Planning Ministry calls for int'l support for National Water Carrier Project

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nasser Shraideh on Tuesday emphasised the importance of providing concessional funding for the National Water Carrier Project. 

The Aqaba-Amman desalination and water transport project, with a capital value of $2.5 billion, will be fully implemented on Jordanian soil to provide some 300 million cubic metres of desalinated water a year.

During a coordination meeting with international financial institutions and funds to attract international support and figure out the best funding options, Shraideh said that the provision of concessional funding for the project will help cut the total cost, which will provide citizens and economic sectors with water at a reasonable price.

Shraideh also familiarised the group with the terms of reference for the national carrier project, notably the government's financial contribution, guarantees, and customs and tax exemptions, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

Briefing the gathering on the Kingdom’s water challenges linked to the refugee crisis, climate change, population growth and the sectors’ needs, the minister emphasised that the project is regarded as the most important national investment in the economic priorities programme for 2021-2023.

He also expressed appreciation for all the countries supporting the Kingdom, particularly the US, which has offered financial and technical support for this project since the initiation stage. He also thanked the European Investment Bank for its contributions in the preparation of the project’s environmental studies.

A conference is scheduled for the end of March to share donors’ commitments.

The meeting was also attended by the ministers of water and finance, in addition to the secretary general of the ministry of energy and CEOs of international financing institutions and funds.