JD30m grain re-exporting facility to be built in Aqaba

AMMAN — Jordan is building a facility for re-exporting grain, including wheat and barley, to neighbouring countries, the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) said on Saturday.

The facility is being built as part of a JD30 million project already under implementation to double the storage capacity of Aqaba silos, Mohammad Dardasawi, chief officer for ports development and construction at ADC, told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

“This is the first time we are building such a facility in Jordan and we are building it upon a request by traders from the private sector as there is an increasing demand from neighbouring countries. The facility will be used for re-exporting grains to several countries including Iraq and Syria,” Dardasawi added.

Under the project, the storage capacity of the Aqaba silos will be increased from 100k metric tonnes at present to 200k metric tonnes.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, he said.

Meanwhile, a JD245-million Aqaba new port project will be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year, resulting in a logistically served port supported by industries that will help increase the handling volumes and enhance the handling and storage efficiency.

Four berths have been completed and already operational under the new port project and used for handling coal, livestock, grains and others items, according to Dardasawi.

The number of berths will be increased to nine upon the completion of the project by the end of the year as currently there are additional marine works for birth structures to prepare for the creation of the additional five berths, he said.

“This project is key to increase the competitiveness of the port and boosting its handling ability, storage and efficiency… This project is vital for supporting the economy and the port,” he said. 

Work on the administrative buildings, yards and sheds, has been completed, he added.

Dardasawi stressed the importance of the new project that increases reliance on the port as a gateway to neighbouring countries such as Syria and Iraq.

The ADC was launched in 2004 to unlock the potential of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone by accelerating its economic growth and development. 

Launched by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and the government, the ADC owns Aqaba’s seaport, airport and strategic parcels of land, as well as the development and management rights for these assets in addition to key infrastructure and utilities, according to its website.