The Jordanian Council of Ministers approved on Sunday a grant from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to finance new road infrastructure projects across the Kingdom.

The agreement specifically allocates funds to update technical studies and detailed designs for two major projects:

1. The Irbid Ring Road

2. The Salt Ring Road
   both located in northern Jordan.

Strategic Objectives:

• Alleviate traffic congestion in Irbid and Salt cities

• Enhance Jordan's economic and social development

• Improve access to:
  • Northern regions and Jordan Valley (key agricultural export hub)
  • Tourist and archaeological sites in northern Jordan

Project Benefits:

• Irbid Ring Road: Will facilitate:
  • Agricultural exports transportation
  • Commercial movement
  • Tourist access

• Salt Ring Road: Will create an integrated bypass system to:
  • Eliminate the need for through-city traffic
  • Reduce urban congestion

Background:
The Kuwait Fund had previously signed two loan agreements worth 20 million Kuwaiti dinars (≈$64 million) with Jordan on February 17 for:

1. Public education infrastructure development

2. Road and bridge rehabilitation projects