Jordan Times
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Awadallah to hold talks with World Bank officials on financing Jordanian-Iraqi projects
AMMAN (Petra) — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Bassem Awadallah is due to hold talks with a delegation from the World Bank next week on financing Jordanian-Iraqi projects. Awadallah indicated that talks are under way with donor countries, including Japan and the US, to secure the necessary funds to these projects, which are vital to both countries.
According to the minister, the Iraqi priorities were: Rehabilitating border crossing points connecting both countries together particularly Al Karameh point, expanding and rehabilitating Iraq's trade gateway, the Aqaba Port, and the road from Aqaba to Iraq, in addition to future projects like constructing a railway and stretching an oil pipeline.
He stressed that the Ministry of Public Works and Housing had floated a tender to upgrade Al Karameh point and received several offers. The project now is pending needed funds. Awadallah said the European Union provided the Rebuilding Iraq Fund with 300 million euros during the current year and will supply 200 million euros next year.