Kawar tours ministry projects in Ajloun, opens advisory office

AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mary Kawar on Tuesday opened an advisory office and toured several projects in Ajloun.

Kawar also visited a number of local community enterprises funded and supported through the ministry’s Programme of Enhancing Economic and Social Productivity (Irada), a Planning Ministry statement said.

Kawar was joined by Ajloun Governor Ali Majali and a number of MPs and officials during her visit.

The advisory office aims to introduce the government’s lending programmes to the local community, as well as direct youth and various groups to the most appropriate financing plans for their own projects.

The Council of Ministers recently approved advisory offices for all 12 governorates, according to the statement.

The enterprises, which were funded by Irada, include 26 small enterprises for ex-servicemen, a restaurant at the Ajloun Nature reserve that employs 14 people, a resort that will provide 24 jobs and a Zaha Cultural Centre for Childhood, which will open soon.

Kawar said that the enterprises come within the framework of the government’s efforts to promote self-employment as an important means of alleviating poverty in various governorates and encouraging SMEs.