Amman — Marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation with Jordan, the German Development Bank KfW announced on Tuesday in a press release that more than one billion euros have been committed over this period to a wide variety of different projects and programmes.

Saleh Kharabsheh, secretary general of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, said in the press statement: “Jordan has benefitted a great deal not only from the financial support but also from Germany´s knowledge and ingenuity.”

Since 1961 KfW Entwicklungsbank committed more than 20 million euros to Aqaba Port. Within five decades, the support Germany extended to Jordan via KfW Entwicklungsbank touched nearly every sector.

“Next to transport and infrastructure there has always been concern for education, poverty reduction and a whole range of other development issues,” the press release indicated.

About ten years ago, KfW — in line with the German government’s policy — put a special emphasis on water and sanitation. Of the 300 million euros comprising the current KfW portfolio in Jordan, about 250 million euros are dedicated to water related development efforts.

Right now the German Development Bank is investing 40 million euros in an extensive school construction programme.

After finalisation of the project, 650 new classrooms will serve more than 20,000 students, mainly in poor areas.