their understanding to the challenges facing Jordan and their countries’ readiness to continue supporting the Kingdom in its efforts in addressing the pandemic and hosting refugees.

The ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden participated in the meeting.