Fakhoury meets with Saudi Fund for Development officials

AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, during which he held a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF) Yousuf Bin Ibrahim Al Bassam.

During the visit, the two sides discussed enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries and development projects, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The meeting was attended by officials from the fund and Jordan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ali Al Kayed.

Fakhouri noted that the work progress in all projects funded through Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the Gulf grant has been reviewed.

Bassam expressed SDF’s appreciation of the Jordanian government’s administration in implementing the projects of the grant, stressing the fund’s keenness to support priority development projects in Jordan.

Fakhoury outlined the economic situation and the current economic challenges faced by Jordan in light of the regional situation, especially by hosting Syrian refugees and the pressure on the national economy, infrastructure and the provision of services.

He also briefed the fund’s officials on the government’s efforts in economic and financial reforms, the statement said.

The minister commended the fund’s contribution in financing the project of revamp the Desert Highway at a cost of $105 million, in an agreement that was signed on the sidelines of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz’s visit to Jordan in March.

According to the ministry’s data, SDF is an important partner of Jordan and has provided aid that amounted to $488.1 million since 1975, contributing to financing priority development projects in strategic sectors such as energy, sanitation, education, infrastructure and health.