Ammon News - JT

The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Sunday unveiled the first four projects that will be funded by the first payment of Saudi contribution to the $5 billion Gulf Cooperation Council Grant (GCC).

The priority development projects are valued at $487 million, out of a total $786.4 million allocated for the entire first phase.

An agreement on remaining $299 million will million be signed during the visit of Chairman of the Saudi Development Fund Yusuf Bassam to Jordan soon, the ministry said in a statement.

Around $165 million will be dedicated to the establishment of several hospitals, including one each in Mafraq, Jerash and Ajloun, in addition to supplying several other hospitals with needed equipment.

Some $136 million of the first payment will be spent on construction and furnishing schools in various areas of the Kingdom.

The third and fourth projects aim at bettering the sewer grid system with $132 million, and road construction work for $54 million, respectively.

The Saudi grant is part of its $1.25 billion contribution to the $5 billion grant to Jordan, endorsed by the GCC last year.

During a GCC summit in December 2011, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar decided to extend the aid over a five-year period to support development projects in Jordan, with each state paying $1.25 billion.