AMMAN - (August 20, 2002) Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) and the Ministry of Planning of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan entered into a grant agreement to fund technical assistance in planning for the liberalization of Jordan's fixed-line telecommunications services. U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, Edward Gnehm, signed the $417,252 grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government. The Jordanian Minister of Planning, His Excellency Dr. Bassem Awadallah, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the Jordanian Government in the presence of the Jordanian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, His Excellency Dr. Fawaz Zu'bi.

The expiration of Jordan's exclusivity period for its fixed-line telephone service is December 31, 2004. The TDA grant will provide funding for a U.S. technical team to assist the Ministry of Information and Communication in a full assessment of the current economic, financial and regulatory conditions of the telecom market in Jordan. The team will also provide recommendations to the Ministry for a transition strategy. Fixed-line liberalization was a major commitment made by Jordan in joining the World Trade Organization and in its Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation in developing and middle-income countries, with special emphasis on economic sectors that represent significant U.S. export potential. By funding various forms of technical assistance, training grants, feasibility studies, orientation visits, and business workshops, TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. Government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world.

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