PM, WBG President talk economic cooperation

Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh received Sunday World Bank Group President David Malpass and a number of the bank’s senior officials to discuss their partnership and economic cooperation.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that Jordan is looking to strengthen the strategic partnership with the World Bank to support the government’s efforts to achieve economic recovery and sustainable economic growth.

Khasawneh pointed to the importance of the bank’s support to Jordan, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that this support enabled the government to provide programs for economic and social protection, create jobs for Jordanians and move forward with economic and structural reforms to enhance financial and monetary stability.

The premier also underlined the importance of boosting cooperation to stimulate investment and support partnership projects between the public and private sectors through the bank’s International Finance Corporation.

The government, he stated, is working to attract more local and foreign investments, which could potentially resolve economic challenges and provide job opportunities for Jordanian youth, highlighting some government measures to make facilitations for investors.

Khasawneh reviewed the economic challenges facing Jordan, including the COVID-19 fallout, the regional situation, and hosting about 1.3 million Syrian refugees, pointing out the burden on the education, health, water and employment areas.

Malpass highlighted the partnership between the bank and Jordan, commending the Kingdom’s reform efforts. He also underlined the bank’s commitment to cooperating with Jordan to overcome economic challenges.

“These are difficult times for the global economy, which is witnessing a slow growth as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” Malpass said. Jordan has potential in various sectors, including communications and tourism, as well as the efficiency to make gains at the level of government and the business environment, he pointed out.

On economic growth, Malpass indicated that growth in 2021 was weak, however he remained hopeful for 2022 depending on the next steps taken. He said that youth and unemployment are the most prominent challenges, which require attracting more foreign investments that create job opportunities and contribute to economic growth rates.

Source: jordan News Agency

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