Japan and Jordan have inked agreements on Sunday that grant 1.334 billion Japanese yen (approximately $8.7 million) to fund a SCADA water supply system in Jordan’s Ma’an governorate. The financial support will be channeled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, according to Petra, the Jordan News Agency.
A SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system, which uses sensors and devices to monitor and control water networks, is at the core of the project. The agreements were finalized by Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan, alongside the Japanese ambassador to Amman, Asari Hideki. In a separate ceremony, JICA Jordan’s chief representative, Morihata Shingo, signed another grant agreement in the presence of Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud.
According to a statement from Jordan’s Ministry of Water, the project is expected to enhance the operational and management efficiency of water supply facilities in Ma’an. It will also improve water services in the southern governorate while addressing issues of water loss.
Toukan expressed appreciation for Japan’s ongoing support, highlighting its alignment with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision. She emphasized the strong bilateral relations between Jordan and Japan and their shared commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors, as reported by Petra.
Similarly, Hideki reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Jordan through financial and technical programs, noting that these initiatives will help strengthen the kingdom’s water sector. He also praised Jordan as a regional model for economic and political reforms, Petra added.
Shingo underscored the importance of the project, especially given Jordan’s status as one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. He noted that JICA is also implementing a technical cooperation project aimed at enhancing water-loss management in the southern governorates, with a particular focus on capacity building for engineers and technicians.
