The United States has pledged a significant aid package of $845.1 million to support Jordan’s budget, as announced in a signing ceremony attended by Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh and U.S. Ambassador to Amman, Yael Lempert, on Tuesday.
The grant agreement was signed by Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan, and Leslie Reed, the Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission.
During the ceremony, Minister Toukan expressed the government’s gratitude for this support, which will bolster governmental efforts in implementing development priorities and economic reforms within the framework of the Economic Modernization Vision’s executive program (2023-2025) and the public sector modernization roadmap.
The minister elaborated that the cash grant agreement is part of the annual U.S. economic assistance program to the Jordanian government, included in the 2023 public budget law.
This is in line with the strategic Memorandum of Understanding signed with the U.S. in September 2022, covering a seven-year period (2023-2029), with total U.S. aid expected to reach about $10 billion.
The aid package takes into consideration the U.S. understanding of the challenges faced by the Kingdom and its support for Jordan’s economic development journey, as well as its hosting of a large number of Syrian refugees.
Toukan noted that the grant agreement signed today would transfer the annual and customary cash support to the general treasury, aiding the government’s efforts to implement priority programs and initiatives across sectors including public finance, water, energy, education, health, public works, housing, local development, tourism, antiquities, and youth. This support is also aimed at reducing the general budget deficit.
The minister highlighted that the cash grant agreement included an additional amount of $200 million allocated by the U.S. Congress over the usual annual support levels outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2023 budget, approved earlier this year.
In her speech, Ambassador Lempert emphasized that the U.S. aid, including this direct cash support grant, demonstrates the U.S.’s deep and enduring commitment to the Jordanian people.
“We support Jordan’s local reform efforts aimed at achieving ambitious goals in job creation, providing a stable financial base for the Kingdom, enhancing the private sector as a key economic driver, and assisting in addressing the worsening water crisis due to climate change,” she added.
Ambassador Lempert assured that with the aid provided today and over the lifetime of the Memorandum of Understanding, Jordan can rely on the U.S. to support and assist in turning these goals into reality.
USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed also commented on the wide-ranging benefits of the American-Jordanian partnership for the Jordanian people.
“We are working together to improve the quality of life for millions across the Kingdom through better access to healthcare, education, and water,” Reed said.
