Amman, June 28 (Petra) -- Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin said Jordan's transport and logistics sector remains a key pillar of the national economy, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure, border crossings and logistics services to strengthen the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for transport and trade connectivity.

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 39th General Assembly of the Arab Union for Land Transport in Amman, Qatamin said the transport sector is a major driver of economic growth due to its role in supporting trade, investment and the sustainability of supply chains among Arab countries. The meeting brought together transport experts from member states of the union and the Arab League, according to a Ministry of Transport statement.

Qatamin said continued investment in the sector is essential to keeping pace with regional and international developments and improving its contribution to economic development.

He described the Arab Union for Land Transport as a key platform for advancing institutional cooperation in the sector, stressing the importance of strengthening coordination among member states to promote Arab economic integration and harmonize transport-related policies.

He also called for further development of logistics corridors, the harmonization of transport procedures and the modernization of border and customs systems to facilitate the movement of goods, reduce operating costs and shorten transit times across the Arab region.

The assembly featured an official opening session followed by specialized discussions and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the union's establishment. The event drew representatives from transport ministries, federations and land transport companies from several Arab countries.

Minister Plenipotentiary and Chairperson of the Transport and Tourism Committee at the Arab League Bahgat Abu El-Nasr said the Arab Union for Land Transport has become a leading reference for research and studies related to the transport sector in the Arab world, underscoring its growing role in supporting policymaking and logistics development.

Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Land Transport Malek Haddad said the union has reached an advanced stage of institutional development after five decades of work, enabling it to strengthen its capabilities and expand its role within the Arab transport sector.

He said the launch of the Arab Transport Experts Unit marks a significant step forward by creating a platform to consolidate Arab expertise and provide technical support to policymakers, contributing to more effective transport policies and improved sector performance.

Haddad added that the union's next phase will focus on expanding Arab cooperation in transport and logistics, accelerating digital transformation and advancing sustainability to enhance the sector's regional and international competitiveness.

President of the International Association of Land Transport (UIT) and Chairperson of the Arab Union for Land Transport Khaled Haqil said the union's 50th anniversary marks an important milestone that reflects the progress of joint Arab institutional work in land transport and the development of a more comprehensive regulatory framework for the sector.

He said the union is entering a new phase focused on strengthening its institutional tools and reinforcing its role as the umbrella organization for Arab land transport, noting that the sector has evolved into an integrated economic system closely linked to trade, supply chains and development.

Haqil stressed the need to deepen public-private partnerships to improve the efficiency of logistics systems and enhance their ability to respond to global developments. He also described the launch of the Arab Transport Experts Unit as a strategic initiative to support transport decision-making through specialized expertise and technical studies.

Participants also discussed developing the Arab land transport system, facilitating transit and cross-border transport, modernizing transport legislation and regulatory frameworks, accelerating digital transformation in logistics services, enhancing training and road safety programs, and expanding public-private partnerships to build a more integrated, efficient and sustainable Arab transport system.

//Petra// AJ