Amman, April 26, 2007—The government
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan awarded a 25-year agreement to
the ADP Consortium to expand and rehabilitate the Queen Alia International
Airport in Amman, Jordan. IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank
Group, advised the government in structuring the transaction. It is expected
to mobilize over $500 million dollars of private investment in the country’s
airport sector, bridging a critical gap in infrastructure and promoting
tourism in Jordan.
After a competitive bidding process, the ADP Consortium, a leading international
association, won out over four other competitors by submitting the highest
concession fees offer to the government of Jordan.
Built in 1983, the Queen Alia International Airport is Jordan’s principal
airport, accounting for over 97 percent of all air traffic. Current capacity
constrains the airport’s ability to add more flights and serve more passengers.
Under the agreement, the private sector partner will operate and upgrade
existing airport facilities. The ADP Consortium will also construct a new
terminal designed by world-class architects Foster + Partners, who have
designed airports in Beijing, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.
“This project is a key milestone in Jordan’s move toward attracting private
participation in the country’s transportation sector. I believe that it
will pave the way for other public-private partnership agreements in Jordan,”
said Saud Nseirat, Jordan’s Minister of Transport.
Bernard Sheahan, IFC’s Advisory Services Director, noted, “The private
sector can mobilize financing and provide the necessary expertise to help
meet the infrastructure needs of Jordan’s growing economy. This project
serves as a model and sets an important precedent for future initiatives.
The design and transparency of the tender will encourage further private
sector participation in the country’s infrastructure projects.”
Jacques Follain, Managing Director of Aeroports de Paris Management (ADPM)
said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the concession for
the development of Queen Alia International Airport and look forward to
working closely with the government on the successful implementation of
this important project.”
About IFC
IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, promotes open
and competitive markets in developing countries. IFC supports sustainable
private sector companies and other partners in generating productive jobs
and delivering basic services, so that people have opportunities to escape
poverty and improve their lives. Through FY06, IFC Financial Products has
committed more than $56 billion in funding for private sector investments
and mobilized an additional $25 billion in syndications for 3,531 companies
in 140 developing countries. IFC Advisory Services and donor partners have
provided more than $1 billion in program support to build small enterprises,
to accelerate private participation in infrastructure, to improve the business-enabling
environment, to increase access to finance, and to strengthen environmental
and social sustainability. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.
About the ADP Consortium
The ADP Consortium comprises the Aeroports de Paris Management (ADPM),
Joannou & Paraskevaides Ltd. and J&P Avax, Abu Dhabi Investment
Company (ADIC), Noor Financial Investment Company, and EDGO group. ADPM
is a leading airport operator, and in addition to those in France, it operates
23 airports worldwide. J&P and J&P Avax are leading construction
companies operating in the Gulf, Africa and Europe having constructed important
airports in the Middle East and Pakistan. ADIC is a leading investment
house from Abu Dhabi. Noor Financial and EDGO GROUP group are major financial
institutions from Kuwait and Jordan.