A loan for Jordan to build al-Yarmouk dam

A Jordanian official source said on Thursday that the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development has granted Amman a loan estimated at US $115 million to build the dam which will contribute to increase water in the country which suffers from a water shortage.

The sources stated that the fund will contribute to building the joint al-Wahda dam between Jordan and Syria on al-Yarmouk river from which the two countries will benefit from and on which construction works will start in July, 2000 and are expected to last for three years.

The Jordanian dailies quoted Jordanian Minister of Water Kamel Mahadeen as saying that the dam will ensure water reserves of 225 million cubic meters and will help Syria have electricity supplies.

The Jordanian dailies added that donating Arab sides will take part in financing the construction of the dam, whose costs are expected to reach US $205 million.