The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today finished his first visit to Jordan as minister of international development. While there, he had discussions with partners on education, gender equality, human rights, the ongoing refugee crisis, and Canada's support for humanitarian and development activities across the country.
During his visit, Minister Sajjan met with His Royal Highness Hussein BIN ABDULLAH ll, Crown Prince of Jordan; Nasser Shraideh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation; Wajih Owais, Minister of Education; and Ayman Safadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, about Canada's ongoing support for Jordan. He thanked them for all of their efforts to build an inclusive society that includes millions of refugees from across the region. They also spoke about Jordan's effort to build better access to quality education, including technical and vocational training, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and inclusive governance.
While there, Minister Sajjan offered a concessional loan of up to $120 million for Jordan's education sector to help strengthen quality public education for both Jordanians and refugees alike. This loan offer builds on Canada's long-standing support for inclusive education initiatives in Jordan for vulnerable groups, like girls and refugees.
Minister Sajjan also announced $25 million in funding for development programming in the country to support innovative financing, improve women's access to the labour market, ensure children and refugees have access to high-quality education, improve solid waste management, and provide sustainable and inclusive growth among Jordan's small and medium-sized enterprises.
