The JICA and Georgetown Partnership has taken a major step to support Jordan’s infrastructure and development goals. On Monday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Georgetown University in Qatar launched a technical cooperation project. The program aims to train Jordanian officials to develop, manage, and implement Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects with international standards.
The program focuses on senior officials from ministries and public institutions. Georgetown University in Qatar will lead the delivery, using a faculty of seasoned experts. These professionals bring over 25 years of global experience working with governments and public sector institutions. The goal is to blend academic rigor with hands-on case studies relevant to Jordan’s PPP challenges.
A standout feature of the program is a field study tour in Australia. The country is well-known for its successful PPP projects across transport, healthcare, and infrastructure. Jordanian officials will visit top-performing institutions that have long led PPP development. This direct exposure will help them understand how strong policy, financing, and risk-sharing make PPPs work effectively.
Officials won’t just observe, they will interact with project leaders and government bodies. They’ll return with insights and action plans tailored for Jordan’s PPP environment.
As part of the JICA and Georgetown Partnership, Jordan will establish a dedicated inter-ministerial PPP team. This unit will propose, evaluate, and manage PPP projects across sectors. By improving coordination among ministries, the team will increase efficiency, reduce delays, and attract stronger investor interest.
This structural reform is vital. It signals Jordan’s commitment to institutionalizing PPPs and ensuring sustainable development backed by private investment.
The program will end with a high-level workshop that includes government officials, local companies, investors, banks, and development partners. This forum will encourage collaboration and discussion around future PPP opportunities in Jordan.
Trainees will present their learning outcomes. The workshop will also help align public objectives with private sector capabilities, fostering better-designed PPP pipelines.
This entire initiative under the JICA and Georgetown Partnership supports Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision. The strategy focuses on using PPPs to attract private capital, reduce public financial burdens, and deliver national infrastructure projects.
By boosting institutional readiness and building long-term capacity, the program prepares Jordan to engage in more successful and scalable PPP ventures. It could also serve as a model for other countries in the region aiming to modernize through public-private collaboration.
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