Ghanem says conflict affects trade between Jordan, Syria, Iraq

Hafez Ghanem, World Bank's Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, met with Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki and a number of ministers and officials. After the meeting, Ghanem said that he identified the bank'spriorities with the Jordanian government, which includes the sectors of education, infrastructure, and investment in, and governance and improve government services, and enhancing the business environment for the private sector, and to ensure an effective social safety network.
He explained to the press on the sidelines of his visit to Jordan, that the conflict in the region, had an impact on trade and economic exchanges between Jordan, Syria and Iraq, as low oil prices negatively affecting on the size of investments that come from the Arab Gulf states, and the decline of Jordanian remittances from workers abroad, stressing that Jordan is facing all these challenges, at the same time hosts about 1.4 million Syrian refugees, and therefore the negative effects on employment opportunities for Jordanians and Syrians alike. 
"Jordan is an essential partner for us. The partnership between Jordan and the World Bank is strong and we aim to make it more powerful and strengthen it, and there is a great program, and will be a larger size," stressing that "the World Bank gives funds to middle-income countries with an interest rate of 2.5%, however, Jordan receives this number of refugees and the task of service to the international community, so I have to offer soft loans to Jordan.
He added that the loans provided by the bank include loans and support for water and electricity, Ghanem said, adding that the World Bank's portfolio in Jordan amounts to $750 million, including a project to improve business opportunities and the development of the Qualified Industrial Zones by $300 million.