Jordan Times
Monday, February 12, 2007
World Bank extends $56 million loan to assist financing tourism project
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on
Sunday briefed a delegation from the World Bank on the government’s efforts to
achieve political and economic reform.
The prime minister described the country’s economic performance as extremely
positive but also pointed to the country’s major problems of water and energy.
The country will deal with the two main issues through a group of projects,
which will require assistance from the World Bank, Bakhit told the delegation.
The head of the delegation commended the country’s economic performance and
expressed the bank’s readiness to develop ways to help the country overcome
difficulties in the sectors of water and energy.
During the meeting, attended by Planning and International Cooperation Minister
Suhair Al-Ali, the prime minister highlighted legislation adopted to boost
democracy and transparency as well as empower women.
Al-Ali met earlier Sunday with the visiting World Bank delegation headed by
World Bank Managing Director Juan Jose Daboub.
Both sides discussed existing World Bank programmes and missions as well as
further cooperation possibilities between Jordan and the bank.
During the meeting, Al-Ali urged World Bank’s assistance to expedite Jordan’s
establishment of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF), as well
as technical missions in the energy sector in addition to Political Risk
Guarantees to support energy projects in Jordan.
Al-Ali also called for additional grant and technical assistance from the World
Bank to the country, particularly in the areas of monitoring and evaluation of
social and economic plans and programmes.
The visiting delegation reaffirmed the World Bank’s willingness to provide
Jordan with all means of financial and technical support, while commending the
country’s significant achievements on all levels.
Following the meeting, a World Bank loan agreement worth $56 million was signed
by Al-Ali and Daboub to assist in the implementation of the Cultural Heritage,
Tourism and Urban Development Project (the Third Tourism Project).
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Osama Dabbas attended the signing ceremony.
The Third Tourism project aims to revive the social, economic and cultural role
of the five cities of Jerash, Salt, Al Karak, Madaba and Ajloun through
enhancing urban development, as well as the implementation of the Petra Gate
Project which aims to construct a visitors’ centre that parallels the site’s
cultural demeanor.
The project’s four main components include developing the urban infrastructure
of the five intended cities, economic development through providing grants to
improve income-generating businesses and enterprises, providing technical
assistance and necessary training as well as enhancing the capacities of the
included municipalities.
The Jordanian government will jointly finance the project with the World Bank,
where the bank will secure 80 per cent of the value, while the government will
secure the remaining 20 per cent.
The initial estimate of the project’s cost stands at JD50 million with an
implementation period of five years, starting from March 31, 2007 till March 31,
2012.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities will implement the project and will
carry the responsibility for ensuring that the project meets its intended
objectives.