
Jordan secures over $2bln for development projects — ministry
AMMAN — Jordan has secured more than $2.1 billion in grants and concessional loans to fund a number of high-impact national development projects, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation announced on Monday.
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

Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Mining Minister encourages Industry to Gather at DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi from 11 June
The DRC Minister of Mines, H.E. Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, says he is looking forward to visiting 'the legendary DRC Mining Week,' which is taking place from 11–13 June in Lubumbashi. The organisers of this longstanding expo and conference, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary edition this month, have extended the event until 14 June for the official visit of mining Minister Mulume who will address and engage with delegates during a special ministerial session. Minister Mulume says in a statement: 'I have my ticket for DRC Mining Week, and I am really truly looking forward to experiencing the legendary atmosphere of the event in Lubumbashi, combining straight-talking business discussions with networking and good times. The organisers can be rightfully proud of building such a legacy over 20 years; this is a true testament to their staying power, tenacity and passion for the industry: essential traits for being a good partner in mining. I want to invite anyone who has not yet made plans to travel to Lubumbashi to come out and join the more than 11,500 mining professionals who will be there.' H.E. Kapinga Mulume will deliver the closing remarks during the special ministerial session on 14 June. 20 years of shaping mining in the DRC From its inception, DRC Mining Week has evolved into the largest mining and infrastructure platform in the DRC and the Copperbelt, bringing together over 11,500 attendees from 50+ countries. Under the theme '20 Years of Shaping Mining in the DRC: Investing in Infrastructure Development and Energy Security – Vision 2025–2030,' this landmark edition will highlight the progress made and the opportunities that lie ahead. With mining at the heart of the country's industrialisation, the focus will be on investment, infrastructure development and energy security to drive long-term growth. Longstanding support 'We are always delighted to welcome government luminaries to Lubumbashi; therefore we have added a VIP bonus day to our event on 14 June, in order to ensure that high-level government representatives are able to engage with industry leaders,' says event organiser Samukelo Madlabane, Events Director – Mining for the VUKA Group. 'Particularly in the light of DRC Mining Week 's 20th anniversary, which would not have been possible without the government's invaluable, longstanding support for this event, which has been fostering collaboration and development within the mining sector for over two decades now.' Valuable exposure More than 11,500+ local and international mining professionals are expected at DRC Mining Week this week, promising valuable exposure and potential contacts for participating partners. The event provides a broad spectrum of thought-provoking content and opportunities to meet existing and prospective partners and clients in the mining and extractive sectors, including: Investment Forum; High-level conference sessions, with topics that include: the Mining Roadmap 2025–2030; expert think-tank; market dynamics and price volatility; and positioning DRC as a leading mining country. Countless meeting and networking occasions for 1300+ elite decision-makers, including mining executives and government officials; An expansive expo with 280+ sponsors and exhibitors showcasing the latest and trusted technologies and services for the industry, including country pavilions; US Government Business Forum (invitation only); European Union Business Forum (invitation only); The Ambassador's Forum and networking business lunch (invitation only) Executive Business Forum (strictly by invitation); CEO Roundtable (Strictly by invitation); Value Chain Investment Forum; Regional Development Forum; Women Mine&Leadership Forum—always a hot ticket and an event highlight; Glittering gala dinner (strictly for ticket holders); Kamoa Site Visit (sold out). The packed programme brochure for the 2025 edition of DRC Mining Week is available on the event website. Click here ( Industry support As has become customary for DRC Mining Week, this year too the event boasts broad industry backing and institutional support, including the official partners, the DRC Ministry of Mining and FEC (Federation of Enterprises of Congo). Its main sponsors include Standard Bank as lead sponsors. The diamond plus sponsors are Ecobank, Equity BCDC, Kamoa Copper S.A., Glencore, Kamoto Copper Company S.A. and MUMI. Other mining houses that will be in attendance this year include Barrick, CMOC, ERG Africa, Gecamines, Ivanhoe Mines and MMG. DRC Mining Week dates and venue: Expo and conference: 11–13 June 2025 Farewell lunch on the 14th of June (Strictly by invitation); Location: The Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel, Lubumbashi, DRC Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group. About DRC Mining Week: DRC Mining Week is organised by The VUKA Group (formerly Clarion Events Africa) ( a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum ( Nigeria Mining Week ( Enlit Africa ( Africa's Green Economy Summit ( Smarter Mobility Africa ( ECOM Africa ( and CEM Africa ( Mining Review Africa ( the leading monthly magazine and digital platform in the African mining industry, is the event's premium media partner.


Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa
Consumers across the UAE are calling for more secure and seamless online shopping experiences, according to Visa's latest Checkout Friction Report. Despite the rapid growth of ecommerce and digital adoption in the region, key challenges at the checkout stage continue to hinder consumer satisfaction and business performance. Based on a survey of more than 2,000 online shoppers across the GCC, the report shows that security concerns and complex payment steps are the top barriers to smooth transactions. Online shopping in the UAE In the UAE, 40 per cent of shoppers cite fear of fraud as their biggest concern, while 37 per cent are frustrated by the need to repeatedly enter card details. Shopping frequency is high, with one in three UAE consumers buying groceries online multiple times a week, and categories like fashion, entertainment, and electronics seeing regular purchases monthly. However, friction during checkout can lead to abandoned carts and lost revenue for retailers. Visa's research underscores a growing preference for advanced payment technologies. A significant 67 per cent of UAE shoppers said they would adopt biometric authentication like fingerprint or face ID to check out online. Additionally, 65 per cent support a unified registration process for digital payments across websites. The report also highlights that 82 per cent of consumers would shop online more frequently if one-click checkout options were widely available, and 66 per cent are likely to use Visa's 'Click to Pay with Biometrics' feature. This solution simplifies online shopping by eliminating manual card entry, using secure device-based biometric authentication to speed up and protect the transaction process. Salima Gutieva, Visa's VP and Country Manager for UAE, said: 'Challenges in the online checkout process have direct implications for businesses, resulting in lost revenue, and hampering both customer acquisition and retention. 'Today's consumers expect – and deserve – a more seamless and secure eCommerce experience. That's why Visa is working with partners to enable solutions like Click to Pay, which leverages biometrics and tokenisation to eliminate key pain points and deliver a more convenient shopping experience.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City open retail store at Dubai Mall
Are you a fan of Abu Dhabi-owned English Premier League side Manchester City and want to get your hands on some cool club merchandise, but live in Dubai? Fret not. The 10-time Premier League champions have opened a new store at the Dubai Mall. It marks the second retail store of the 2022-23 Champions League winners after Yas Mall in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. The outlet at Dubai Mall also joins flagship stores Manchester City Stadium Store and Arndale City store in the city of Manchester, England, as well as pop-ups in New York City and Seoul. Fans of the club, kitted by German manufacturer Puma, will have access to merchandise as well as some memorabilia collections. The store at Dubai Mall introduces an updated version of the brand's award-winning 'Field of Play' concept, designed to reflect stadium and fan culture. The Dubai location features elements such as locker-style zones and visuals from iconic Manchester City matches. City, who won four successive Premier League titles in 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24, didn't quite have the season according to the high benchmarks that they set. Nonetheless, The Sky Blues, managed by former FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich tactician Pep Guardiola, finished third in the League behind perennial rivals champions Liverpool and Arsenal.