Ammon News - Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, Governor of Jordan at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and EBRD First Vice President Jurgen Rigterink held a meeting in Amman on economic challenges and areas for support.

In a statement, Shraideh noted on Wednesday the importance of EBRD's support for Jordan's national priorities in the next stage, especially on the project of the National Water and Energy Carrier and projects that support the green economy and address climate change, in addition to the importance of supporting and empowering the private sector.

Shraideh briefed Rigterink on the performance of the national economy in terms of current and expected growth rates and economic and social challenges, including youth unemployment. He explained the impact of hosting Syrian refugees in Jordan and the economic fallout of COVID-19, in addition to the the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its impact on food security and energy prices.

He added that continued cooperation with EBRD is important in light of the challenges that Jordan grapples with.

He said the Bank’s investment portfolio in Jordan has grown to more than €1.2 billion since 2012, as the Bank has worked to finance several projects in renewable energy, pharmaceutical industries, water and wastewater, health and solid waste and the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Shraideh briefed Rigterink about the developments on the National Water Carrier Project (Aqaba-Amman for Desalination and Water Transfer), lauding EBRD on the $200 million grant announced during the pledges conference to support the National Water Carrier Project.