The FINANCIAL — The EBRD and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) are combining forces to transform the capital of Jordan into a smart city.
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 14, both parties agreed to establish a framework for strategic and operational cooperation in Amman for the introduction of solutions to address major environmental, economic and social challenges, according to the EBRD.
Under the agreement, the EBRD and GAM will cooperate to promote sector reforms and develop priority projects to modernise infrastructure and municipal services in Amman. The Jordanian capital has over 4 million inhabitants and hosts around 400, 000 refugees. This is creating an important challenge and putting a strain on the municipal services.
The municipality is planning to introduce smart solutions to improve the quality and sustainability of its services. Investments will work to ease the high burden of traffic congestion in the city and to apply the latest advances in information technology to better serve Amman’s residents.
EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti said: “We are very pleased to contribute to the modernisation of Amman and to help develop innovative solutions which will enhance the quality of services and living of the capital’s population.”
Hazem Neimat, Deputy Mayor of GAM, said: “The Greater Amman Municipality is committed to ensuring the sustainable delivery of municipal services and is keen to adopt pioneering solutions that promote resource efficiency and improve the lives of Amman’s citizens. We are grateful to the EBRD for their ongoing support and for partnering with us in the pursuit of smart solutions.”
Jordan became an EBRD shareholder in 2012 and to date the Bank has committed close to US$ 1 billion across 38 projects in various sectors of the economy, in addition to US$ 180 million of trade-facilitation credit lines with local banks.
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