AMMAN — A programme for government leadership was launched on Tuesday in conjunction with the Kingdom's celebrations of Independence Day, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Public Sector Development in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Deputising for the Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Minister of ICT and Public Sector Development Majd Shweikeh attended the launch ceremony and stressed that the programme is aimed at providing a pool of qualified government leaders capable of assuming leadership positions in the public sector departments and institutions to bring about change and development, especially at the level of government services provided to citizens or in stimulating economic growth in different sectors.

Shweikeh pointed out that 50 trainees were selected from 21 government institutions and departments related to the service of economic activity registration to participate in two programmes.

She added that the selection process followed a transparent, scientific and non-traditional mechanism based on submitting applications by the candidates of the supervisory and leadership category, in addition to reviewing these applications by a neutral committee and subjecting the applicants for examinations and interviews.

Shweikeh explained that during the coming period, the participants will be reintegrated by setting out the foundations and mechanisms to re-engage them in their departments in the public sector, in order to benefit from the training they received. The coming period will witness a new start for the role of the Institute of Public Administration as a centre for preparing future leaders in the government apparatus, the minister noted.