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Tender to Implement 1st Phase of Jordan-Iraq Power Grid Project Ends on Monday

The first phase of the Jordan-Iraq power grid project is scheduled to be completed by late 2022. (Reuters)
The first phase of the Jordan-Iraq power grid project is scheduled to be completed by late 2022. (Reuters)
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Tender to Implement 1st Phase of Jordan-Iraq Power Grid Project Ends on Monday

The first phase of the Jordan-Iraq power grid project is scheduled to be completed by late 2022. (Reuters)
The first phase of the Jordan-Iraq power grid project is scheduled to be completed by late 2022. (Reuters)

The tender to implement the first phase of the Jordan-Iraq power grid project will end on Monday.

The project, scheduled to be completed by late 2022, will supply Iraq with 400 kilovolts of electricity from Jordan.

The kingdom and Iraq seek to build their electrical interconnection, which would allow for energy exchange in “larger” quantities, reported Jordan's state news agency Petra.

Pevious statements by the Director-General of the National Electricity Power Company (NEPCO), Eng. Amjad Rawashdeh, said the grid is in line with Jordan’s aspiration to link with neighboring countries to exchange electric power, which will stabilize power systems and fulfill plans to establish a joint Arab energy market.

In September 2020, Jordan signed an agreement to sell electricity to Iraq and connect the two countries' power grids.

Rawashdeh said the linkage would be established over two phases.

In the first phase, Jordan will provide 150 megawatts of electricity to Iraq for three years, which can be renewed.

The second phase includes intensifying electrical exchange.

The minister said supplying Iraq with electricity will begin after completing the construction of al-Risha plant in Jordan, and the establishment of the 300-km power line connecting it with the al-Qaim conversion plant in Iraq.

It will be completed within 26 months of the signing of the contract, he added.

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Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List Boosts Local Companies in Government Procurement

A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List Boosts Local Companies in Government Procurement

A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A factory in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Mandatory List has emerged as a strategic lever to strengthen the role of local businesses in public sector procurement.

Designed to drive demand for Saudi-made products, the list not only expands market opportunities for domestic manufacturers but also ensures that government entities procure reliable goods that meet stringent quality standards.

Last year, government tenders that included items from the list surpassed 46,600, with a combined value of SAR67.6 billion ($18 billion).

The Local Content and Government Procurement Authority has been steadily updating the list, adding about 407 new products in 2024.

This week, officials announced a further expansion, introducing 105 additional products across seven key sectors: pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, construction, transportation and logistics, furniture, cybersecurity, and information technology.

Authorities say this effort underscores a broader commitment to make local content a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s future economy. By prioritizing Saudi products, the government aims to empower national industries, spur innovation, and increase job opportunities while reducing reliance on imports.

The latest update is also part of policies favoring small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and companies listed on the Saudi financial market.

The initiative seeks to strengthen local supply chains and raise the readiness of domestic factories to fulfill public sector demand.

According to the Authority, expected government spending on the newly added products exceeds SAR2.3 billion ($613 million). More than 100 Saudi factories are already equipped to meet this anticipated demand.

These measures form part of broader efforts to maximize the economic impact of public spending. In the second half of last year alone, a series of new policies, strategic agreements, and national programs contributed to economic gains exceeding SAR80 billion ($21.3 billion).

The Authority also integrated local content requirements into 54 privatization projects valued at SAR269 billion ($71.7 billion). Of these, 24 projects have already achieved their targets, representing overSAR 131 billion ($34.9 billion) in contracts aimed at boosting private sector participation and employment.