Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Monday signed a €45 million soft loan deal with the French government to fund a project by the Jordan Water Company, Miyahuna, to restore the water network in the Greater Amman Municipality before pumping from the southern Disi aquifers begins in mid-2013.

The project involves building additional water lines and replacing meters to deal with low flow water supply and ensure a regular supply to all citizens as well as raise the network's efficiency and reduce the amount of lost water.

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan, who signed the deal with French ambassador Corinne Breuze, thanked France for its continued support of Jordan through grants, soft loans and technical assistance to fund projects in vital water and energy sectors.

He said such projects would have a major impact by providing water to a large segment of citizens, adding that Jordan will pay back the loan over a period of 15 years with a 6-year grace period at an annual interest of 0.05% on the overall loan.