The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has funded the extensive renovation of two grain silos in Jordan’s Juwaideh and Aqaba regions.
The project was carried out to raise the capacity of the Juwaideh silo to 120,000 tonnes, and the Aqaba granary to 100,000 tonnes. The aim was to support the Jordan’s National Food and Security Strategy for 2025.
ADFD financed the $70.5 million (AED258.7 million) projects from a $1.25 million (AED 4.6 billion) grant allocated by the UAE to Jordan as part of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND).
The director-general of ADFD, Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, said: “Our participation in the inauguration of expansion project of Juwaideh and Aqaba granaries reflects the depth of the strategic relations between the UAE and Jordan, as these pioneering projects represent a priority for Jordan’s development programs.”
He pointed out that the two silos with an expanded capacity will enhance boost security and ensure that the country meets its food needs for an increasing population, in addition to keeping food price in check.
“All this will further strengthen Jordan’s economy and support the government’s developmental objectives,” Al Suwaidi added
Economic Impact of the two grain silos
The silos are mainly used to hold essential food grains such as wheat and barley.
The Juwaideh silo store grains in 24 vertical storages. Each main silo has a 5,000-metric-ton capacity. A 1-megawatt solar plant has also been up to supply energy to the granary.
The Aqaba granary has 28 additional vertical warehouses, each with a capacity of about 3,800 tons.
Together the two silos are expected to reduce dependence on food imports, while also generating hundreds of jobs and contributing to Jordan’s economic development.
The revamped granaries were inaugurated by Nasser Al Shuraida, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Acting Minister of Industry and Trade.
The ceremony was attended by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, the director general of ADFD; Dana Al Zoubi, the secretary general of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, and officials from both sides.
Nasser Al Shuraida said that the silos expansion project in Juwaideh and Aqaba underscored the scale of efforts of the UAE’s and ADFD’s support to Jordan over its development programmes.
The general manager of Jordan Soils and Supply General Co, Engineer Imad Ali Al-Tarawneh, said: “The mega projects reflect the vision of the wise leaderships of the two countries and their keenness to strengthen strategic relations to achieve common economic objectives.
“Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s contributions to upgrade the silos will help Jordan to maintain strategic stockpile of food staples, with the quantity being one of the highest in the Arab world. These projects also help meet local market requirements for essential food grains and enhance Jordan’s food security and sustainability.”
Since 1974, ADFD financed development projects worth AED 6.5 billion, mainly in strategic sectors such as energy, transport, water and agriculture, health and education.
These projects supported the Jordanian government to drive socio-economic development in the country.
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