Jordan and the United States signed on Wednesday four grant agreements that provide Jordan with a total of $333.6 million in funds for water, health, education, governance and economic projects.
According to Petra, these agreements cover the remaining balance of the U.S. economic assistance package to Jordan for fiscal year 2005. Under the first grant agreement signed Wednesday, the United States Government will provide $35.38 million in support of ongoing USAID initiatives aimed at promoting broad-based economic growth in Jordan.
Under the second grant agreement, the United States Government will provide $49.97 million to assist Jordan to enhance water resource management and promote greater sustainability within the vital water sector.
Under the third grant agreement, the United States Government will provide $60.26 million for projects in the health, education and governance sectors. This includes $17.8 million for improving safe motherhood services in 28 public hospitals, developing a hospital accreditation system, and implementing a national health communication strategy designed to encourage healthier lifestyles. It also includes $28.6 million that will be used to support a variety of cutting-edge programs in the education sector designed to improve the way children learn and to provide youth with the skills needed to be competitive in today's modern job market.
Under the fourth grant agreement signed Wednesday, the United States Government allocates $188 million in balance of payments support that will enable the Government of Jordan to reduce its international debt burden and strengthen its foreign exchange reserves.
