Amman, May 9 (Petra) – Transport Minister Nidal Qatamin on Saturday made a field tour of vital land, sea, and air transport facilities, as well as logistics services in Ma'an and Aqaba, to assess current operations and follow up on projects and challenges facing the sector.
The minister, accompanied by Aqaba Governor, Ayman Awaisheh, and top executives and officials, visited the Ma'an Development Zone, the Ma'an Dry Port project, the Al-Durra Border Crossing, the Aqaba Industrial Port and Customs Yard 4, King Hussein International Airport, and the Arab Bridge Maritime Company.
In Ma'an Development Zone, the minister and Executive Director Hani Khatatbeh reviewed development and investment projects and the infrastructure supporting the investment environment in the region. He also inspected the site of the Ma'an Dry Port project, which connects production centers with regional trade routes, enhance investment, and create job opportunities, as well as its compatibility with railway and multimodal transport projects.
At Al-Durra border crossing with Saudi Arabia, the Minister reviewed a growing operational activity of shipping and transport, stressing the need for updated procedures and a developed infrastructure for a smooth flow of goods and to reduce congestion, given a rapid growth in trade with the Gulf countries.
At the Aqaba Industrial Port, Qatamin took a first-hand look at shipping, export, and import operations, particularly in the phosphate, potash, and mining industries. He stressed the port's role in supporting the national economy and enhancing the competitiveness of Jordanian exports.
At Customs Yard 4, he called for removing obstacles and accelerating work pace to keep up with a shipping boom and improve operational efficiency and infrastructure.
At King Hussein International Airport, the minister reviewed development projects, including updating the airport's visual identity and improving facilities and services for passengers. He also followed up on a MLAT system, which is about 90% complete, and an integration between Indra and Thales MLAT systems, which is currently undergoing evaluation by air traffic control, with final completion expected in the next three months.
The Minister also reviewed maintenance work at the Meteorological Department building and plans for its development according to the highest technical and engineering standards.
In the final stop of the tour, the minister met with Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Shadi Majali, and Hussein Safadi, Director General of the Aqaba Development Corporation, at the headquarters of the Arab Bridge Maritime Company. They reviewed ways to enhance the transport and logistics system in Aqaba.
The tour is part of the government's efforts to develop the transport and logistics sector, in line with the economic modernization vision and the Royal directives, to enhance the Kingdom's regional competitiveness.
//Petra//SS
