The United Arab Emirates will invest $2.3 billion, AFP reported.
According to an official source, the project aims to increase the kingdom's export capacity.
The Emirates' investment will "link the port of Aqaba (328 km south of Amman) with the mining areas of Shidiya (in Ma'an governorate, 212 km south of Amman) and Ghor al-Safi (in Karak governorate, 118 km south of Amman)," Jordanian Prime Minister Biher al-Hasaouneh was quoted as saying by the official Jordanian news agency Petra.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Aqaba in the presence of Emirati Investment Minister Mohammed Hassan Alsouwaidi, he added that it would take "five years for the railway to start operating effectively, i.e. in 2030".
Meanwhile, he added that the necessary studies will be carried out and tenders will be issued in early 2026.
"The construction of this line will significantly increase our logistics and export capacity, with an initial volume of 16 million tons of phosphate and potash products, including 13 million tons of phosphate and 3 million tons of potash products.
For his part, the Emirati Minister said that "this agreement reflects the Emirates' commitment to our joint efforts to boost economic growth and strengthen the economic sustainability and diversification" of the two countries.
The project is part of a broader investment package worth about $5.5 billion signed by Jordan and the Emirates in late 2023 in the presence of Jordan's King Abdullah II and Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Jordan is one of the largest producers of phosphate and potash in the world.
The kingdom's phosphate reserves are estimated at around 3.7 billion tons, ranking it fifth in the world.
The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company is the world's second largest exporter and sixth largest producer of phosphate.
In 2019, Jordan was ranked seventh in the world for potash production. | BGNES
