Japan will provide Jordan with a budget support soft loan worth approximately $120 million (around JD85 million), according to a statement issued by the Japanese embassy.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the support during the G-8 summit that was held in Northern Ireland.
"This assistance reflects Japan's belief that Jordan indeed plays a pivotal role in the security and stability of the Middle East and emphasises Japan's keenness on continuing its support to Jordan," the statement said.
The loan falls under Japan's "Official Development Assistance" (ODA) and aims at furthering the Kingdom's development and easing the financial burdens resulting from increasing influx of Syrian refugees, which currently numbers over 540,000.
"Last year, and for the first time in 13 years, Japan extended an ODA loan to Jordan in the value of approximately $120 million to develop human resources and improve social infrastructure," the embassy said.
This brings up the total of soft loans from Japan to Jordan in two consecutive years to around $240 million.
Abe also announced $10 million in emergency aid for internally displaced Syrians and Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, the statement said.
Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Japan has extended approximately $90 million for the relief of Syrian people affected by the deteriorating security situation.
Of the $90 million, which also includes the latest grant, $36.97 million was allocated to Jordan, $17.7 million to Syria, $16.54 million to Lebanon, $10.68 million to Turkey and $8 million to Iraq, according to the embassy.
Jordan Times
19 June
