Ammon News - ** $1 billion in foreign aid to Jordan expected in 2010
** Jordan beginning to witness serious impact of global economic crisis

AMMONNEWS - Amal Ghabayen - Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Jaafar Hassan denied reports that the government has an alternative emergency plan in case foreign aid provided to Jordan decreases, and stressed that "Jordan must not rely on foreign grants."

Hassan's comments came in response to questions about foreign grants that are based on specific policies from the donor countries, according to his expression.

The minister said during a press conference held at the ministry Monday afternoon that the amount of aid and grants offered to Jordan for fiscal year 2010 reached around one billion dollars, if they are endorsed, explaining that Jordan's state budget relies on such aid.

The aid and grants vary in value depending on the specific policies dictated by the donor countries, Hassan said, yet stressed that Jordan must not rely on such aid.

Hassan expressed tat Jordan is beginning to witness the serious impact of the global economic crisis this year, noting that the repercussions of the crisis began to affect the kingdom much later than other countries that had announced a direct negative impact from the crisis in the past phase.

The minister added that the action plan of the Ministry of Planning consists of seven main axes aimed at dealing with the economic crisis according to a specific strategy that helps alleviate burdens off citizens and contributes to improving their living standards, especially through preparation of a number of projects to fight poverty and raise the standards of living in underprivileged areas.

During the press conference, discussion regarding the axis that handles foreign assistance was ambiguous, leading the minister to resort to the help of the Director of International Cooperation several times to help better explain the statements given to journalists in that regard.

Hassan gave an overview of the important elements in the ministry's action plan that includes:

- Creating a catalyst for economic growth and proceeding with mega infrastructure projects, development programs throughout the kingdom's governorates, and establishing a database system to manage all information related to preparation and execution of such projects

- Expanding the middle class stratum of society and protecting the poor by preparing an empowerment program for the poor for 2010-2012 in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Developments and other concerned agencies, that includes training, workshops, education, and small business development.

- Empowerment and development of citizens' qualifications by providing means to develop skills necessary in the job market, to include preparing and training female graduates of community colleges to enhance their participation in the work force, in addition to negotiations with European agencies to get a grant for a program to enhance the vocational and technical training and education sectors valued at 35 million euros.

- Enhance government capabilities and 'activating' the processes of accountability and government performance evaluations through conducting evaluation studies for comprehensive programs and projects carried out between 2007 and 2009, and surveying development studies in coordination with the World Bank and the Social and Economic Councils, in addition to launching the Information System for foreign aid given to Jordan from donor countries and organizations.

- Providing training programs and educational scholarships within the context of cultural and scientific cooperation agreements and protocols conducted by the Jordanian government, via the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, with donor countries and organizations.

- Empowering the atmosphere of business and investment by preparing reports on economic conditions and progress and by establishing a cooperative work mechanism with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in preparing the annual reports and following up on its recommendations and monitoring changes faced by the national economy.

- Enhancing political and civil participation by conducting a survey study in cooperation with the Ministry of Political Development aimed at preparing a guidebook for civil society organizations that guides them in identifying development priorities, preparing budgets and plans, and marketing programs for domestic economic development in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, among others.