Jordan set to achieve key economic update priorities in 2024

Jordan

Published: 2024-04-27 10:58

Last Updated: 2024-05-09 20:23


Photo of the capital Amman
Photo of the capital Amman

In the first quarter of 2024, Jordan's Economic Modernaization Vision outlined several priorities scheduled for completion that year.

According to a progress report, significant steps included the drafting and submission of a study for the expansion of electricity generation to an Independent Verification Agent (IVA), as mandated by a World Bank loan agreement with the Jordanian government.

The draft study was submitted to the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission for final approval, potentially concluding by the end of June 2024, with full achievement anticipated in the second half of the year.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources met with company representatives to discuss extending a Memorandum of Understanding, which expired on Dec. 31, 2023. The company showed no interest in renewing this agreement.

Furthermore, feasibility studies for investing in green methanol production were not completed, despite the company receiving a study on Jordan's carbon sources.

The national strategy was updated, including the final draft of the national action plan for biodiversity. However, there was a delay in receiving feedback from collaborating entities.

The report also confirmed that the tender for expanding refrigerated warehouses at the Al-Jweideh silos complex was awarded and work commenced. No companies came forward in the initial tender, leading to a reissue without any bids.

Expansion efforts for grain container capacity at the Ghabawi site concluded, with the final civil and structural works completed.

In Aqaba, the Customs Center in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (Lot 4) completed all rehabilitation and development works, including electromechanical and building tasks.

Additionally, a study on the total cost implications of land shipping to fuel costs and fee structures was prepared for approval by the specialized committee at the Ministry of Transport.

The economic feasibility study for rehabilitating the existing Hejaz railway line (Amman-Zarqa and towards Queen Alia International Airport) did not proceed in 2023 due to the inability to obtain official approvals needed to finalize the contract signing, as the grantor's implementation period expired. A decision was made to proceed with the project by issuing a tender for the required study, funded by the institution's budget.

The requirements for creating an e-commerce store were outlined to develop Amman's central market.

This included a database of farmers, middlemen, and traded goods, as well as defining the operation of an electronic wallet and the transfer process from producer to consumer.

Due to delays in securing necessary funding and contracting procedures, this priority was projected to be completed in the second half of 2024.

The project for preparing an economic feasibility study for an air freight center at Queen Alia International Airport faced delays in obtaining responses from partners.

The report also noted that the final version of the solar energy project at Queen Alia International Airport was sent to the National Electric Power Company, awaiting approval to commence the signing of the agreement.

 

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