Chinese Government provides RMB 75 million grant for Phase 1 of Russaifah Water Network Reconstruction Project (Linked to Record ID#41242 and ID#64723)

Project narrative

On March 18, 2007, China's Ambassador to Jordan, Gong Xiaosheng, and Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Suhair Al Ali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding a potential RMB 50 million grant for Phase 1 of the Russaifah Water Network Reconstruction Project. However, in April 2009, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a contract to Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group worth RMB 75 million for the implementation of this project. The grant proceeds that were used to finance this contract were reportedly drawn from three different Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreements (ETCAs) that the Chinese Government and the Government of Jordan previously signed: one in June 2004, another in June 2005, and a third in November 2011. This project involved the construction or reconstruction of nearly 150 km of water supply pipes — including 17.38 km of water distribution main pipes, 88.01 km of water distribution branch pipes, and 44.94 km of hospital inlet pipes — in Russaifiah (Russeifa or لواء الرصيفة) District within Jordan’s northeastern Zarqa Governorate. Its ultimate purpose was to improve the provision of potable water and the living standards of 70,000 residents in Russaifiah District. Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group was the contractor responsible for implementation. A formal groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 14, 2010. However, project implementation did not begin until May 20, 2010. MOFCOM conducted a mid-term project inspection in August 2011. The project was ultimately completed on 2012. According to Jordan's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the Chinese Government ultimately disbursed $7.5 million support of this project. The Chinese Government also funded Phase 2 of the Russaifah Water Network Reconstruction Project (see Record ID#64723).