Arab transport ministers on Monday endorsed maritime transport network project to link Arab countries.
At the conclusion of an extraordinary session, chaired by Transport Minister Alaa Batayneh, the council of ministers agreed to present the project to the Arab Economic, Development and Social Summit which will be held in Sharm El Sheikhh, Egypt, in January of next year.
During the meeting, which came on the sidelines of the second International Transport Conference and Exhibition for the Middle East, the ministers called for operating sea transportation services between the main Arab ports, urging for offering more facilities to operators.
They also called on Arab countries to upgrade their ports to meet international standards in terms of environment protection as well as safety and security factors.
The Arab transport ministers council tasked an Arab fund to finance studies and consultations necessary for implementing the maritime network project.
Batayneh, who inaugurated second International Transport Conference and Exhibition for the Middle East, deputising for Prime Minister Samir Rifai, urged Arab countries to increase cooperation among them in the field of transportation, citing that there are only four agreements on transit and on regulating passenger and freight transport among Arab states whereas in the UN, for example, there are 65 agreements in the area of land transport on its own.
The minister noted that the transport sector is vital to the economic and social development of any country.
Topics to be discussed have been selected carefully, he said, underlining the event which brought together representatives from 22 Arab countries, including 11 ministers.
The topics include the management of challenges facing the sustainable development of seaports and aviations agreements with the European Union, besides safety issues and the role of smart transport systems, the minister said.
Over the two-day event, participants are scheduled to examine various land, maritime and air transport and logistic issues, including infrastructure projects, financing mechanisms and ways to motivate investors and draw capital for strategic projects.
The event will also discuss the national railway network project, which the Ministry of Transport seeks to implement through public-private sector partnership and in cooperation with neighbouring countries.
On the sidelines of the conference, Batayneh inaugurated an exhibition, featuring transport developments and projects in Jordan and the Arab world.
At the conclusion of an extraordinary session, chaired by Transport Minister Alaa Batayneh, the council of ministers agreed to present the project to the Arab Economic, Development and Social Summit which will be held in Sharm El Sheikhh, Egypt, in January of next year.
During the meeting, which came on the sidelines of the second International Transport Conference and Exhibition for the Middle East, the ministers called for operating sea transportation services between the main Arab ports, urging for offering more facilities to operators.
They also called on Arab countries to upgrade their ports to meet international standards in terms of environment protection as well as safety and security factors.
The Arab transport ministers council tasked an Arab fund to finance studies and consultations necessary for implementing the maritime network project.
Batayneh, who inaugurated second International Transport Conference and Exhibition for the Middle East, deputising for Prime Minister Samir Rifai, urged Arab countries to increase cooperation among them in the field of transportation, citing that there are only four agreements on transit and on regulating passenger and freight transport among Arab states whereas in the UN, for example, there are 65 agreements in the area of land transport on its own.
The minister noted that the transport sector is vital to the economic and social development of any country.
Topics to be discussed have been selected carefully, he said, underlining the event which brought together representatives from 22 Arab countries, including 11 ministers.
The topics include the management of challenges facing the sustainable development of seaports and aviations agreements with the European Union, besides safety issues and the role of smart transport systems, the minister said.
Over the two-day event, participants are scheduled to examine various land, maritime and air transport and logistic issues, including infrastructure projects, financing mechanisms and ways to motivate investors and draw capital for strategic projects.
The event will also discuss the national railway network project, which the Ministry of Transport seeks to implement through public-private sector partnership and in cooperation with neighbouring countries.
On the sidelines of the conference, Batayneh inaugurated an exhibition, featuring transport developments and projects in Jordan and the Arab world.