Amman, Aug 24 (Petra) – Jordan has a real opportunity to become a
regional transport, logistics, transit, and re-export hub and play a
bigger role in regional and international trade, Association of
Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Head Deifallah Abu Aqoula
said on Monday.

He said the Kingdom’s location, the Aqaba Port, and its ties to the
Iraqi, Gulf States’, Syrian, and Palestinian markets offer it such an
opportunity, especially in the midst of successive crises affecting
global supply chains.

Aqoula also pointed to the rapid change in the global trading system
and accompanying disruptions in supply chains and rising shipping,
transport, and insurance costs, which requires that Jordan endeavor
to turn these challenges into real economic and investment
opportunities.

Capitalizing on these requires developing an integrated, multimodal
transport system encompassing land, sea, and rail transport, he said.

He also urged expediting the national railway network project and its
connection to the Aqaba Port, with future plans to extend its lines
to neighboring countries and regional markets, which would open new
trade routes, reduce freight costs, and enhance Jordan’s ability to
attract transit traffic.

The railway network, Aqoula said, should not be viewed solely as a
domestic transport project, but part of a regional system linking
ports, production centers, and markets that would boost Jordan as a
regional logistics hub and enhance its competitiveness with other
trade corridors.

He also called for expanding land border crossings, increasing their
capacity, developing truck yards, inspection and storage areas, and
improving entry and exit procedures to accommodate any future
increase in transit and trade.

The Customs Clearance and Transport Companies’ Chief stressed that
infrastructure development must go hand in hand with streamlining
customs and administrative procedures and completing the electronic
linking of relevant trade, transport, customs, port, and border
crossing entities.

//Petra//SS