Jordan’s lower house of parliament has given the green light for a 2015 austerity budget, trimming the deficit to JD468mn ($660mn) from JD688mn ($970mn) in an earlier draft, at the recommendation of the house financial committee. The deficit forecast in the 2015 budget is some 49% lower in nominal terms than the 2014 budget figure of JD911mn ($1,284mn).

Jordan’s finance ministry says the actual deficit was JD900mn ($1,269mn) for January-November 2014. (CONTINUED - 726 WORDS)