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Ammon News - The government and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a 150 million-euro development policy loan agreement to support the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting in Jordan.

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nasser Shraideh, who signed the agreement on behalf of the government, said that this loan will support the general budget between 2022 and 2024 with soft financial conditions. The loan aims to support the government's efforts to enhance gender equality while preparing budgets, he added.

Shraideh said that the first phase includes the ministries of labour, education, health and parliamentary and political affairs, in cooperation with the general budget department, according to a Planning Ministry statement.

The minister added that the agreement will increase the allocation of resources to offer services in a fair and effective manner for citizens, while also considering gender during the planning and the implementation of projects.

AFD Deputy CEO Bertrand Walckenaer said that Jordan, through expanding the response of budgets to gender will be more advanced in the short term in this field and among the top countries seeking to enhance gender equality.

“I am glad to be in Amman to celebrate the fruitful cooperation between France and Jordan, as served by AFD Group, and witness the launch of this essential programme on Gender-Responsive Budgeting. With this reform, Jordan will be at the forefront of the gender equality agenda,” Walckenaer said, according to an AFD statement.

He noted that the AFD will also provide a grant for technical assistance and building capacity with a value of 1.5 million euros. UN Women will implement this grant to help realise the activities of the programme, he added.

The minister expressed appreciation for the French government and its executive arm, AFD, for the continuous support for the Kingdom and understanding the economic and social challenges facing Jordan.

He also said that Jordan attaches great importance to its relations with France at the bilateral level and under the EU, commending the "deep-rooted" ties between Amman and Paris.