Enab Baladi – Marina Merhej
The Syrian Minister of Transport, Yarub Badr, discussed facilitating the passage of Syrian and Jordanian trucks loaded with exports to Eastern Europe and Lebanon through Syrian territory, and to Gulf countries through Jordanian territory, and benefiting from the Port of Latakia for exporting Jordanian products to some countries.
The discussions focused on cooperation prospects and unifying shipping fees between Syria and Jordan during two consecutive meetings held on Tuesday, May 27, with the Syrian Minister of Transport, alongside both the industrial and commercial Jordanian delegations, attended by Enab Baladi at the Ministry of Transport building.
The industrial delegation included several Jordanian industrialists, headed by the President of the Jordan and Amman Chamber of Industry, Fathi al-Jaghbir, while the commercial delegation was headed by the President of the Amman and Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Khalil Mohammed al-Haj Tawfiq, and included several managers and specialists in the transportation field in Jordan.
Steps to enhance cooperation
Syrian Minister of Transport, Yarub Badr, emphasized the importance of the ministry’s role in overcoming obstacles that have emerged over the past years which hinder the movement of goods, vehicles, and individuals between Syria and Jordan, noting that the ministry is committed to implementing international agreements that serve this field, ratified by both countries.
There are also existing memorandums of understanding and agreements between Syria and Jordan in the field of transport, such as the transit and stay agreement and the orange insurance card agreement in Arab countries, along with the “TIR” agreement that allows trucks to cross without any customs procedures, and work is underway to apply these agreements.
He pointed out that there is no need today to create new agreements, as the regulatory and legal framework that ensures smooth transportation between the two countries is available.
Badr clarified that Syria is Jordan’s gateway to Europe and Turkey, while Jordan is Syria’s gateway to the Gulf countries, which necessitates cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Transport to activate the transit line, reflecting positively and providing added value for those working in the transport sector and for the communities in both countries.
In response to Enab Baladi‘s inquiry about the importance of resuming work on the North-South and East-West routes, as they are crucial transit routes for both countries to other nations, the Minister of Transport replied that the two roads are strategic projects for Syria, and until they are implemented, Syria has road infrastructure that provides a very acceptable level of service for transporting passengers and goods between the two countries.
He pointed out that the obstacle today is not in the infrastructure, but there are concerns and obstacles from both sides, which have been discussed with the Jordanian Ministry of Transport, agreeing to hold a quick meeting for the so-called “joint technical committee” for land transport, which will begin its meetings after the end of the Eid al-Adha holiday to overcome these obstacles.
The North-South axis extends from the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey to the Jordanian border, while the West-East axis connects the Port of Tartus and the Iraqi border, noting that work has not yet commenced on resuming them.
The technical committee will work on unifying the fees between the two countries, which amount to 2% per ton of cargo from the Syrian side, and 5% from the Jordanian side, in addition to studying the regulation of weights and loads of large cars and trucks in transit, to ensure the safety of the main roads between the two countries.
Badr confirmed the ministry’s openness to partnership with the private sector to serve citizens and improve transportation services and emphasized the importance of benefiting from Jordanian experiences in the transport sector, welcoming direct Jordanian investments in domestic transport fields and services of all transport types that contribute to reducing dependence on fuel and minimizing environmental pollution by relying on alternative energy.
Regarding the Hejaz railway that connects the two countries, Badr explained that the ministry is working on repairing the railway, and the financial cost for maintenance might reach four million US dollars. Also, the Hejaz Railway Corporation is suffering from a shortage of locomotives and replacement parts and is working on creating a new fast line to enhance commercial and service cooperation and facilitate the movement of goods and individuals as well.
He pointed out the importance of establishing a Supreme Coordination Council for Syrian-Jordanian relations to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially in transportation, and to build a new phase of economic relations between the two countries.
The Minister of Transport proposed activating a “joint border center” to facilitate transport operations and the exchange of goods between the two countries and shorten the time period for transport trucks.
Jordanian readiness for cooperation
The Jordanian delegations (industrial and commercial) agreed, during their separate meetings with the Syrian Minister of Transport, on their country’s readiness to provide all capabilities and logistical and technical support in the transportation field, including vocational and practical training, especially for the youth, and exchanging expertise at all levels.
They also emphasized the necessity of raising the efficiency of border crossings and activating road and rail transport lines between Damascus and Amman, as it would have a positive effect on reducing costs and increasing the competitiveness of Jordanian products in regional markets.
The heads of the delegations noted the commitment of the Jordanian private sector to strengthen its partnership with its Syrian counterparts, the importance of opening new avenues for businesspeople and investors, and providing a conducive environment to boost trade.
The meetings concluded by confirming the need to continue coordination between the two countries through regular meetings of the formed committees, in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and enhances their production while removing obstacles to the economic integration being worked on during the visit of the Jordanian delegation to Syria.
Syria and Jordan agree on facilitating passage of goods Enab Baladi.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Syria and Jordan agree on facilitating passage of goods )
Also on site :