Ammon – The economist, Hossam Ayesh, said that Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh’s directive to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain a new national program for economic reform is expected and not surprising.
Ayesh added to Ammon that the previous programs with the International Monetary Fund did not lead to achieving the results announced by the government, which increased pressure to obtain a new financing program from the Fund.
He warned that failure to achieve the goals that are set in each new economic program from the International Monetary Fund keeps Jordan in the same circle, which is the constant need for external support and aid.
Ayesh attributed the reason for the failure of previous programs with the International Monetary Fund to many indicators that are actually on the ground, foremost of which is the continued increase in Jordanian indebtedness, in addition to the increase in the budget deficit and the rise in unemployment rates.
He pointed out that the World Bank indicated that a third of Jordanians, or about 35% of them, are at risk of poverty, and in conclusion, all indicators of the economic process indicate that the economic programs with the IMF did not achieve their goals.
He also warned that the government’s embarking on any new program with the International Monetary Fund must be matched by a serious government endeavor to meet the value of these loans and aid and return them and not accumulate them, because failure to do so keeps the matter as it is.
He added that the government is now under test to achieve its promised expected economic reforms, especially with a general review of economic modernization and the government’s plan in the coming years for economic advancement.
The Prime Minister had directed the government to work on continuing constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund within the framework of the existing program developed by the relevant Jordanian ministries and institutions, which ends in March of next year.
He also directed negotiation with the International Monetary Fund on a new national program for economic reform, supported by the Fund, in a way that contributes to strengthening the strength of the national economy, meeting financing requirements and promoting growth.