AMMAN -- The Executive Development Programme for 2011-2013, currently being discussed by the Council of Ministers, is expected to be adopted by the government before the end of this month, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan said Wednesday.
The Cabinet is carefully reviewing the programme to set the Kingdom's development priorities for the coming three years and to ensure there are no financial shortfalls in implementing these projects, the minister added.
The programme is prepared by the planning ministry to form the basis for the government's 2011 plan and budget. It is the first time a government is adopting this type of process to prepare for its spending needs, according to the official, who made the remarks after signing an agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD), to support the project administration at the prime ministry, which will be tasked with following up on projects.
The one-million-euro grant provided by the AFD will enable the project's management to fulfil its role in the implementation of mega-projects, create coordination between the public and private sectors and attract investments in vital fields.
The agreement was signed yesterday by Hassan and French Ambassador to Jordan Corinne Breuze, as well as AFD Director General Dov Zerah, at a ceremony also attended by Minister of Public Sector Development and Minister of State for Mega-Projects Imad Fakhoury.
"I came here not only to sign the agreement but to stress that France wants to do more to improve many projects in Jordan, particularly in the fields of energy and water," Zerah said.
Fakhoury told reporters that Jordan's main priority areas for large-scale projects are water security, rail transport and nuclear energy, adding that a tender to implement the National Railway Network will be floated by the beginning of next year.
Fakhoury pointed out that the government has completed a draft law for partnership between the public and private sectors that will be presented to the coming Parliament.
Between 2000 and 2010, France has provided $162 million in grants and soft loans to Jordan to support development projects in various sectors including water, local development, energy, environment, education and health, according to the planning ministry.
Also yesterday, the AFD and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) signed a $166 million loan agreement to finance the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
The BRT system is based on premium, high-capacity buses that will travel in completely segregated lanes in a bid to add value to the public transportation system and facilitate movement within the capital, according to GAM.
The BRT line will initially run along Queen Rania Street, with plans to build and operate the BRT on three routes: Mahatta to Sweileh (15km); Muhajireen to Sports City (7km); and Mahatta to Customs Square (nearly 8km).
The municipality started construction on the first phase of the project in June.
Also yesterday, Prime Minster Samir Rifai met with Zerah and highlighted the importance of the loan agreement to finance the BRT project, stressing Jordan's keenness to boost cooperation with France, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
By Omar Obeidat
© Jordan Times 2010
