Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Saud, on Tuesday discussed with the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Gelsomina Vigliotti, cooperation aspects and opportunities to finance Jordan’s water and sanitation projects, and support the sector’s priorities that align with the National Water Strategy (2023-2040) and Economic Modernization Vision (EMV).

According to a ministry statement, Abu Saud stressed the importance of maintaining work with the EIB, which is one of the water sector’s partners in supporting implementation of a number of EMV priorities, the sector’s implemented plans and projects, and enhancing the private sector’s role.

The minister also valued EIB’s efforts and its assistance provided through investment and technical loans and grants that contributed to provide funding to support Jordan’s water and sanitation projects.

Abu Saud lauded the bank’s interest in supporting and financing implementation of “strategic” projects to secure “sustainable” water sources.

For hi
s part, Vigliotti stressed the bank’s understanding of the Kingdom’s needs, especially in the water sector, and its aspiration to achieve further future cooperation and partnership to support a number of water projects of common interest, especially with regard to climate change, and provide “new sustainable” sources that align with the priorities and projects included in the EMV’s executive program.

The EIB has financed a slew of “important” projects in the Kingdom, primarily Disi Water Conveyance Project, Wadi Arab Water Supply System to the northern governorates, support for water resources in Jordan Valley, and water supply and sanitation for Deir Alla and Karameh regions, in addition to the bank’s pledges for the desalination and water transfer project from Aqaba to Amman through the national water carrier, the statement said.

Source: Jordan News Agency