BY OMAR OBEIDAT, JORDAN TIMES

AMMAN –– Jordan and the US on Wednesday signed five grant agreements worth $359.3 million.
The grants, presented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will support various sectors, including the budget, education, health and economic development in addition to a plan to combat poverty and promote good governance.

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan said that $184 million, or 52 per cent of the grants’ value, will go to budget support to reduce the deficit, adding the funds will be transferred before the end of this year.

The minister, who signed the agreements on behalf of the government, explained that around $48 million will be allocated to support the education sector, particularly building and renovating public schools, and $23.5 million to support the health sector, in addition to $14.6 million to fund projects related to improving the living conditions of women, youth and children.

In the field of governance, $21.9 million will be allocated to implement several ongoing schemes in the fields of justice, media and good governance, Hassan noted, adding that an agreement worth $39.8 million was also signed to finance a number of development projects to generate jobs and boost trade and investment.

In the water sector, $24.9 million will be granted to complete priority schemes including environment projects.

In addition to the five financial aid agreements, Hassan signed last week an agreement worth $19 million with the US government in Washington under which the US will grant the Kingdom 50,000 tonnes of wheat.

READ MORE ON JORDAN TIMES http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=41792

NOTE BY THE EDITOR: And what are the strings attached? (Protect Israel’s borders may be? cheaper than a US or Israeli army division…)