Iraq visit planned to discuss improving transport flow

AMMAN — Transport Minister Lina Shbeeb on Monday said a delegation from the ministry along with representatives from the private sector will visit Iraq next week to discuss hurdles impeding the flow of transport between the two countries. 

The visit is part of steps that Jordan is taking to facilitate and encourage the flow of exports into Iraq. 

During a meeting with the partnership council of the transport sector which was held at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Shbeeb said the visit is an opportunity for private sector representatives to discuss their problems and challenges with Iraqi officials, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The minister also indicated that a recent decision to allow the entry of empty Iraqi trucks into Jordan will continue, even after June 30, when the period initially set for implementation ends, noting that this will help safeguard the interests of economic sectors. 

In remarks to The Jordan Times over the phone, the ministry’s spokesperson, Ali Odaibat, said because Jordanian trucks cannot enter Iraqi territories for security reasons, a decision was taken to allow empty Iraqi trucks to enter Jordan in order to secure a continued flow of exports from Jordan to Iraq. 

At the meeting, private sector representatives said the number of vacant Iraqi trucks allowed into Jordan through the Karameh border crossing was limited. They also pointed out that Egyptian crossings are not open for Jordanian exports to reach the Libyan market.  

Turning to local transport projects, Shbeeb added that the ministry’s plan to link governorates via railway entails connecting Aqaba and Maan, with the establishment of an inland port in Maan, some 220km south of Amman, within the first phase, while the second will involve linking Maan and Amman with an inland port to be set up in the capital.

The third part of the project seeks to link Amman and Mafraq, with an inland port to be set up in the northeastern governorate, she said, adding that each port will serve different functions, according to Petra.  

Shbeeb stressed the importance of cooperating with the private sector to implement the JD2 billion project.

JCC President Nael Kabariti said the transport sector in the Kingdom, despite improvements to ports and roads, still needs more work to play a positive role and stimulate development.

Kabariti asked that the private sector be given a bigger role to participate in decision making, noting that the chamber will exert all efforts to support the transport sector in coordination with the ministry and concerned parties. 

Other private sector representatives said local and foreign investments in the sector are lacking, land transport fleets are old, and there is little monitoring of transport vehicles and drivers.