Jordan’s Minister of Transport, Nidal Al-Qatamin, said on Thursday that the government is working under the Economic Modernization Vision to develop the transport and logistics sector as one of the key industries capable of driving economic growth, creating jobs, and stimulating investment.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking during a session of the Jordan Economic Forum titled “Jordan as a Regional Logistics Hub: Transport Policies as a Driver of Growth and Competitiveness,” Al-Qatamin said the world is currently moving toward the development of integrated rail, maritime, and land transport networks linking continents and markets.
He explained that Jordan holds a strategic geographic opportunity to serve as a connection point between the Arab Gulf, the Levant, Turkey, and Europe, in addition to the potential to connect with the Mediterranean via Egyptian territory.
He said this geographic advantage gives the Kingdom strong competitive potential in the transport and logistics sector.
Al-Qatamin noted that the government has already begun implementing strategic railway projects, most notably the Aqaba Port Railway Project, which will transport phosphate and potash and has been signed with the Emirati side, with investments exceeding $2.3 billion.
He said the agreement is among the clearest and most transparent in terms of partnership structure, division of responsibilities, and decision-making between both parties.
The minister described the project as a major economic and developmental transformation—not only because it will serve the mining sector, but also because it will stimulate broad economic activity in the governorates and regions it passes through, through direct employment opportunities and supporting sectors linked to construction, services, transport, and supply chains.
He added that railway infrastructure projects require thousands of workers, engineers, technicians, and support services, directly boosting local economic activity.
“These projects create a complete economic ecosystem, not merely conventional transport infrastructure,” he said.
Al-Qatamin also said the government is continuing feasibility studies for railway connectivity projects with Saudi Arabia and Syria, extending onward to Turkey, as part of efforts to establish a fully integrated regional rail transport network.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has already completed a significant portion of its railway network, while Syria has rail infrastructure that could be rehabilitated and linked with Jordan, Turkey, and Europe.
