Jordan, Japan discuss aid package to support budget, development projects

AMMAN — Jordan and Japan on Thursday discussed Japan's aid package to Jordan for 2018, a statement from the Planning and International Cooperation Ministry said.

The aid will include support to the general budget, grants to support the implementation of development projects and the Jordan Response Plan (JRP) to the Syrian crisis, according to the statement.

The discussion came during a meeting between Planning and International Cooperation Minister Mary Kawar and Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahisa Sato.

During the meeting, Kawar outlined the current economic challenges facing the Kingdom and the reforms that Jordan is working on under the Royal directives to take "tangible and serious" measures in addressing the sluggish economic growth and restoring it to improve the citizens' living standards.

For his part, Sato highlighted the depth of Jordanian-Japanese ties, stressing that his country will continue providing Jordan with support to preserve its economic resilience under the "difficult" circumstances, and to enable the Kingdom to face the challenges stemming from the Syrian crisis and its developments near the Jordanian borders.

In addition, Japan will continue providing humanitarian aid and supporting the refugee host communities in line with the JRP.

Kawar voiced appreciation of the government and the people of Jordan for Japanese support over decades of strategic partnership between the two countries.

She praised the Japanese role in helping Jordan respond to the Syrian crisis through addition grants, which helps mitigating the financial burdens shouldered by the Kingdom as a result of hosting refugees.

Japan is among the Kingdom's top development partners, as it provides financial support as grants and as concessional loans for development projects and for supporting the budget, in addition to implementing technical assistance and training programmes, according to the statement.