Jordanian PM warns citizens of upcoming difficult economic conditions
Date: 12/05/2012      Time: 08:31:00 PM
 
Prime Minister Fayez Al-Tarawneh, addressing Jordanian citizens Saturday, warned against upcoming difficult economic conditions which would require cutting of subsidiary for basic goods. Tarawneh, in a meeting with editors in chief of local newspapers, columnists and executives of official media, appreciated the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) support for Jordan to facing the harsh economic conditions. He said the Jordanian budget wasin jeopardy with domestic and external debts swelling. Jordan, he said, has so far received USD 18 million in foreign aid out of USD 870 million this year. "Jordan needs the support of treasury more than the backing of projects although they are important," said the prime minister. Tarawneh said his government planned to decrease subsidy, as these measures were important. Minister of finance Sulaiman Al-Hafedh the this year's budget deficit would be USD 4.1 billion excluding aid and grants. He added that combined domestic and external debts would climb to USD 24.7 billion by end of this year. The six GCC countries allocated USD five billion for development projects in Jordan and Morocco, part of partnerships between the two sides.