Amman, Feb. 23 (Petra) -Jordanian and Japanese governments on Sunday signed memoranda of understanding and a grant agreement worth 1.334 billion Japanese yen (about $8.7 million), provided to the Kingdom to support and implement the project to establish a SCADA water supply system in Ma’an governorate, under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The memoranda were signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan, and Japanese Ambassador to Amman, Asari Hideki.

Meanwhile, the grant agreement was signed by Chief Representative of JICA Jordan, Morihata Shingo, in the presence of Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud.

According to a Ministry of Water statement, the grant contributes to developing the operational and management systems of water supply facilities in Ma’an by installing SCADA systems and rehabilitating facilities, which contributes to enhancing quality of water supply services in the southern governorate and reducing water loss.

Toukan valued Japan’s government and people for their “continuous” support for development priorities within the Economic Modernization Vision, stressing that Jordan attaches “remarkable” importance to its bilateral relations with Japan.

Toukan also noted the two countries’ “deep-rooted and and historic” and their “serious” efforts to strengthen cooperation channels and mechanisms in a number of areas of common interest at various levels.

For his part, the Japanese ambassador affirmed his government’s “commitment” to continue providing various financial and technical support programs to Jordan in various areas of common interest, which contributes to developing strengthening bilateral relations.

The diplomat noted implementation of such programs would contribute to developing the Kingdom’s water sector.

The envoy added that Japan contributes to supporting the Kingdom’s current efforts in the field of economic and political reforms, praising Jordan as a “model” to follow suit in the region in this field.

Shingo stated implementation of the project is “important,” especially since Jordan is “one of the poorest countries in terms of water resources”.

Besides the grant project, he noted JICA is currently implementing a technical cooperation project to enhance capacity of water loss management in the southern governorates, which aims to build capabilities of water engineers and technicians.
//Petra// AG
23/02/2025 17:50:11