Jordan: World Bank considers additional financing for project promoting sustainable agriculture
According to data monitored by Al Mamlaka TV on Sunday, the bank indicated that the additional financing is estimated at $179 million to boost the resilience of agriculture and expand innovation and value chains.
The total cost of the programme after the addition of the new funding is about $346.5 million, distributed among financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of $185.6 million, government financing of $106 million.
The total value also includes grants from trust funds with $43.9 million from the concessional financing facility and $9 million from the forced displacement fund, in addition to commercial financing worth $2 million.
The proposed additional funding aims to build on existing institutional arrangements and expand the programme's impact by funding two key areas.
The first is improving rainwater harvesting planning through the national commission using the results of a previous impact assessment, which recommended continuing mapping work, improving governance and coordination, reviewing tender documents, and employing digital technologies in order to expand guidance and training on climate-smart practices.
The second component aims to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-food sector and improve the enabling environment for farmers and the private sector by reducing the risks associated with investing in value chains.
This includes expanding the use of digital technology to access marketing and export promotion services in rural and urban areas, expanding virtual training programmes to develop skills and employment opportunities, especially for women and refugees, reviewing the application of agricultural labour laws.
It also includes improving the regulatory environment and strengthening the capacity of cooperatives, especially farmers' associations, to increase their participation in the country.
This approach comes as part of Jordan's efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive agricultural development that ensures enhancing food security, increasing food exports and creating new job opportunities, especially in rural areas and the most vulnerable groups.
Untapped potential
The World Bank stressed that the Jordanian agricultural sector has 'great' untapped potential that promotes economic growth, creates jobs and enhances food security, as about 25 per cent of low-income people in Jordan depend on agriculture as a source of income.
Although primary agriculture contributed 4.8 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, the broader agri-food sector accounted for 20-25 per cent of the GDP.
According to FAOSTAT data, primary agriculture and the agri-food sector account for 3 per cent and 11 per cent of formal employment respectively, with an additional significant contribution through informal employment.
The World Bank stressed that increased investment in the agri-food sector can stimulate rural job creation both on farms and along the value chain, including processing, packaging, distribution, services and transportation.
© 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
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Stablecoin regulations encourage more users explore digital assets safely
Experts are optimistic the recent signing by US President Donald Trump of the Genius Act — creating a regulatory regime for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies known as stablecoins — will not only give users the confidence to explore digital assets safely but will also draw more users in the UAE, especially newcomers, to crypto by making stablecoins safer and more mainstream for payments and decentralised finance (DeFi). The stablecoin market, which crypto data provider CoinGecko said is valued at more than $260 billion (Dh954 billion), could grow to $2 trillion (Dh7.3 trillion) by 2028 under the new law. It's a milestone that could pave the way for digital assets to become an everyday way to make payments and move money, experts told KT LUXE. The regulatory framework is also seen as a big leap from the time of 'speculative chaos' when stablecoin first came into being back in 2009. The UAE has also moved forward with regulations of AED stablecoins, noted Meera Judge, director, regulatory licensing and policy at Binance. 'When people feel safe, they're more likely to participate. Clear rules create room for innovation — and that's where we see real adoption start to take shape,' she said. Regulations serve as important guardrails, with enhanced transparency serving as the key factor in consumer protection. They build confidence and encourage people who might have been hesitant to explore crypto as a real option for diversifying their finances. In December last year, AE Coin secured the final Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) licence it needed to launch. It was developed under the CBUAE's digital payment token services framework for instant, secure, stable, innovative, low-cost, and efficient payment experience. 'The UAE's AED-backed stablecoin is a really exciting milestone. It shows how seriously the UAE is taking decentralised finance and its future role in global financial innovation. This isn't just about creating another stablecoin, it's a clear signal of the UAE's commitment to building a regulated, forward-thinking crypto ecosystem that can compete on the world stage,' Judge said. A constant Stablecoins are designed to maintain a constant value. For the UAE, its focus on a local fiat-backed stablecoin also reflects a regional ambition to diversify beyond the dominance of the USD stablecoins, which have long been the industry's gateway. This is very positive for the country as it is not only about necessity but also about creating opportunity. Judge explained: 'Local fiat stablecoins (like AE Coin) reinforce the seriousness with which countries are approaching crypto regulation and innovation. They help tailor financial tools to regional needs, supporting local businesses and consumers while promoting financial inclusion. 'Moreover, having a wider range of fiat-backed stablecoins contributes to a more diverse and resilient ecosystem, a key step toward making crypto relevant and accessible to people everywhere, not just in dollar-dominated markets,' Judge added. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, shared the same analysis, and optimism that stablecoins will draw more users, especially newcomers. She told KT LUXE: 'The UAE's AED stablecoin regulations, effective June 2025, focus on local currency stability and centralised oversight by the Central Bank, while the US Genius Act targets USD-pegged stablecoins with a dual federal-state framework. Regional trade 'Both aim to enhance trust and adoption, but the UAE emphasises regional financial sovereignty, unlike the USD-centric US approach. Non-USD stablecoins like AED-backed tokens are crucial for regional trade, reducing USD reliance, and catering to local markets, driving global crypto diversity. Supporting AED stablecoins can attract MENA users, while USD stablecoin compliance ensures broader market access,' Chen explained. She added bank-backed USD and AED stablecoins promise faster, cheaper transactions, boosting liquidity, but may challenge existing tokens like USDT (Tether), increasing compliance costs for exchanges. 'This could lead to market concentration, potentially limiting innovation, while subjecting exchanges to stricter regulatory scrutiny.' Chen also pointed out the entry of major US banks (JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo) and UAE banks (FAB, MBank, Zand Bank) into the stablecoin market will enhance crypto legitimacy, driving adoption and trading volumes on exchanges.
The National
10 hours ago
- The National
How the climate crisis is creating millions of refugees in the Middle East
• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain • UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister • Could the UAE drive India's economy? • News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it • Architecture is over - here's cybertecture • The National announces Future of News journalism competition • Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia publishes new law allowing foreigners to own property
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially published the full details of its new law regulating real estate ownership by non-Saudis, following Cabinet approval earlier this month. The comprehensive law, released in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura on Friday, will take effect 180 days from publication and marks a major overhaul in the Kingdom's approach to foreign ownership of property. The new system grants non-Saudis — including individuals, companies, and non-profit entities — the right to own property or obtain other real rights over real estate within designated geographic zones to be determined by the Cabinet. These rights include usufruct (beneficial use), leaseholds, and other real estate interests, but will be subject to a range of controls and restrictions based on location, property type, and usage. The law preserves all real estate rights that were legally established for non-Saudis prior to the new regulation taking effect. However, it clearly states that ownership remains prohibited in certain locations and regions, notably in Makkah and Madinah, except under conditions for individual Muslim owners. A key provision in the law requires the Council of Ministers — upon a proposal by the Real Estate General Authority and with the approval of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs — to define the allowable zones for foreign ownership and set upper limits on ownership percentages and durations for usufruct rights. Foreign individuals legally residing in Saudi Arabia may own one residential property outside restricted areas for personal housing purposes. This does not apply to Makkah and Madinah. The regulation also includes provisions for corporate ownership. Non-listed companies with foreign shareholders, as well as investment funds and licensed special-purpose entities, will be permitted to acquire real estate throughout the Kingdom, including in Makkah and Madinah, provided the ownership supports operational needs or employee housing. Listed companies and investment vehicles may also acquire property in line with Saudi financial market regulations. Diplomatic missions and international organizations can also own premises for official use and residence of their representatives, subject to Foreign Ministry approval and reciprocity conditions. To ensure compliance, non-Saudi entities must register with the competent authority before acquiring property. Ownership or real rights become valid only after formal registration in the national real estate registry. The law introduces a real estate transfer fee of up to 5% for transactions involving non-Saudis, and outlines a penalty framework for violations. Sanctions include fines up to SR10 million and, in severe cases such as falsified information, the forced sale of the property with proceeds remitted to the state after deductions. A dedicated committee under the Real Estate General Authority will be formed to investigate violations and impose penalties. Decisions of this committee can be appealed to the administrative courts within 60 days. Additionally, the law repeals a prior rule that prohibited GCC citizens from owning property in Makkah and Madinah, effectively standardizing rules for all non-Saudi entities under a single framework. The executive regulations, which will detail implementation mechanisms and specify geographic boundaries and conditions, are expected to be issued within six months. The new law replaces the previous foreign property ownership legislation issued under Royal Decree No. M/15 in 2000. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
