USAID and Ma'an Development Co support adoption of 3D Panel System in Construction

The aim of this series of workshops is to train 180 engineers and 200 technicians on this new technology over a period of six months. The training is conducted in cooperation between MDC, Ma'an Vocational Training Centre, and Hadeed Emirates/ Jordan as well as investors in Ma'an Development Area. A factory that manufactures this modern system in construction is being established and its products will be sold locally and exported.

The program's content will prepare the cadres that will be employed for the new factory in the Ma'an Development Area that specializes in making these 3D panels for construction works. This modern technology has created a substantial leap in the search for cutting construction cost, acquiring speed, quality, high rigidity, and ensuring effective temperature and sound insulation construction. Also, 3D Panel construction system reduces numbers of needed workers as well as the consumption of water and energy.

The 3D Panels technology manufactures highly rigid panels used in construction works. Each panel contains a hard polystyrene expansive core pressed between two steel wire mesh. The panel is then weaved together with a 4 mm steel wire that penetrates the polystyrene in the middle from a particular corner, thus giving it unmatched strength as it welds each layer of the used steel sheets to the other. The 3D Panels maintain the characteristics of being light weight and ready for installation with a minimum number of workers at a very short time saving 20% of normal construction time, and saving in water and energy usage.

"USAID works through its economic development programs to support means of economic development in Jordan. We partner with all parties that work to build a greener and healthier economy in Jordan, hence this partnership. If we were to put this alongside the fact that construction is responsible for consuming third of the country's energy, and that it emanates harmful gases in societies, we will find the USAID's support is in line with its core economic development efforts," said Dr Ruba Jaradat, USAID Jordan's representative, in her opening remarks.

Mr Salem Al Turk, from Ma'an Development Area, explained the logic behind this activity, "It stems from our belief to support the development of those who work in construction and enhance their skills, whether they are architects or technicians. These workshops that are supported by the USAID will form a base for more programs and training courses that will reflect positively on the construction industry in the Kingdom and will raise it to unprecedented heights."

The USAID Jordan Economic Development Program is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. The Program's mission is to support sectors and activities in alignment with His Majesty King Abdullah's vision for a Knowledge-based Economy, by inserting Jordanian enterprises into global value chains, promoting investment, and improving the enabling environment to generate value added jobs, exports, foreign direct investment, and sector revenues as a powerful engine of economic growth.