Alexandria:Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin took part in the 39th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport in Alexandria, where he and other regional leaders focused on enhancing transport and logistics integration across the Arab world.
According to Jordan News Agency, Qatamin emphasized the importance of the transport sector as a key component of economic, food, and energy security. He highlighted the necessity of seamless logistics networks to maintain supply chain stability and ensure continuous trade throughout the region.
Qatamin called for the creation of an integrated regional network that would connect ports, roads, railways, and logistics hubs, aiming to secure resilient trade routes. He proposed initiatives such as joint public-private partnerships, simplified customs procedures, and digital data exchange to reduce shipping costs and improve cross-border movement efficiency.
He also noted Jordan's increasing role in logistics, citing that cargo traffic through the Port of Aqaba reached approximately 19.7 million tons in the first nine months of the year, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year. This growth was complemented by rising trade volumes across several Jordanian land borders. Qatamin stressed the importance of transitioning from mere coordination to execution through funded joint projects for future progress.
During the summit, Qatamin met with Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamel Wazir to discuss logistics cooperation, improvements in border centers, and strategies to facilitate freight transit between Amman and Cairo. Both officials expressed their dedication to eliminating trade barriers and utilizing their countries' strategic locations to enhance regional commerce.