Ammon News - Jordan Times - government committee concerned with services, infrastructure and social issues met with secretaries general of political parties on Tuesday.

During the meeting, several ministers briefed party leaders on the challenges facing their ministries and the implementation of their plans and projects.

Minister of Labour and Tourism Nidal Katamine said the tourism sector generates JD2.5 billion in revenues with medical tourism accounting for 13 per cent.

In connection to the labour market, Katamine said the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees to the country has put more pressure on the Labour Ministry’s plans and projects to employ Jordanians.

“Although we respect foreign workers in Jordan, the priority will remain for Jordanians,” he noted.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Walid Masri said the financial situation of municipalities across the country is “very bad”, with the majority suffering “huge debts”.

Around 60 per cent of municipalities’ expenditures cover the salaries of their employees, Masri said, noting that the rest is divided between 20 per cent for capital expenditures and 20 per cent for other costs.

Agriculture Minister Akef Zu’bi highlighted the challenges facing this sector, saying that the shortage of water for agricultural purposes is a major threat, in addition to urban expansion over fertile lands.

In the health sector, acting health minister Taher Shakhshir briefed party leaders on the ministry’s plans and projects to expand its services and build more hospitals and healthcare centres around the Kingdom.

Minister of Public Works and Housing Sami Halaseh highlighted the ministry’s projects to build new roads and maintain others.

Meanwhile, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Khaled Kalaldeh said this meeting is part of several others to discuss the government’s plans and projects with political parties.

“We expect that the political parties will provide each concerned minister with feedback over the best alternatives for any project or plan implemented by his/her ministry,” Kalaldeh said.

The attendants agreed to follow up on Tuesday’s discussions to actively contribute to decision making.