Jordanian ministers meet with Spanish official, sign memorandum

AMMAN — Jordan and Spain on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to boost bilateral economic, financial, and development cooperation.

In a meeting with Spanish Secretary of State for Trade Xiana Mendez, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mary Kawar discussed means to enhance economic and investment cooperation with Spain and reviewed issues of mutual interest, according to a ministry statement.

Kawar stressed the importance of financial support to Jordan, to help it maintain economic resilience and overcome the challenges from the Syrian refugee crisis.

For her part, Mendez said that Spain would support Jordan at the upcoming London conference scheduled for February 28, with the aim of launching partnerships with international businesses and investors.

The Minister of Public Works and Housing Falah Omoush also met with Mendez on Wednesday over means to enhance cooperation between the two kingdoms, specifically in the construction sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Spanish official praised the improvements the Kingdom has witnessed in various sectors, stressing her country’s keenness to develop ties with Jordan.

Water Minister Raed Abul Saud and Mendez also reviewed possible areas of cooperation in the water sector, as well as enhancing cooperation for the supervisory control and data-acquisition (SCADA) system, an electronic water infrastructure administering system.

Mendez expressed the Spanish government’s willingness to finance several projects, valued at 100 million euros, in various sectors.

She added that her government is also ready to finance a SCADA project in the southern governorates at a cost of 8 million euros, after the success of the project in the northern governorates. She also voiced Spain’s readiness to support the Kingdom in implementing the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project.

In October 2017, former water minister Hazem Nasser opened a SCADA centre for the four northern governorates at an estimated cost of 15.4 million euros, which was funded by a grant from Spain.