PM holds slew of meetings on WEF sidelines

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Wednesday held bilateral meetings with various heads of delegations on the sidelines of his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The prime minister met with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed Jordan’s strategy in the field of financial inclusion, which envisages enabling citizens to easily, fairly and conveniently obtain financial services 

The Queen of the Netherlands stressed that the UN supports and encourages financial inclusion policies, highlighting that Jordan is a “promising success story” and is proceeding at a rapid pace in this regard, Petra said.

In the field of bilateral relations between Jordan and the Netherlands, the prime minister stressed the distinguished relations that bind the two countries and the desire to enhance them in all fields, and discussed ways of increasing agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

The premier also met with his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Shtayyeh and discussed the distinguished relations that link Jordan and Palestine in all fields.

Razzaz affirmed Jordan’s support under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah for the Palestinian people, pointing to His Majesty’s efforts to convey and express the aspirations of Palestinians and their right to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on June 4, 1967 lines.

For his part, the Palestinian prime minister affirmed that, under the guidance of King Abdullah and President Mahmoud Abbas, most of the issues that were discussed during the last period related to the process of joint cooperation have been accomplished or are being completed.

Razzaz also met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, where they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of strengthening them in all fields, to serve the interests of both countries.

The prime minister and his Pakistani counterpart affirmed their keenness to enhance bilateral relations and the path of joint cooperation.

Razzaz conveyed the greetings and best wishes of King Abdullah to Khan, as well as His Majesty’s wishes of further progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. 

The premier also met the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Bandar Hajjar, and discussed projects that Jordan intends to implement in many vital sectors and the possibility of the IsDB’s contribution to support their implementation.

Hajjar affirmed IsDB’s keenness to maintain its cooperation with Jordan, and that the bank is constantly studying the feasibility of projects that benefit everyone, Petra reported.

Hajjar pointed out that the IsDB established a fund to support innovative projects, stressing its aspiration for Jordanian youth to participate and benefit from it.

Talks during the meeting also touched on the means by which the bank can support financing emerging enterprises that serve youth.

The prime minister also met with Suma Chakrabarti, the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, who affirmed the bank’s aspiration to increase cooperation with Jordan and contribute to supporting and financing more investments in the Kingdom.

Chakrabarti, who confirmed his aspiration to visit Jordan during the near future, indicated that the bank is in the process of developing its plans for the next five years.

The prime minister praised the bank’s distinguished effort to support many vital sectors in Jordan, especially in the areas of infrastructure, noting the government’s plans to implement many major projects in partnership with the private sector.

The prime minister also met Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where they discussed aspects of cooperation between Jordan and the relevant UN organisations, to meet the increasing needs of Syrian refugees.

The prime minister stressed that Jordan bears burdens that exceed its capacity in light of the limited support provided by the international community, pointing to the importance of continuing support to the Kingdom in order for it to continue providing basic services to refugees.

Grandi praised the efforts exerted by Jordan in this regard, stressing the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between the two sides.

Razzaz also met with Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber International, who briefed the PM on the company’s work and its operations in many countries, valuing the support provided by the Jordanian government and expressing the company’s aspiration to provide better services.

The prime minister stressed that the government sees the public transport sector as a high priority and is working to develop a comprehensive and integrated transport system in the Kingdom, calling on the company to maintain its communication with the Ministry of Transport regarding any development projects.

Razzaz also met with Thierry Déau, CEO of Meridiam, a global investor and asset manager specialising in public and community infrastructure, and the two parties discussed the company’s investments in Jordan, according to Petra.

The CEO stressed the company’s keenness to pump more investment in the fields of infrastructure.