AMMAN — Jordan and the
World Bank Group are set to sign funding
agreements, including additional funds to help the country address its economic
crisis and the repercussions of
COVD-19, the two sides announced Thursday.
اضافة اعلان
A joint statement following a meeting at the Ministry of
Planning and International Cooperation said that in WBG fiscal year 2021
(through June 30, 2021), the WBG with other partners are preparing a package of
over $1.1 billion in combined loans and grant financing support.
"This includes the Jordan COVID-19 Emergency Response
Project Additional Financing which will allow for expanded and equitable
COVID-19 vaccination coverage."
With WBG support, 40 percent of the eligible population can
be vaccinated to help meet the target of 75 percent of the adult population
critical for reopening the economy, schools and hard-hit sectors. The WBG is also preparing an expansion of the
Emergency Cash Transfer Project to support vulnerable households and workers
impacted by the crisis, as part of the Government’s Takaful and Istidama
programs, targeting a total estimated 160,000 households under Takaful and over
100,000 workers under Istidama.
As part of its package of FY21 support, the statement said, the
World Bank will work with the government to continue to advance Jordan’s reform
agenda. The Inclusive, Transparent and Climate Responsive Investments Program
for Results (PforR) under final preparation "will support the
implementation of critical reforms that have been initiated under the Reform
Matrix and will help Jordan capitalize on opportunities for post-pandemic
recovery including on green growth, tourism development, and female labor force
participation.
"By strengthening transparency and accessibility of
data, the PforR also will help Jordan enhance its accountability mechanisms to
deliver effective new policies and investments," the statement said.
The WBG delegation that met with Planning Minister Nasser
Al-Shraideh included Dean of the Board of Executive Directors Mirza Hassan,
Vice President of the World Bank Group for the Middle East Farid Belhaj, and
Director of the Mashreq Department at the World Bank Saroj Kumaga.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh met
with the delegation, stressing the importance of strengthening the partnership
with the World Bank to support the government in this field and many priority
axes, a government statement said.
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