However, the project was never commissioned, which led the Government of Sudan to set 2009 as a deadline to start implementing the agreed investment plans or risk losing the rights to the designated land. Several references reported differently on this issue, but almost all agree that the delay was the result of a lack of interest from the private sector in Jordan. However, a closer look revealed that although two companies, namely, Barakat and Hijazi and the Ghoshe Group, were seriously interested in the project, financing was the main obstacle facing implementation. The proposed setup was a public-private partnership modality and despite the economic feasibility of the project, weak commitment by the Jordanian Government led to the withdrawal of the private sector from the project.62 However, in August 2014, Jordan announced plans to invest in developing 16,800 ha of agricultural land allocated by the Sudanese Government for Jordan.