His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Dr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, have witnessed the signing of an agreement between the countries to develop a railway network in Jordan and establish the UAE-Jordan Railway Company.
The agreement covers the construction and operation of a 360-kilometre railway linking the main mining areas of Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the Port of Aqaba. The project aims to transport 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually, with a total investment of $2.3 billion.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and on behalf of Jordan by Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamin, Minister of Transport of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
As part of the agreement, the UAE–Jordan Railway Company was formally established as a joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s L’IMAD Holding Company (L’IMAD) and several Jordanian stakeholders.
The founding agreement was signed by Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance and Managing Director and Group CEO of L’IMAD Holding, on the UAE side.
From the Jordanian side, signatories included Dr. Mohammad Thneibat, Chairman of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company; Eng. Shehada Abu Hdeib, Chairman of Arab Potash Company; Dr. Ezzeddin Kanakrieh, CEO of the Jordan Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF); and Waddah Barqawi, Chairman of the Board of Government Investments Management Company.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
Under the agreement, the joint venture will be responsible for implementing, operating, and maintaining Jordan’s railway network through its executing arm, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network.
UAE-Jordan Relations
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed said the UAE-Jordan Railway Company agreement reflects the deep-rooted fraternal ties, built on a shared vision of stronger cooperation, integration, and sustainable development.
His Highness noted that the strong bilateral relationship is a model partnership based on trust, aligned visions, and joint efforts to serve both nations and drive economic growth, contributing to regional stability and prosperity. Such partnerships, he added, highlight both countries’ commitment to high-impact projects that support diversified, sustainable economies and deeper integration in line with future ambitions.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
Sheikh Mansour added that the UAE will continue strengthening strategic relations to support joint development efforts and the shared goal of a more prosperous future through effective cooperation.
Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure stated that the agreement represents a strategic step toward building an effective transport partnership, enhancing Jordan’s strategic position and its role in global trade flows through the Port of Aqaba.
The energy minister added that the partnership reflects the UAE’s commitment to developing sustainable strategic ties between the countries, opening broader development opportunities and creating high-quality prospects aligned with both countries’ economic priorities.
Nidal Al-Qatamin Jordan Minister of Transport
“Our longstanding fraternal ties with the UAE are today translating into a tangible reality that serves Jordan’s future. This railway network will mark a qualitative leap in our mining sector by significantly reducing transport costs for phosphate and potash, enhancing our global competitiveness, and creating thousands of jobs for our citizens.”
The agreement represents a natural extension of the $5.5 billion investment agreement signed at the end of 2023 in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Boosts exports, cuts costs
The project will enhance Jordan’s export capabilities and logistics efficiency by directly linking phosphate and potash production sites to the Port of Aqaba, significantly reducing transport time and costs. It will also support comprehensive economic development and open wide prospects for job creation across multiple sectors, leveraging the extensive expertise of Etihad Rail.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Group CEO of L’IMAD Holding, commented that the agreement reflects a firm belief that investment in transport infrastructure is fundamental to genuine economic transformation. He added that the UAE views regional prosperity as a shared responsibility, noting that the project demonstrates its commitment to supporting partners in building a more connected and competitive future at both the regional and global levels.
Advancing bilateral ties
Prior to the signing, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Dr. Jaafar Hassan held a bilateral meeting to review the strong ties between the nations, discussing ways to further enhance cooperation across various sectors in line with both nations’ leadership aspirations and shared interests.
The project highlights the UAE’s ongoing role in supporting strategic development in the region, strengthening economic partnerships through long-term investment and knowledge transfer.
It also reflects the UAE’s commitment to advancing vital infrastructure, fostering economic integration, and turning strong bilateral relations into concrete projects that drive regional growth and solidify its position as a trusted partner in building integrated transport and logistics systems globally.
