AMMAN (AFP) – The United States granted on Monday its cash-strapped ally Jordan 411.4 million dollars in aid to help the tiny desert kingdom's “bold” reform plans.

The grants included 261.4 million dollars in regular assistance and 150 million dollars in supplemental aid, bringing the total US economic aid to Jordan in 2009 to 513.5 million dollars, the US embassy said in a statement.
“We are impressed by the commitment of the people and government of Jordan to implement a bold reform and development agenda to improve the lives of Jordanians, especially the poor, young and underprivileged,” U.S. Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft.
The money will help Jordan, which got similar funds last year, increase investment, create jobs, improve water management, boost political development and alleviate poverty.
In February, Washington provided Amman with 100 million dollars, while the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated 2.1 million dollars to support Jordan's health sector.
Jordan is a major beneficiary of U.S. aid having received around six billion dollars since 1952, the embassy said.