Amman: Minister of Transport and Labor Nidal Qatamin announced that the Aqaba Port Railway Project is a significant strategic initiative aimed at boosting Jordan's economic security and positioning the nation as a pivotal regional transport and logistics hub.
According to Jordan News Agency, the project serves as a cornerstone of the economic modernization vision, addressing the fast-evolving global trade routes and supply chains. This was highlighted in a recent press release from the ministry. Qatamin made these remarks during a seminar organized by the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan. The seminar, titled "The Aqaba Port Railway: Regional Connectivity, Security, and Economic Development in Jordan," gathered academics, economic experts, and stakeholders from the transport and logistics sectors.
He emphasized Jordan's potential to become a key logistics corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf with the Levant and international markets. The Kingdom's strategic geographical location is increasingly drawing attention from Gulf countries, necessitating modern infrastructure, particularly railway projects, to reinforce Jordan's role as a regional hub linking production and consumption markets in the region.
The minister noted that the railway project is not merely a transportation development but a comprehensive economic endeavor aimed at reducing logistics costs, enhancing national export competitiveness, stimulating investment, creating job opportunities, and supporting various sectors such as industry, mining, and agriculture. Additionally, it is expected to spur economic development in the governorates along its route.
Qatamin described the project as the foundation of the national railway network, which will eventually connect different regions within Jordan and extend to neighboring countries, thereby promoting regional economic integration and enhancing Jordan's stature as a logistics hub. With a modern railway network linking the Port of Aqaba to production centers and both local and regional markets, Jordan will gain a strategic advantage and offer a more efficient, sustainable transportation system that supports long-term development.
The railway project, with an estimated cost of $2.3 billion, is a vital component of the economic modernization vision. Spanning approximately 360 kilometers, it connects the Port of Aqaba to phosphate and potash production areas, boasting a capacity of up to 16 million tons annually. The project is being implemented through an equal partnership between Jordanian and Emirati entities, with each holding a 50% stake. Jordan's share is divided among the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, the Arab Potash Company, the Social Security Investment Fund, and the Government Investments Management Company.