Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhouri discussed with US officials means to renew the Jordanian-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2018-2022.

The minister underlined the importance of the MoU to support the Kingdom's reform and development efforts for the coming five years, a statement from the ministry said.

The minister discussed the MoU with officials from the US Administration, Department of State, Department of Treasury, USAID, Congressmen, especially members of the allocations committee, the ministry statement added.

The minister briefed the US officials on current and extraordinary challenges facing the Kingdom, mainly as a result of hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees and the challenge of turning challenges into opportunities to maintain economic and fiscal stability in Jordan.

Meanwhile, the minister spoke about the Jordan 2025-driven Jordanian economic growth program, which highlights the top structural reforms in the Kingdom. He also highlighted the key role played by Jordan to become a role model in gradual and home-driven reform.

According to Fakhouri, the US officials said they realize the challenges facing Jordan and that they recognize the key role played by Jordan at the regional level.

In a separate meeting, Fakhouri met with influential US think-tanks and briefed them on the Kingdom's reform and developmental efforts. He also spoke about Jordan's regional role and the impact of the Syrian crisis on the Kingdom's already scarce resource.

He highlighted the need to continue support to help Jordan shoulder its burdens borne by the large number of Syrian refugees.