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