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The government’s four binding programmes

May 28,2017 - Last updated at May 28,2017

Prime Minister Hani Mulki’s government is firmly committed to four documented programmes to guide its economic and financial policies. 

The first is the King’s appointment letter, which detailed the policies of all political economic and social aspects. The letter covers four years, the estimated life of the government.

The second is the 10-year Jordan vision scenario, which extends from 2015 to 2025, along with specific objectives and timetables.

The third is the economic reform programme agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund for the years 2016-2018.

The fourth is the most recent economic growth motivation plan issued by the Council for Economic Policies.

None of the four documents mentions the others in any way, an indication that each programme is considered complete and independent.

Of course, no one can assume that each programme supersedes the others.

Perhaps the four programmes do not contradict each other in a clear way. However, there is the priority system.

A government is unable to act according to four independent plans that deal with the same subject, which is the reform and growth of the national economy, without having to give priority to the objectives of one plan or another.

As an exception, the most recent statement by the IMF mission, issued on May 16, 2017, mentioned the economic motivation programme while urging donor countries to assist Jordan financially, to enable it to cater to several economic reform needs, including reducing budget deficit and public debt, facing the burden of the Syrian refugees and motivating economic growth.

But what about the necessary evaluation of the government’s performance?

Will it be based on the implementation of the King’s letter of appointment, the 10-years vision, the objectives of the IMF economic reform programme or the motivation of the economic growth?

The obvious answer is that the government is responsible for the implementation of all four programmes, simply because it chose to commit itself to each.

The government does not look worried about the heavy responsibilities placed on its shoulders by four sources of authority. It rushed to express unreserved commitment to each of the four plans the very day of their issuance.

The IMF economic reform programme is the only plan that stipulates follow up assessment of successes, failures and shortcomings on regular basis.

The government is not responsible and answerable to the above-mentioned four sources only, it is also answerable to the public opinion, parliament and the press.

Not to forget political opposition, which stands ready to point out shortcomings to pressure the government.

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