Amman: 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.
According to Jordan News Agency, Aqoula highlighted the Kingdom's strategic location, the Aqaba Port, and its connections to the Iraqi, Gulf States', Syrian, and Palestinian markets as key advantages. These factors position Jordan to seize opportunities, especially amidst ongoing global supply chain challenges.
Aqoula emphasized the need for Jordan to adapt to rapid changes in the global trading system. He pointed out disruptions in supply chains and rising shipping, transport, and insurance costs, suggesting that Jordan should turn these challenges into economic and investment opportunities.
To achieve this, Aqoula advocated for the development of an integrated, multimodal transport system that includes land, sea, and rail transport. He urged the swift completion of the national railway network project, connecting it to the Aqaba Port and extending its lines to neighboring countries and regional markets. This would open new trade routes, reduce freight costs, and enhance Jordan's capacity to attract transit traffic.
Furthermore, Aqoula stressed that the railway network should be seen as part of a broader regional system that links ports, production centers, and markets. This approach would boost Jordan's status as a regional logistics hub and enhance its competitiveness with other trade corridors.
He also called for expanding land border crossings, increasing their capacity, and developing truck yards, inspection and storage areas, as well as improving entry and exit procedures to handle any future increase in transit and trade.
Aqoula concluded by stating that infrastructure development must be coupled with streamlining customs and administrative procedures and completing the electronic linkage of relevant trade, transport, customs, port, and border crossing entities.