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Ammon News - US Ambassador to Jordan Henry Wooster said that the United States supports His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision for reforms that will move Jordan towards a stronger future.

Wooster gave his remarks in a press conference, following the signing of the annual US grant agreement to support Jordan's budget, amounting to $845.1 million, between Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which comes as part of the US economic assistance program to the Jordanian government, within the third memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the two sides for 2018-2022.


"This transfer of $845.1 million dollars to the Government of Jordan signifies the continuing U.S. commitment to our partnership, which spans over seven decades," Wooster said in the press conference.

"Today marks the last agreement and transfer under the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding which, when combined with the new MoU signed by our governments in September, equates to the largest U.S. economic assistance program in the world," Wooster added.

He noted that both countries' Foreign Ministers signed a new, seven-year, 10.15-billion-dollar MoU between our two countries on September 16. "This is the longest and largest MoU signed by our governments."

"The magnitude and length of the agreement reflects the strategic importance of this relationship to the United States," He emphasized.

"We recognize hard decisions will be necessary to implement reforms. Today’s cash transfer, plus the new, seven-year MOU, are intended to let Jordanians know, unequivocally, the United States continues to stand alongside you," Wooster underlined.

"We will work with the government and people of Jordan to spur economic recovery, strengthen water security, and set the conditions to provide Jordanians the education, health care, and job opportunities they need" Wooster underscored.

He spoke about Jordan's burden, due to hosting refugees, who make up 30 per cent of its population, its quest to recover form the pandemic, and the importance of this transfer in helping Jordan.

The US Ambassador highlighted joint projects implemented by the two countries in various fields, and his country's keenness to continue its cooperation with Jordan.


He explained that the United States provided a $300 million grant for the national carrier project, and pledged to provide another $400 million loan.

We are proud of the U.S.-Jordanian partnership, and look forward to our continued cooperation.

According to today's agreement, the US government will transfer the direct cash support grant to the public treasury account this month, to fund priority development projects in various sectors, including public finance, water, education, public works, housing, and support for economic recovery efforts, which will contribute to reducing the public budget deficit and support the government's plans aimed at creating an appropriate environment for implementing the economic modernization vision. It will also contribute to supporting Jordan's developmental efforts and supporting the implementation of economic and developmental reform plans and programs in various sectors.