Shraideh calls on pumping further support to National Water Carrier Project

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nasser Shraideh, whilst attending the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, held several discussions with representatives of international financial institutions to present the latest developments of the National Water Carrier Project.

During the meetings, Shraideh referred to the importance the government places on this vital project, considered a top priority and one of the main national water security factors for realising comprehensive economic development. 

He called on development institutions and partners to provide more funds for this strategic scheme, according to a ministry statement. 

The minister also expressed appreciation to countries and international institutions for their pledges of some $1.8 billion in grants and loans to support the project during a donor conference held by the ministry in March.

Participants in the meeting included representatives from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation (IFC), the French Proparco Foundation, the German Development Bank (KfW), the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the US International Development Finance Corporation.

Throughout the events, Shraideh also met with members of the higher administration of MIGA and agreed to provide guarantees for the project. 

The National Water Carrier Project, whose construction is slated to start in late 2023, will provide about 300 million cubic metres of desalinated water annually to be pumped from Aqaba to Amman and other governorates. The project is scheduled to start operation in 2027, according to the ministry statement.