Japan provides $300 million to support water project in Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, and the Japanese ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, signed and exchanged notes regarding the provision of a JICA loan for the Samawah Water Supply Improvement Project in Iraq.

The loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is 45,298 billion yen (approximately $300 million), the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.

The project includes the construction of a water treatment plant, including a desalination facility, and the installation of water pipelines from the water treatment plant to the pumping station and drainage pipelines for concentrated salt water.

The project will narrow the gap between supply and demand in Samawah city and assist in the construction of the first large-scale water treatment plant in Samawah, Muthanna governorate.

Furthermore, this effort will also help mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

The Euphrates River’s water, which has become more salinized recently because of less rainfall, is anticipated to be desalinated by the water treatment facility.

Japan has provided water supply infrastructure support to Iraq from the south to the north, namely to Basra, Halabja, Sulaymaniya, Erbil, and Duhok. Samawah will come next, in line with these initiatives.

By carrying out this project, Japan will support both the economic and social development of Iraq by providing Samawah residents with clean drinking water.

Source: Iraqi News, 24. December 2023