Ambassador Wooster highlights US-Jordan cooperation in Irbid

AMMAN — US Ambassador Henry T. Wooster on Wednesday visited Irbid’s governor Radwan Otoum, as well as business owners, researchers, students and local leaders to highlight the US-Jordan cooperation on many of the daily challenges facing the people of the northern governorate, according to an embassy statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The ambassador’s meetings included a visit to Wehdeh Dam, the Irbid Chamber of Commerce, the Princess Haya Biotechnology Centre and an Access English class. The visit included conversations on issues such as water security, ways to strengthen Jordan’s economy and build opportunities for Jordanian youth.  

The trip exemplified the strength of the US-Jordan partnership, according to the statement.

During his visit to Irbid, Wooster said: “This has been a challenging year for people everywhere.  Partnerships like the one we have with Jordan and its people help us and our families weather whatever storms we face.” 

“When we work together on common challenges, we all benefit,” Wooster added.  

At Wehdeh Dam, Wooster met with Irbid residents to discuss how the US and Jordan can work together to improve the water situation during the current dry year.  He noted that USAID is conducting joint studies on how the King Abdullah Canal, which carries water from the dam to fields and homes, can be upgraded or improved to stop water loss.  

In Irbid City, Wooster confirmed to members of the Chamber of Industry that the US will continue to work with business owners, especially through the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. He highlighted that more than 70 per cent of annual exports from Irbid go to the US with the help of the free trade agreement. 

During his visit to the Princess Haya Biotechnology Centre, where Jordanian women have played a leading role in the Kingdom’s pandemic response, Wooster praised the centre and similar facilities for showing the potential of Jordan’s workforce.  

He noted that the health and research sectors will continue to play an important role in Jordan’s economy.

At the Irbid Access English class, a US embassy-sponsored after school programme that teaches English to Jordanian youth, students quizzed Wooster in English on his time in Jordan, opportunities for their futures and which Jordanian foods he likes the most.  

The ambassador noted the importance of English for Jordan’s economic development: “Motivated students, like the ones in this Access class, excel not only in the classroom but after they graduate.”

 “I can’t wait to see how they help build the Kingdom’s future,” he added.