Ammon News - AMMAN A coalition of seven Jordanian opposition parties have put forward a national economic and social reform program to cope with the ramifications of the global economic meltdown on the national economy.

The program, unveiled today at the Jordanian National Economic Forum which got underway today, calls for a self-reliant socio-economic development strategy through launching balanced investment projects that would help rectify "structural distortions" in the national economy.

They also called on the government to maximize the role of industry and agriculture in the development process and industries dependent on local resources for a production-based economy.

The Opposition Parties Higher Coordination Committee (OPHCC) which groups the seven parties also urged the government to review some programs and policies, including privatization, the qualified industrial zones and agricultural policies.

On fiscal and monetary policy, the program calls for replacing a temporary income tax bill with the progressive tax system stipulated by the constitution.

Deputy Prime Minister Rajai Muahser told the forum, organized by the OPHCC, that the government would not resort to alternative options that affect the living standards of citizens as a result of its efforts to address a swelling budget deficit and public debt.

He said that economic hardship is a "national issue and everybody has a stake in it", noting that the government is interested in all views and would take the forum's recommendations seriously.

The Deputy Premier added that the government had allocated JD504 million in the 2010 budget for a social safety net which includes health insurance, social welfare and fuel and food subsidies.

//Petra//