Transport
From The Report: Jordan 2012
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The transport sector accounts for around 12% of GDP and 10% of the country’s workforce, according to figures cited by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in January 2012. The sector has traditionally been dominated by road infrastructure, with Aqaba’s seaport and air transport also playing an important role. The rail system is less developed, though the government is moving ahead with plans to expand and modernise rail networks. In aviation, extensive improvement plans are under way at two of the major airports. Furthermore, measures are now being taken to update Jordan’s transport legislation.
This chapter includes an interview with Ibrahim Naouri, Chairman of the Naouri Group; and Kjeld Binger, CEO of the Airport International Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Moving forward: Well-developed road and air networks compensate for a weak rail system
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Up to this point, Jordan’s transport sector has been dominated by road infrastructure, with the aviation network and the seaport at Aqaba also playing important roles. Though less well developed, the country’s rail network is now the focus of government-led modernisation and expansion plans. In addition to linking the existing rail lines, these plans aim to connect the Jordanian rail system to networks in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and Iraq, for which Jordan is an increasingly important…

Analysis

Changing times: Government strategy and regulatory reform
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At a time when parts of Jordan’s transport sector are struggling because of regional turmoil and the wider economic downturn, industry analysts say it is crucial to plan ahead and modernise the country’s legislative framework in preparation for better times. A number of such changes are under way, with the government working to reform outdated laws and implement strategies to support the sector’s growth. INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: On the strategy side, the government is looking at short-…

Interview

OBG talks to Ibrahim Naouri, Chairman, Naouri Group
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Interview: Ibrahim Naouri The overall efficiency of the transport network in Jordan has improved in recent years, but there are still some rules and regulations that need to be changed. For example, at present there is no way to expedite urgent shipments coming by road from Aqaba Port to Amman. Instead, a 48-hour waiting period is applied in all cases, and no priority lanes have been established. Moreover, there have been a number of trucker strikes at Aqaba Port that have threatened to impede operations.…

Interview

OBG talks to Kjeld Binger, CEO, Airport International Group (AIG)
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Interview: Kjeld Binger How has regional unrest affected the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) aviation industry? KJELD BINGER: There is simply no denying the impact of the Arab Spring on the region’s airline business. While other parts of the globe were focused on recovering from the economic downturn, the interwoven economies of the Arab world were drastically affected by political unrest in several countries. One consequence of regional turmoil was a sharp decrease in passenger traffic between…