Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced the completion of the Kufranjah Dam, located north of Jordan’s capital Amman, with a storage capacity of 7.8 million cu m of water.

The Dh103-million ($28 million) dam, funded by the UAE government and managed by ADFD in the Kingdom of Jordan, was officially opened by King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The launch ceremony was attended by Hani Al Mulki, Prime Minister of Jordan, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the director general of ADFD, Bilal Al Bdour, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, and several high-ranking Jordanian officials attended the ceremony.

The development project is in line with the framework of the 2013 UAE government contribution of Dh4.6 billion ($1.25 billion) to the Gulf Development Fund, a five-year grant program of the GCC member countries to finance development projects in Jordan.

The new dam aims to augment the country’s irrigation and drinking water resources and further develop the fertile town of Ajloun.

Lauding the historic ties with Jordan, Al Suwaidi said: "For decades, our two nations have enjoyed strong bilateral ties fostered by the UAE’s founding father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the late King Hussein of Jordan."

"To date, ADFD has successfully funded 31 development projects in Jordan across key socio-economic sectors – most notably health, education, transport, agriculture and energy – valued at Dh5.7 billion. The Fund tailored its approach to match the government of Jordan’s economic expansion strategy," he stated.

Imad N Fakhoury, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, commended the UAE government on its continued support of his country’s key economic sectors through ADFD’s mission that complements the government of Jordan’s efforts for strategic advancement, aggregate economic growth, increased productivity and higher standards of living.

He said the dam will serve Ajloun and the surrounding areas and increase agricultural production an integral sector in Jordan's economy.-TradeArabia News Service