Rail operator will undertake the design, construction, and operation of a railway line in Jordan
The Ministry of Investment of the UAE and the Ministry of Investment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have signed an Investment Memorandum, to establish a framework for cooperation in the railway sector.
The memorandum aims to enhance capabilities and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, skills, and technical expertise between the two countries.
As part of the cooperation between the two ministries, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Railway Network, signed an agreement with the Jordanian Ministry of Transport to facilitate the implementation of railway projects in Jordan, with the aim of building, developing, and operating a Jordanian railway network spanning 360km linking phosphate and potash mines to the Port of Aqaba.
Furthermore, the company signed two additional MoUs with the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company and Arab Potash Company to transport 16mn tonnes of phosphate and potash annually from mining sites to the Port of Aqaba via the Jordanian railway network.
Promising opportunities
“We aim to establish new economic and investment connections that support infrastructure development and foster promising opportunities, all within the framework of our vision to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic growth,” stated HE Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, UAE.
The Emirati investment agreements were valued at US$ 2.3bn to connect the Port of Aqaba with the mining areas in Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi.
“The agreements and MoUs signed by Etihad Rail reinforce our ongoing commitment to strengthening our presence in the region. This aligns with the strong and cooperative relationship between our two nations, particularly in the implementation of joint projects in the transport and infrastructure sectors, which are mutually beneficial to our nations,” commented Shadi Malak, CEO, Etihad Rail.
