AMMAN — At the
Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Wednesday, the Jordanian and Italian governments signed a 235-million euro agreement with Jordan.
اضافة اعلان
The funds, which will be distributed in the years 2021-2023 includes grants totaling some 30 million euros, through which
development projects will be funded for local communities hosting Syrian refugees.
The agreement also includes arrangements for a debt for development exchange valuing 20 million euros to finance projects that promote sustainable development, in addition to
soft loans amounting to 185 million euros.
Of the soft loans, 85 million euros allocated to support the health sector through the general budget. Some 50 million euros will be allocated for the Aqaba—Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. An additional 50 million euros were set aside to support the agricultural sector through the general budget as well.
The minister of planning and international cooperation, Nasser Shraideh, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Jordanian government, and the Italian deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Marina Sereni, both said that they strongly value the relationship between the two countries.
In a press statement, Sereni praised Jordan for “bearing a heavy burden due to the inflow of Syrian refugees. We commend your solidarity in supporting the Syrian population.”
She said that Italy supports both “international organizations and the Italian civil society organizations active on the ground addressing both the needs of Syrian refugees and of local communities.”
Shraideh told
Jordan News that “the challenges and circumstances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic require cooperation with sister countries in which we benefit from his Majesty King Abdullah’s strong relations with all countries.”
Regarding the amount of financial support expected to be received by Jordan by the end of 2021, Shraideh said that “the amount would be satisfying” and that details would be released soon.
Sereni added in a press statement that, “the agreement framework — People, Prosperity, Peace, and Security — has been shared with Jordanian government and will foster inclusive economic growth and decent work, equality, and social cohesion, promoting a culture of good governance.”
During her visit to the Kingdom, the deputy minister has also met with representatives of Italian civil society organizations working in Jordan and visited the Hitteen refugee camp.
She participated in a handover of the “Housing reconstruction in Hitteen Palestinian refugee camp” project funded by Italy.
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