UK minister reiterates support to Jordan ahead of London investor conference

AMMAN — Minister of planning and international cooperation in the caretaker government Imad Fakhoury on Monday met with UK Minister of State for International Development Alistair Burt and discussed means to boost development cooperation and the importance of supporting Jordan, a Planning Ministry statement said. 

During the meeting, the two officials stressed the need to support Jordan’s economy and development in light of the challenges that Kingdom is facing due to the regional instability.

They underscored the need for the international community to “fully honour its commitments” and continue supporting the Kingdom to enhance its economic resilience and maintain the provision of services for refugees.

Fakhoury voiced Jordan’s appreciation for the UK’s continuous support to the Kingdom, before discussing a conference on Jordan that will be held in London towards the end of 2018.

Burt reaffirmed the commitment to the UK-Jordan partnership ahead of the investor conference, expressing the British commitment to supporting the Jordanian government in creating jobs and boosting economic growth.

Fakhoury and Burt went over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding that was signed by the two countries in November 2017 during the visit of UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

The memo stipulates the provision of £75 million in grant to fund priority development projects and to support the economic resilience, according to the statement.

“The agreement is a milestone in the two Kingdoms’ bilateral relations on the track of more sustainable economic and comprehensive development,” the statement said.

As part of his two-day visit, the British official on Sunday met with Jordanians and Syrian refugees who have found jobs through a UK aid-backed programme, a statement by the British government said.

He also met with communities who have benefited from water supplied by the UK-aid backed dam in Ajloun and with Palestinian refugees in Marka who are receiving UK aid support. 

Following a speech to congratulate the newly appointed Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, Burt said: “The UK is a partner Jordan can rely on and we are committed to making sure the country remains a beacon of hope and stability in the Middle East. Our support is helping create jobs, provide a quality education and skills training, and ensure that most vulnerable have the support they need.”

“We are hosting an international investor conference in London to build international support for Jordan so that the private sector can continue to be an engine for growth, giving all Jordanians the opportunities they deserve,” he continued. 

UK aid support for Jordan this year includes providing loans to encourage over £150 million of investment from other international donors, launching apprenticeships and vocational skills training to help 10,000 Jordanians over the next three years, and giving live-saving support to 60,000 of the most vulnerable refugees and Jordanians, the statement said.

The support is part of the UK’s long-term partnership with Jordan, which was discussed by the UK prime minister and His Majesty King Abdullah in November. The partnership will see the UK significantly increase funding and diplomatic support for Jordan.