grain
 
AMMAN, JORDAN — Jordan has begun building a facility for re-exporting grain, including wheat and barley, to neighboring countries, Mohammad Dardasawi, chief officer of ports development and construction at the Aqaba Development Corp., toldThe Jordan Times.

Construction of the facility is part of a JD30 million (U.S. $42.3 million) project that will include the doubling of storage capacity of Aqaba silos to 200,000 tonnes from 100,000 tonnes, Dardasawi said.

“This is the first time we are building such a facility in Jordan and we are building it upon a request by traders from the private sector as there is an increasing demand from neighboring countries,” Dardasawi told The Jordan Times. “The facility will be used for re-exporting grains to several countries, including Iraq and Syria.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

Additionally, Dardasawi told The Jordan Times that a JD245 million port project is on track to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2018. Four berths already have been completed and are operational, supporting the handling of coal, livestock and grains.

“This project is key to increase the competitiveness of the port and boosting its handling ability, storage and efficiency…,” Dardasawi said. “This project is vital for supporting the economy and the port.”