Khaberni - A government team inspected on Thursday the situation of services at the Jaber border center and the urgent needs for maintenance and development of its facilities, where the team was briefed on the comprehensive plan to develop the center, and the capabilities available to implement the most urgent parts of it.
The government team included ministers: Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Al-Samen, Interior Mazen Al-Faraya, Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Al-Qudah, and Minister of Investment Tarek Abu Ghazaleh, in the presence of the General Director of Customs Major General Ahmad Al-Akkalik, Chairman of the Jordanian Free Zones Board Ayman Al-Mifalh, and Director of the Residency and Borders Department Brigadier Saed Al-Qatawneh, where the ministers confirmed the government’s commitment to developing all border crossings in a manner that matches Jordan's strategic location and its regional role as a main corridor for trade and transportation.
The attendees listened to the notes from the directors of the departments at the center to ensure the facilitation of cargo movement and travellers, and to enhance security and customs aspects, and to update infrastructure and build service buildings and modern facilities, inspection pathways, freight yards, and modern parking lots.
Abu Al-Samen said that the ministry had completed the final plans, as well as issued a tender for the execution of freight yards and initial inspection areas covering 65 dunams at a cost of 2.66 million dinars, in addition to an emergency tender valued at 950 thousand dinars to accelerate the development works.
He clarified that the project to develop the crossing was registered as a project eligible for partnership between the public and private sectors, which reflects the government's direction towards benefiting from the private sector's expertise in implementing strategic infrastructure projects.
He confirmed that the plan includes reorganizing the movement of freight and separating passengers from goods to facilitate flow and reduce congestion, in addition to expanding roads, pathways, and improving service facilities.
On his part, Al-Faraya confirmed that the Jaber center is one of the most important land crossings in the kingdom and a major hub for travel and trade with Syria and regional countries, emphasizing that the ministry works in coordination with relevant authorities to simplify crossing procedures without compromising security standards.
He added that his previous visits to the center resulted in the launch of new tenders to develop inspection yards and organize truck movements, confirming the ongoing follow-up to ensure the application of the highest standards of efficiency and readiness.
Meanwhile, Abu Ghazaleh emphasized that developing the center represents a strategic investment in Jordan's position as a regional hub for trade and logistical services, explaining that the project was officially adopted as a partnership between public and private sectors, opening the field for new economic and investment opportunities in the region.
He pointed out that improving the infrastructure and services at the crossing will contribute to enhancing the flow of goods and supporting the business environment in the kingdom, adding that the government aspires for the Jaber center, through its connection to the Mafraq development area, to be a gateway for the reconstruction of Syria, which is estimated to have future projects valued at about 240 billion dollars.
For his part, Al-Qudah explained that his ministry closely follows the development stages of the center due to its direct impact on exports and intra-trade, indicating that Jordanian exports to Syria increased by more than 400% during the first seven months of the current year.
He added that the Jordanian-Syrian joint free zone is witnessing a 100% increase in investments, necessitating high readiness in infrastructure and crossings to meet the growing volume of trade, especially with the resumption of trade activity between Syria and Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing.
The ministers confirmed at the end of the tour that the government is committed to supporting the project to develop the Jaber border center within a national vision to rehabilitate Jordanian crossings, enhancing the kingdom's position as a regional hub for trade, transport, and investment.
They emphasized that the crossings represent Jordan's first face to its visitors and trading partners, and that their development reflects the image of a modern state capable of achieving a balance between security, economic flow, and quality service for both citizens and visitors.
