Jordan and Iraq plan to increase co-operation in the transport field, including through twinning Aqaba and Basra ports, the Jordan Times reported Saturday (April 7th).
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority chief commissioner Nasser Shraideh and Iraqi Transport Minister Kadhim al-Hammami discussed twinning Jordanian and Iraqi ports and opening an air freight route between Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport and Iraqi airports.
The two sides also went over means to conduct a feasibility study on the Asian railway network and improve truck shipping to reach Egypt, the Jordanian news agency, Petra, reported.
Shraideh highlighted the importance of using Aqaba as a gateway for Iraqi goods to enhance economic integration by using the Trebil border crossing and launching regular air freight routes between Aqaba and Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah and Basra to boost Iraqi tourism to Aqaba.
Jordan’s cabinet in February approved the framework agreement for the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline that will be signed between the Ministry of Energy and the Iraqi Oil Ministry.
The project aims to export Iraqi oil with the pipeline passing through Jordan while supplying the kingdom with some of its oil needs, and is expected to provide the kingdom with some 150,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
