Amman: 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 delegation during an official visit to Jordan.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting culminated in the signing of a USD300 million financing agreement aimed at bolstering Jordan's general budget, alongside a USD40 million contract dedicated to the construction and equipping of several public vocational and technical schools, courtesy of an ADFD grant. Toukan represented the Government of Jordan in signing the budget support agreement, while Suwaidi signed on behalf of ADFD.
In addition, a USD40 million contract was inked to establish and furnish five vocational and technical schools adhering to top-tier standards. This agreement was signed by Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Azmi Mahafzah for the Jordanian government and by Ahmed Shamsi, CEO of Trojan Holding, the contracting entity.
The project is a component of the government's Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) and benefits from grants outlined in a memorandum of understanding between Jordan and ADFD, concluded at the end of 2023. It aims to bolster the vocational and technical education sector and supply the labor market with skilled talent across economic fields.
Toukan emphasized that these agreements underscore the deep strategic ties between Jordan and the UAE and highlight ADFD's pivotal role as a partner in supporting Jordan's development initiatives for over five decades. She noted that the Fund's support to Jordan in the past five years nears USD1 billion, reinforcing the priorities of the EMV and sustainable development in the Kingdom.
Suwaidi, on his part, asserted that the agreement reflects the Fund's dedication to aiding Jordan's efforts in achieving economic stability and sustainable growth. He emphasized that the strategic relationship, dating back to 1974, exemplifies a model of Arab cooperation based on trust and a shared vision. Suwaidi further stated that ADFD will persist in collaborating with the Jordanian government to translate its development priorities into long-term projects and programs that enhance competitiveness and sustainable development.