Ammon News - Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud today highlighted the strategic importance of a newly approved financing agreement with the Italian government, through the Italian Development Bank, for Jordan's national water carrier project. The Cabinet's decision earlier today secured a EUR 50 million soft loan and a EUR 2 million grant for the vital initiative.

Minister Abu Saud characterized the agreement as a significant milestone in consolidating international support for this critical national infrastructure endeavor. He directly linked this achievement to the successful diplomatic initiatives undertaken by His Majesty King Abdullah II during his recent engagements with the European Union.

"The Cabinet's endorsement of this agreement is a tangible manifestation of the fruitful outcomes of His Majesty's dedicated efforts to forge international partnerships in support of this project," Minister Abu Saud affirmed.

He stressed that securing the necessary financial resources remains a paramount objective for the government, in alignment with Royal directives, and that this new funding will expedite the project's implementation schedule.

The national water carrier project, identified as a foremost infrastructure priority, is designed to mitigate the Kingdom's severe water deficit by providing 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, adhering to stringent international standards. Minister Abu Saud reiterated the indispensable role of international collaboration in ensuring the project's long-term viability and successful execution.

He further elaborated that the initiative is anticipated to yield substantial improvements in potable water distribution nationwide, thereby addressing the requirements of approximately 4 million inhabitants.

Critically, the project will also serve to reduce the strain on Jordan's over-utilized groundwater reserves, enabling the gradual replenishment of aquifers over the next decade to fifteen years. Furthermore, the project is expected to contribute to a reduction in non-revenue water and enhance the nation's resilience to the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Petra