AMMAN — The government is working under the Economic Modernisation Vision to develop the transport and logistics sector as one of the main drivers of economic growth, investment and job creation, Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamine said on Thursday.

 

Speaking at a Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) session titled "Jordan as a Regional Logistics Hub: Transport Policies as a Driver of Growth and Competitiveness," Qatamine said that the world is moving towards integrated rail, maritime and land transport networks linking continents and markets, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

He said that Jordan has a strategic opportunity to connect the Gulf region with the Levant, Turkey and Europe, in addition to linking with the Mediterranean through Egypt, noting that the Kingdom’s geographical location gives it a “strong” competitive advantage in transport and logistics.

 

Qatamine stressed that recent geopolitical shifts, especially concerning the Strait of Hormuz, have underscored the critical nature of supply chains and logistics.

 

Disruptions in this 30-kilometre maritime route significantly impact the global economy, shipping expenses, and international trade, the minister added.

 

He highlighted Jordan's stability amid regional challenges, enhancing global trust in the Kingdom as a secure transit and logistics hub.

 

Qatamine said that the government has already started implementing strategic railway projects, mainly the Aqaba Port railway project for transporting phosphate and potash, which was signed with the UAE at investments exceeding $2.3 billion.

 

He said that the project would create major economic and development activity in governorates and areas along the railway route through direct jobs and supporting sectors linked to construction, transport and services.

 

The minister noted that railway projects require thousands of engineers, technicians and workers, adding that such projects create an integrated economic system rather than serving only as transport projects.

 

He added that the government is also completing studies for railway links with Saudi Arabia and Syria, extending to Turkey, as part of plans to establish an integrated regional railway network.

 

JEF President Khair Abu Saileik stressed that transport and logistics infrastructure projects are long-term strategic projects that require a far-reaching government vision, noting that successive governments recognised early the importance of this sector, particularly with regard to railway connectivity projects with neighbouring countries.