AMMAN — Economists have called for the
introduction of modern legislation that encourages investment in maritime
transportation and shipping to reduce the Kingdom’s dependency on foreign
couriers and ensure that its products are distributed globally.
اضافة اعلان
In statements to
the Jordan News Agency, Petra, they said that encouraging investment in the
maritime and shipping sectors will benefit the national economy and shield it
from swings in shipping prices and global supply disruptions.
National exports
climbed by 37.2 percent in the first two months of 2022, while imports
increased by 32.9 percent compared to the same period last year, according to
government figures. The gain in exports, however, was offset by a 31.2 percent
increase in the country’s trade deficit.
Mohammad Dalabeeh,
secretary-general of the Jordan Navigation Syndicate, said that the launch of a
national sea freight fleet will generate significant income for Jordan and
limit the effects of growing freight costs globally, as well as contribute to
the country’s economic stability.
He noted that the
Kingdom had had a maritime transport fleet 20 years ago, but that “we lost this
fleet despite our need for it in these tough times.”
Jordan has become
one of the world’s major producers and exporters of phosphates, potash,
bromine, fertilizers, and chemical acids, according to Dalabeeh, bolstering the
case for a national shipping fleet.
Dalabeeh argued that
it was no longer feasible to rely on a global shipping fleet that was still
reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic to transport this national
output to the rest of the globe.
Nabil Khatib, the
head of the Logistics Syndicate, painted a bleak picture for investment in
maritime shipping services, claiming that current conditions do not permit such
large investments.
He said that costs
of ships, old and new containers, and operating costs are all major roadblocks
to such investment.
Furthermore, he
noted, this type of investment necessitates significant capital from both the
public and private sectors, which is currently unavailable.
Khatib warned that
rising freight prices could pose significant problems to Jordan’s economy,
particularly in light of indications of new imminent hikes in sea freight
rates.
“We projected a 10 percent increase, but early signs suggest
it may be as high as 25 percent,” he said.
Read more Business
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
