
Jordan secures over $2bln for development projects — ministry
According to a government performance report released by the Ministry of Government Communication, the financing agreements were finalised in April with major international partners, including the World Bank, Germany's KfW Development Bank, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD).
The funds are intended to support Jordan's economic modernisation programme, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen social safety nets, the ministry said.
Agreements signed with the World Bank total $1.1 billion and target initiatives that stimulate economic growth, promote start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expand social protection, and improve the reliability of the Kingdom's electricity supply, Al Mamlaka TV reported.
A key component includes a $400 million Development Policy Loan aimed at improving competitiveness, boosting exports, and increasing employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women. Another $400 million will support the Resilient and Sustainable Social Protection Programme, designed to strengthen the country's response to economic shocks and protect vulnerable populations.
Additionally, the second phase of the Jordan Entrepreneurship Fund, with a $50 million investment, will support high-growth start-ups in sectors such as ICT, fintech, green tech, and health tech. A further $250 million is allocated to enhance the efficiency and financial sustainability of the electricity sector, part of Jordan's transition to cleaner energy sources.
The ministry also signed a 200 million euro ($215 million) loan agreement with KfW to support the Kingdom's economic modernisation vision. The German development bank described the funding as 'unconditional financial credit' offered at a pivotal time for Jordan's reform agenda.
In a bid to bolster water security, The Netherlands committed 31 million euros ($33 million) in grant funding for the National Water Carrier Project, which aims to desalinate 300 million cubic metres of water annually. The project is expected to serve nearly four million residents and address worsening climate-related water shortages.
Meanwhile, Jordan launched a new five-year Country Partnership Strategy (2025–2029) with the AFESD, valued at $690 million. The strategic partnership will prioritise investments in water and energy infrastructure, vocational training, and private sector development.
The Kingdom secured a $65 million soft loan to finance the development of the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah LNG Port.
© Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: DP World to upgrade, operate Syria's Port of Tartus in $800-million, 30-year deal
DP World has signed a landmark 30-year concession agreement with Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of Tartus. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Under the deal, DP World will invest $800 million throughout the concession period to upgrade the port's infrastructure, aiming to transform it into a major regional trade hub. The enhanced Port of Tartus will serve as a key gateway linking Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, boosting connectivity and regional commerce. "This agreement marks an important step forward for the Port of Tartus and Syria's maritime sector," said Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, chairman of Syria's General Authority for Land and Maritime Ports. "Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernise and strengthen the efficiency of our trade infrastructure as we continue to rebuild key trade lanes, support the national economy, and provide more opportunities for the Syrian people," he added. Meanwhile, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and Group CEO of DP World, said that they see strong potential in Tartus to serve as a vital trade gateway. "(We) look forward to strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity through this investment. We believe in the power of trade to help drive long-term stability and prosperity for Syria and the region," said Sultan. The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on May 16 between the two sides after the lifting of US sanctions paved the way for the investment. The MoU outlined plans to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartus, with cooperation on establishing industrial and free trade zones. DP World is a subsidiary of the UAE investment company Dubai World. Syria is seeking to attract foreign investments to boost its struggling economy, and the deal was signed in the same week that US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift of sanctions on Syria during a visit to Riyadh.


Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai awards $172m contract to ease traffic near DIFC and DWTC with new bridges, tunnels and roads
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major AED 633m ($172m) contract to upgrade Al Mustaqbal Street as part of its ambitious plan to enhance urban mobility, support economic growth, and boost quality of life across the emirate. The Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project will stretch from Za'abeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street and includes the construction of new tunnels and a bridge totalling 1.7km, plus a full street widening to four lanes in each direction. The upgrade will increase capacity by 33 per cent—handling up to 8,800 vehicles per hour—and slash travel times from 13 minutes to just 6. Al Mustaqbal Street in Dubai upgrades Three tunnels (1.2km total) A three-lane tunnel toward Deira (4,500 vehicles/hour) A two-lane bi-directional tunnel serving traffic between Deira and Jebel Ali (3,000 vehicles/hour) A single-lane tunnel for One Central access (1,500 vehicles/hour) Bridge construction A 450m, two-lane bridge from DWTC to Za'abeel Palace Street Five additional bridges (5km total) connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with other major roads Street widening Al Mustaqbal Street expanded over 3.5km from three to four lanes per direction Intersections and ramps Free-flowing ramps at Exhibition and Trade Centre Streets Surface-level conversion of Trade Centre Roundabout to improve flow to Sheikh Zayed Road and 2nd December Street Pedestrian and cycling upgrades Pedestrian bridge over Al Sukook Street Dedicated cycling tracks and upgraded walkways Decorative lighting and urban spaces for community use The initiative will significantly enhance access to and from key commercial and financial districts such as the Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Za'abeel. RTA estimates the improvements will benefit approximately 500,000 residents and visitors. Linked and parallel projects Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets upgrade (ongoing): 4.3km of bridges, 14km of roads, serving more than 420,000 residents by 2030. Expected to cut travel time by 50 per cent Al Khail Road development (recently completed): 3.3km of new bridges and 6.8km of road widening. Reduced travel times by 30 per cent and added 19,600 vehicles/hour capacity #RTA has awarded the contract for the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which forms part of a broader project that includes the development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, one of Dubai's critical intersections linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five major arterial roads. The… — RTA (@rta_dubai) July 13, 2025 Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said: 'Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project forms part of a broader project that includes the development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, with construction works having commenced in the last quarter of last year. 'The project will serve several key commercial, residential, and development zones, most notably the Dubai World Trade Centre, which has been the region's premier venue for international events and exhibitions for over four decades. 'It hosts major global exhibitions and conferences such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, Gulfood, and the Transport Exhibition, among others. 'The project will also serve Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It will further enhance connectivity to key areas, including Za'abeel, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. 'The project is expected to benefit approximately half a million residents and visitors'.


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Saudi Arabia allows Gulf residents to invest in Tadawul stock market
Saudi Arabia has opened its stock exchange to residents of Gulf countries, who are now allowed to invest directly in the kingdom's main Tadawul market. This move is expected to help attract more foreign direct investment into the Arab world's largest bourse. The approved amendments also allow individual foreign investors who previously resided in Saudi Arabia or other countries Gulf countries to continue investing in listed equities on Tadawul even after their residency expires, the market regulator, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) said. 'This step enhances the market's international openness and simultaneously builds a long-term investment relationship with broader segments of investors worldwide, within a more flexible and attractive regulatory environment,' Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, chairman of the CMA, said in a post on social media platform X. Previously, Saudi investment by residents of the six-member economic bloc of the Gulf Co-operation Council was limited to the debt market, the parallel market 'Nomu', investment funds, and the derivatives market. Their ability to trade in the main market was 'limited to swap agreements as ultimate beneficiaries through capital market institutions or as clients of these institutions, where investment decisions are made on their behalf', the CMA said. The new measures come as Saudi Arabia continues to open its economy to foreign investors as part of its Vision 2030 programme. Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 programme in 2016 to diversify its economy away from oil, support private-sector growth, improve female workforce participation and reduce unemployment among citizens. In recent years, the kingdom has introduced new laws, including companies law and civil transactions law, to attract more foreign investment. Last week, it also updated its rules to allow foreigners to buy property in specific zones in Riyadh and Jeddah, with 'special requirements' for home ownership in Makkah and Madinah. Development of the kingdom's financial markets is also a central plank of the kingdom's economic overhaul and CMA, like its peers in the other GCC markets, is consistently updating regulations to make capital markets more attractive to local, regional and foreign investors. Separately, Kuwait on Sunday announced it will start listing and trading of exchange-traded funds, sukuk and bonds on the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 2025, Reuters reported quoting Boursa Kuwait chief executive Mohammed Saud Al-Osaimi. Stock markets in Saudi Arabia and across the gulf region have also seen a surge in initial public offerings amid growing investor demand over the past few years. Last year, the kingdom led the Gulf region in IPO volumes with 15 listings on Tadawul and 27 share offerings on the Nomu market, raising more than $4.3 billion, according to a recent PwC report. Markets in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait also maintained robust IPO momentum last year.