Amman, Aug. 26 (Petra) - The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan, met with Mohammed Saif Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and his accompanying delegation during an official visit to Jordan.
During the meeting, the parties signed a USD300 million financing agreement to support the Kingdom’s general budget, as well as a USD40 million contract to construct and equip a number of public vocational and technical schools, funded by a ADFD grant.
Toukan signed the budget support agreement on behalf of the Government of Jordan, while Suwaidi signed on behalf of ADFD.
Additionally, the two sides signed a USD40 million contract to build and equip five vocational and technical schools built to the highest standards. The agreement was signed by Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Azmi Mahafzah on behalf of the Jordanian government, and by Ahmed Shamsi, CEO of Trojan Holding, the contracting company.
The project forms part of the government’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) and is financed through grants outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed between Jordan and ADFD at the end of 2023. It aims to support the vocational and technical education sector and provide the labor market with qualified talent across diverse economic fields.
Toukan stressed that the signed agreements reflect the depth of the strategic relations between Jordan and the UAE, and embody the role of the ADFD as a key partner in supporting Jordan’s development efforts over more than five decades.
She added that the Fund’s support to Jordan during the past five years has amounted to nearly USD1 billion, underscoring the continued backing of the priorities of the EMV and sustainable development in the Kingdom.
For his part, Suwaidi affirmed that the agreement demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to supporting Jordan’s efforts to consolidate economic stability and reinforce the foundations of sustainable growth.
He highlighted that the strategic relationship between the two sides, dating back to 1974, represents a leading model of Arab cooperation built on trust and shared vision.
He added that ADFD will continue to work with the Jordanian government to translate its development priorities into long term projects and programmes that enhance competitiveness and sustainable development.
//Petra// HA
