PM issues Circular No. 15 to implement State Budget Law

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Tuesday issued Circular No. 15 to implement the State Budget Law and the Government Units Budgets Law for the fiscal year 2021, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The circular included a number of directions, most notably prioritising medical expenditures in light of the spread of COVID-19 and refraining from imposing new taxes or raising already existing ones, Petra reported.

During a press briefing held at the Prime Ministry, Khasawneh noted that upon Royal directives, bonuses will be disbursed to teachers, individuals working in governmental bodies, personnel among the Jordanian Armed Forces and security forces, all according to the provisions of law.

The prime minister added that the 2021 budget will be primarily focused on the recovery of the national economy, expecting the Kingdom's GDP to grow by 2.5 per cent in 2021, 3 per cent in 2022, and 3.1 per cent in 2023.

Urging ministries to cut down public expenditure, Khasawneh tasked ministers to craft detailed budgeting plans for the years 2021-2023, asking them to adhere to the set budget limits and present proposed schemes no later than November 26, 2020.

Khasawneh stressed that the government’s future endeavours aim at running a “reasonable” budget deficit and limiting public debts.