AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday said that the government has completed the key preparatory stages required to launch two of the Kingdom’s largest strategic projects: the National Water Carrier and the Aqaba Port Railway.

 

Speaking during a meeting with media representatives, Hassan said that despite regional challenges, the government is pressing ahead with long-awaited national projects that have been under study for decades.

 

He said that the initiatives constitute the largest volume of foreign investment in Jordan’s history, crediting the sustained efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

 

Hassan said that the National Water Carrier is a cornerstone of Jordan’s drive towards self-reliance, noting that its progress reflects the Kingdom’s strong international standing among donor countries and financial institutions.

 

He said the government will contribute $722 million during the implementation phase, the largest budgetary allocation for a single capital project, while a coalition of Jordanian commercial banks is set to provide up to $1.1 billion in financing.

 

The Social Security Investment Fund will also contribute 15 per cent of the capital as a partner with Meridiam.

 

The project will be accompanied by measures to enhance water security, including reducing water loss, rationalising consumption and adopting new technologies to preserve resources.

 

Hassan said the initiative is expected to drive growth across multiple sectors while strengthening Jordan’s water independence and national security.

 

On the Aqaba Port Railway, Hassan outlined the executive agreement signed last week with the UAE, stemming from a $5.5 billion investment agreement concluded in late 2023 following efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

 

He said the project, part of the Economic Modernisation Vision, is expected to be implemented over five years, with construction set to begin in early 2027 following financial closure.

 

The railway will connect Shidiya to Maan and include the development of a Maan-Aqaba land port, envisioned as a major logistics, customs and industrial hub.

 

Hassan highlighted the project’s long-term regional potential, noting plans to link Aqaba with Mediterranean ports through Syria and Turkey, as well as with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.

 

He added that discussions have already taken place to connect the Omari and Jaber border crossings, reinforcing Jordan’s position as a regional logistics centre.

 

The prime minister stressed that Jordan remains committed to advancing its national projects and strengthening economic resilience despite regional instability.

 

He also pointed to growth indicators, export performance and financial market stability as evidence of a resilient economy, supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies and affirmed by recent IMF and international credit rating reports.