Fakhoury, stakeholders discuss development priorities in governorates

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury on Monday said that his ministry is looking forward to the USAID, to fund part of the development in governorates through its programmes and projects, a ministry statement said. 

Fakhoury made his remarks during a meeting to follow up on the outcomes of the governorate development programme for the years 2016-2018 with Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, governors, US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells and USAID Mission Director in Amman Jim Barnhart.

During the meeting, Fakhoury said the funds needed to support the governorate's priorities and needs for 2016-2018 amount to JD2.188 billion, JD1.363 billion of which will be funded from budgets, ministries and independent government units, and thus the financial gap is estimated at around JD825 million.

Moreover, he said the Cabinet decided to allocate JD450 million for the years 2016-2018 to the governorates infrastructure project, and under the decision a set of top development priority projects will be implemented. 

A joint team from the Planning Ministry and USAID has conducted a tour to all governorates, during which they discussed the development priorities and the range of possible USAID contribution to funding part of the projects that are top priority for local communities, according to the statement.

Fakhoury highlighted the Interior Ministry's role, through governors, as a key partner in facilitating meetings with the public to determine the top needs of each governorate for the next three years, thus coming up with the list of development priorities that resulted from the participation of Senates, MPs, mayors, representatives from the private sector, Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and civil society institutions. 

For their part, USAID representatives gave a presentation on their executive plans to contribute in funding the projects, during which the mission director said that the priorities include supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises, creating job opportunities, training workers, supporting renewable energy projects and financing water, education, agriculture and tourism. 

During the upcoming weeks, the planning and interior ministries, in cooperation with different national funds, are going to conduct field visits on the level of governorates and administrative districts  to conduct workshops and raise awareness of the different funds and their programmes, in addition to the government's programmes aimed at supporting the citizens' productivity. 

The US ambassador expressed appreciation to the government efforts to achieve local development, commending the planning ministry approach in designing and implementing development programmes that respond to the needs of local communities in different sectors.

USAID director in Amman also highlighted the importance of coordination between the agency and the planning and interior ministries in regards to field visits to governorates so that the agency can have a firsthand look at the development needs and priorities of citizens.

He pointed out that USAID's interventions would be in line of local community needs and the governorates' development programmes.

At the meeting, the USAID gave a presentation on its plans to contribute to funding development needs and priorities in governorates.

The agency's director said the most important development needs and priorities were shortlisted as the focus would be on supporting SMEs, creating new job opportunities, developing and training the workforce, supporting renewable energy projects, and supporting projects in healthcare, water, education, tourism and agriculture sectors.

"We look forward for the USAID to finance part of the development priorities of governorates, especially in funding projects of new buildings, annexes and maintenance of schools, improving services of health centres and hospitals, implementing priority projects in water, agriculture, tourism and renewable energy sectors," Fakhoury said.

Fakhoury briefed the gathering on the challenges that face governorates such as unemployment, increase in poverty rates and the pressure on basic services and infrastructure caused by Syrian refugees.  

"This was scientifically and realistically demonstrated in the outcomes of the last population census. The ministry modified the governorates' development programmes based on those outcomes. To alleviate the burdens the ministry allocated additional financing for governorates' development to implement projects in a bid to reduce poverty and unemployment," he added.

As there is a dire need to set up income-generating projects, the Fakhoury pointed out to the recent agreement signed between the ministries of planning and labour  to launch a nationwide initiative for expand productive branches to all governorates at a cost of JD14 million.

Through those branches, 20 new schemes would be set up in rural and underprivileged areas in addition to the 16 branches already established, the ministry's statement said.

Through funding initiatives, the ministry seeks to encourage free enterprise, entrepreneurships and support programmes that help improve the business and investment environment in governorates.