Abu Dhabi, April 15 (Petra) -- Leading media outlets in the United Arab Emirates have provided extensive coverage of the $2.3 billion Aqaba Port Railway project, framing it as a transformative milestone in the deep-rooted partnership between the UAE and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The joint venture, which includes a sophisticated network of tracks, tunnels, and bridges built to international standards, is being lauded as a cornerstone for regional logistics.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a report on Wednesday that the agreement represents a natural extension of a $5.5 billion investment deal signed at the end of 2023 in the presence of His Majesty King Abdullah II and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

WAM quoted UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan as saying the agreement reflects the depth of longstanding fraternal ties between the UAE and Jordan, based on a shared vision by the leadership of both countries to strengthen cooperation, integration and sustainable development.

He added that the strong relations between the two countries represent an advanced model of partnerships built on trust, unified vision, and joint efforts to serve the interests of their peoples and drive economic development, contributing to regional stability and prosperity. Such partnerships, he said, reflect a shared commitment to high-quality projects that support more diversified and sustainable economies and enhance growth and integration in line with future aspirations.

He said the UAE remains committed to strengthening its strategic relations with Jordan in a way that supports joint development and reflects both countries’ determination to build a more prosperous future based on effective cooperation.

WAM also highlighted Jordanian-Emirati talks held on the sidelines of the signing ceremony at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Sheikh Mansour, during which agreements were signed to begin the implementation phase of the Aqaba railway project and to establish a joint Jordanian-Emirati company to build and operate it.

Minister of Transport Nidal Katamine was quoted as saying the project would mark a qualitative leap in Jordan’s mining sector by significantly reducing the cost of transporting phosphate and potash, boosting competitiveness in global markets and creating thousands of jobs across the kingdom.

UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei said the agreement reflects a strategic direction towards building an effective partnership in transport between the UAE and Jordan, strengthening Jordan’s strategic position and its ability to contribute to global trade flows through Aqaba port.

He added that the partnership underscores the UAE’s commitment to developing sustainable strategic relations with Jordan, opening broader prospects for development and creating quality opportunities that support the shared economic priorities of both countries.

The Abu Dhabi-based Al Ittihad newspaper highlighted key aspects of the project, which is based on an equal partnership between Jordan represented by Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Arab Potash Company, the Jordan Investment Management Company, and the Social Security Investment Fund and the UAE, represented by Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investment platform, L'IMAD Holding Company.

The report said the project would enhance Aqaba port’s economic competitiveness, positioning it as a strategic regional gateway for transport, shipping and logistics services, while opening broad development prospects across Jordan, particularly in southern governorates and the Jordan Valley.

It added that the project marks a first step towards building a national railway network aimed at linking Aqaba with the rest of the kingdom and neighboring Arab countries, including potential connections to Syrian and Mediterranean ports.

Dubai-based Al Bayan newspaper also highlighted the importance of the agreement in strengthening economic ties between the two countries, describing the project as a key driver for boosting Jordan’s export capacity and logistics efficiency by directly linking phosphate and potash production sites to Aqaba port, thereby reducing transport time and costs and supporting comprehensive economic development.

Al Bayan quoted Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of L'IMAD Holding, as saying the agreement reflects a firm belief that investment in transport infrastructure is a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth, adding that the UAE sees regional prosperity as a shared responsibility.

The newspaper also highlighted bilateral talks between Prime Minister Hassan and Sheikh Mansour ahead of the signing ceremony, during which they reviewed fraternal ties and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors in line with the aspirations of both countries’ leaderships.

It said the project represents an extension of economic cooperation between Jordan and the UAE and reflects Abu Dhabi’s continued role in supporting strategic development projects in the region through long-term investment and knowledge transfer, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in building integrated transport and logistics systems at both regional and global levels.

//Petra// AF