By : JD
Jordan Daily – The European Union pledged 902.4 million euros in aid to Jordan on Tuesday, including grants and loans to support water, education and private sector projects.
The aid package was announced during a visit by Jordan’s King Abdullah to Brussels, where he met with EU leaders and discussed regional issues.
Four grants worth € 207 million were signed by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi.
Two of the grants, totaling € 97 million , will help fund the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, a strategic initiative for Jordan’s water security.
Another grant of € 65 million will support entrepreneurship and private sector development, aiming to improve the business environment and create jobs for young Jordanians in innovative sectors such as green and digital industries.
The fourth grant of € 45 million will support quality education for Syrian refugees and Jordanian children and youth, providing opportunities for higher education and vocational training.
The rest of the aid, amounting to € 695.4 million , will be signed by the end of 2024 and will be allocated to priority development projects and sector support through the general budget.
This includes €105.4 million in grants for bilateral cooperation and partnership priorities between Jordan and the EU, as well as € 90 million to help the Kingdom cope with the Syrian refugee crisis.
The aid package also includes two development loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The first, worth € 100 million , will also support the water desalination project. The second, worth € 400 million , will fund a program to enhance water security and adapt to climate change.
The aid will be disbursed over a period of 3-4 years based on the work plans of the relevant projects.
