Amman, July 12 (Petra) — Jordan and Egypt agreed Sunday to deepen
cooperation in the energy and mining sectors through strategic
projects and joint investments aimed at enhancing energy security,
supporting industrial development and advancing Arab economic
integration.

During talks in Amman, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh
Kharabsheh and Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
Karim Badawi agreed to expand the strategic partnership between the
two countries by launching high-value projects and strengthening
collaboration in natural gas, mining, infrastructure and value-added
industries.

The ministers emphasized the need to maximize the economic value of
natural gas by expanding downstream industries, developing integrated
infrastructure and securing advance purchase agreements to ensure the
commercial viability of future investments. They also reviewed ways
to build on the success of the Jordanian-Egyptian Fajr Company for
Natural Gas Transmission and Supply and ongoing cooperation with the
Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), leveraging the two
countries’ advanced gas infrastructure to bolster energy security and
support development projects.

In the mining sector, the two sides discussed developing phosphate
and mineral-based industries, expanding cooperation in exploration
and geological services, and establishing joint ventures across
mining value chains to increase the added value of natural resources
and strengthen the sector’s contribution to economic growth. They
also agreed to encourage partnerships between Jordanian and Egyptian
national companies by combining technical, engineering and
administrative expertise to implement projects in both countries and
expand into regional markets.

Kharabsheh said Jordanian-Egyptian relations represent a leading
model of Arab cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, adding
that recent achievements have laid the groundwork for a new phase of
collaboration centered on strategic projects with sustainable
economic returns, in line with the directives of the leadership in
both countries.

He said the ministry is expanding natural gas distribution to
industrial cities, noting that two agreements with Egyptian companies
are expected to be signed soon to supply gas to industrial projects
in Ma’an and Muwaqqar. Work is also underway to extend gas networks
to Mafraq and Zarqa as part of efforts to increase natural gas use
across Jordan’s industrial sector.

Kharabsheh said Jordan also aims to benefit from Egypt’s expertise in
constructing and operating natural gas networks to reduce energy
costs and improve industrial competitiveness. He highlighted
additional opportunities for cooperation in ammonia and green
hydrogen production, as well as other natural gas-based industries.

Badawi said Egypt’s experience, including the operation of eight
ammonia production plants and the adoption of advanced production
technologies, provides a strong foundation for joint projects with
Jordan.

He said relations between the two countries are built on longstanding
trust and close coordination, praising Jordan’s efforts to develop
its energy infrastructure. He said the next phase of cooperation
would focus on broader collaboration between national companies and
institutions in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors to
strengthen regional energy security and support economic development.

Both sides stressed the importance of translating the strong
bilateral relationship into tangible economic and investment projects
that promote Arab economic integration, expand partnerships between
national institutions, increase intra-Arab trade and joint
investment, and maximize the region’s resources.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish joint technical
working groups to develop implementation mechanisms for projects in
natural gas, mining, value-added industries, infrastructure and
investment partnerships.

//Petra// AJ