The Commission, on behalf of the EU, has approved the disbursement of a EUR 100 million loan to Jordan under its Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme. The disbursement approved on 17 October marks the launch of the second Macro-Financial Assistance programme for Jordan with a total worth of EUR 200 million, which follows a first package of EUR 180 million approved in 2013 and fully disbursed in 2015. The disbursement of the second EUR 100 million instalment is expected to take place during the course of 2018, depending on Jordan fulfilling agreed commitments. Macro-Financial Assistance to Jordan is intended to strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserve position and to help Jordan meet its balance of payments and budgetary financing needs. The MFA programme will also support reforms in a number of areas, including public finance management, the tax and social safety net systems; education and professional training; and trade policies; as well as active labour market policies aimed at increasing employment opportunities for both Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees living in Jordan.