Senate committee approves draft addendum to State Budget Law

AMMAN — The Senate's Finance and Economy Committee on Thursday approved a draft of an addendum to the 2021 State Budget Law, as referred by the Lower House.

Senator Jamal Sarayrah, head of the committee, emphasised the importance of the addendum in alleviating the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Al Shraideh stressed that the addendum is meant to address the repercussions of the pandemic, as well as to maintain jobs in the private sector, support low-income families that work in the informal sector. 

The minister also highlighted the intention to extend the Estidama (sustainability) programme for an additional six months. 

Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ said that the addendum, at a total value of JD263 million, is “zero deficit”, which entails no additional burden on the public debt. He noted that the expenditures are covered by a US grant.