Amman, Dec 22 (IANS/WAM) Japan has signed an agreement for a $254 million grant to Jordan to enhance its financial situation and support development policies to reform public services in the country.

The grant, to be extended through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will go towards supporting the Jordan government's "financial sector, business environment and public service reform policy".

Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury signed the agreement with Japanese Ambassador Shuichi Sakurai, and the chief representative of the JICA.

Fakhoury said the grant is the third to be extended by Japan. It supports the general budget in order to address challenges faced by the kingdom due to the influx of a large number of Syrian refugees.

According to official figures, Jordan has received assistance from Japan totalling $1.021 billion since 1999, $491.2 million of which has been in the form of grants, and the rest as soft loans.