Amman: Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni on Thursday emphasized that Jordan places a high priority on the transport sector due to its role in stimulating economic growth, facilitating trade, and supporting tourism. Tahtamouni noted the ministry is working to enhance the sector's efficiency and achieve integration with the broader Arab region.
According to Jordan News Agency, Tahtamouni made the remarks while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 38th General Assembly of the Arab Union of Land Transport (AULT), held in Amman. She praised the union's efforts in supporting pan-Arab economic integration and strengthening the region's land transport systems. Tahtamouni highlighted the AULT's initiatives in setting technical standards for transporting hazardous materials, advancing the Unified Arab Traffic Project, and building sectoral capacity, which are essential steps to create a safe and sustainable Arab transport system.
Emphasizing the importance of boosting Arab cooperation, Tahtamouni called for activating transit agreements and streamlining cross-border procedures. She reiterated Jordan's ongoing commitment to serving as a strategic link for advancing Arab integration in the transport sector.
The assembly was attended by AULT Secretary-General Malek Haddad, Chairman Khalid Al-Hogail, General Assembly members, and representatives from the Council of Arab Economic Unity and the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, alongside transport experts from across the Arab world.
Haddad noted that the session is an opportunity to assess progress and explore future cooperation avenues. He highlighted the AULT General Secretariat's strides in modernizing Arab land transport, including contributions to a unified curriculum for transporting dangerous goods developed in collaboration with the International Road Transport Union and the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport.
Haddad also noted progress in digitizing the unified Arab traffic book and launching training programs for drivers and sector personnel through automobile clubs in Arab countries. He stated that these achievements reflect collective efforts, but acknowledged that much work is needed to achieve shared goals.
Al-Hogail underscored the importance of deepening inter-Arab transportation and trade cooperation, affirming that integration in the transport sector is a pillar for promoting economic growth and enabling smoother movement of goods and people across the region.