IMF welcomes Jordan's call for national dialogue

WASHINGTON, June 7 (KUNA) -- The International Monetary Fund welcomed on Thursday Jordan's King Abdullah call for a "national dialogue" to address economic challenges as a "very positive step forward." The IMF's spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters in Washington the IMF will work with Jordan to complete a review of the country's IMF loan program as quickly as possible to release another USD 70 million to Jordan.
The IMF is "following closely the situation in Jordan and the government's efforts to tackle the country's difficult economic challenges. In this regard, we welcome King Abdullah's recent call for a national dialogue as a very positive step forward," Rice said.
The IMF team held productive discussions with Jordanian authorities in Amman on the country's policies and planned reforms to strengthen inclusive growth and significant progress was made towards recommending to the Executive Board the completion of the second review of the IMF-supported programs.
"This would make available to Jordan around USD 70 million, additional to the almost USD 1.2 billion already provided since 2012," Rice said.
"Our discussions included tax reforms aimed at securing resources to meet urgent spending needs including on security, health, and education--while ensuring a fair sharing of the burden of adjustment," Rice said.
Rice also called on the international donor community to take a stronger role in supporting Jordan as it struggles with fiscal strains caused by taking over 1 million Syrian refugees and higher security costs, all of which have placed extraordinary strains on its public finances.
"That is why the IMF has repeatedly urged the international community to help Jordan with much-needed increased financial support, preferably in the form of grants," he said.
The IMF remains committed to supporting Jordan and its people, Rice said "We look forward to continuing our discussions with the new government with a view to presenting the second review of Jordan's economic reform program to our Executive Board as soon as possible." (end) hy.mb