Syria and Jordan Sign 46 Deals, Incl. $47M Road Upgrade

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced the signing of 46 cooperation agreements and documents between Syria and Jordan, at a press conference in Damascus with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi. The package comprises 35 agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council meetings, plus 11 documents signed on the day of the conference, covering memoranda, executive programmes and protocols across several sectors.

Bilateral Trade

Al-Shaibani stated that trade between the two countries roughly tripled within one year to reach $330 million, pointing to strong indicators of continued growth this year.

Crossing and International Road

Al-Shaibani disclosed an understanding with Jordan to develop the Jaber-Nasib crossing into a model gateway operating around the clock. The plan includes:

• Separate lanes for trucks and travellers
• Adoption of electronic customs linkage
• Approval of rehabilitating the international road between the two countries at a cost of $47 million

The land transport corridor carries goods and trade, leaving room for supporting services along it, including warehouses, shipping centres and logistics services.

Joint Economic City and Free Zone

The understandings include a study on establishing a joint economic city on the Syrian-Jordanian border, a project that may require land development, infrastructure and commercial, service and logistics facilities. They also cover modernising the free zone and activating the joint business council.

Transport and Other Sectors

Al-Shaibani noted the signing of a rail connectivity memorandum paving the way for a regional corridor linking Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria through to Turkey. The agreements also included:

• Memoranda on investment and civil aviation
• A protocol on food security and supplies
• A memorandum on cloud seeding in the Yarmouk River basin
• An executive programme for grants and scientific exchange

Steps Required for Implementation

Turning these opportunities into actual real estate development projects depends on completing studies and executive plans and determining investments and implementation mechanisms.