Randa Habib’s Corner

It’s strange that there was almost no reaction to the news that foreign aid to Jordan has dropped last year by 54 per cent.

This means that Jordanians are either beginning to realise that the country can’t keep relying on foreign aid, which always comes at a price, and that it should become self dependent, or that they simply did not expect that this promised aid will materialise anyway.

The irony is that many Jordanians are expecting the government to find them jobs, preferably well paid and with little effort involved, while the government is counting on foreign aid to jobs.

At the same time, certain jobs are tailored to accommodate those who only want to work for the government, and we still see many officials lavishly spending right and left, driving luxury cars, travelling around the world using scarce funds that can be used more wisely.

It seems that it is time to start thinking outside of the box. We need to develop services and goods with added value that can compete in the international markets. Creative ideas need intelligent workers in intelligent workplace.

I was amazed to read the other day that India's export of software and services is expected to reach $60 billion this year.

On a separate note, an old man I met recently looked sad and worried about the news on foreign aid.

He voiced concern about the budget and the health of the economy, but he switched to other subjects in no time. The next day, as I was driving in heavy rain, I was touched to see many happy faces under the pouring rains doing their job. I received a call from the same old man; his voice was exceptionally full of life when he said: “I was wrong yesterday to worry about reduced foreign aid” and he hung up.

Rain for Jordanians will always bring joy and happiness because it is a good omen and a heavenly aid from God that is unconditional.

(Jordan Times)