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AMMAN — Minister of Transport Nidal Katamine and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah on Monday discussed the Saudi decision that bans Jordanian buses entry into Saudi territory during the Hajj season.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Saudi International Rail Exhibition and Conference 2025 in Riyadh, which saw broad Arab and international participation, according to a Transport Ministry statement.
Katamine stressed that restrictions on the entry of Jordanian buses into Saudi Arabia have affected elderly Jordanian pilgrims in particular, as well as the Kingdom’s tourism transport sector in general.
Al Rabiah expressed understanding and pledged to explore positive solutions with the relevant Saudi authorities.
During the ministerial session of the conference, Katamine highlighted the importance of railways in modern transport systems and their role in promoting regional connectivity, in line with the goals of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s progress in railway projects, noting that such developments provide Jordan with opportunities to enhance its role as a regional transport hub.
Katamine highlighted Jordan’s strategic location on the Red Sea and described the establishment of a national railway network as a “national necessity” to enhance economic growth and integration with neighbouring countries.
On the sidelines of the event, the minister also held talks with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Syria, as well as Egypt’s deputy transport minister, in the presence of Jordan’s Ambassador to Riyadh Haitham Abu Al Foul.
The discussions focused on enhancing pan-Arab cooperation in transport and logistics and facilitating the movement of people and goods across the region.
