Jordan, Japan sign nuclear cooperation deal

Atomic Energy Commission chief: Agreement sets stage for exploring, exploiting Jordan's uranium reserves; Japan to assist building of reactor.

Bushehr Plant 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Bushehr Plant 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan and Japan have signed a nuclear cooperation deal on Friday, potentially boosting the hand of a French-Japanese consortium bidding to build Jordan's first nuclear plant.
Atomic Energy Commission chief Khaled Toukan said the agreement sets the stage for exploring and exploiting Jordan's uranium reserves.
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Toukan said Japan will also assist in the construction and operation of a local reactor and in studies on radioisotopes and radiation.
Jordan wants to build a nuclear plant by 2019 to meet its growing energy needs and reduce its energy bill, which consumes about 20 percent of its annual budget.
Amman has shortlisted a French-Japanese consortium, a Canadian and a Russian company to build the plant.