Alexandria-SANA
The 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council was held today, Tuesday, in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, with Syria's participation, to discuss the development of the Arab transport system and enhance connectivity between road, maritime, rail, and air transport networks, support intra-regional trade, and improve logistics services efficiency.
Syrian delegation head and Transport Minister Yarab Badr emphasized that the Syrian government prioritizes the development of the transport sector and infrastructure, given its role in enhancing trade exchange, transit, and Arab economic integration. He revealed the allocation of approximately $670 million from the government budget in 2027 to finance rapid rehabilitation and emergency works for a fundamental part of Syria's central road network.
Rise in Transit Traffic
The minister noted that Syria is working to restore its role as a regional hub for transport and transit, leveraging its geographical location and road networks connecting it to neighboring countries. He pointed out that the previous stage witnessed rapid development in strengthening cooperation relations between Syria and Arab countries, which reflected in increased transit traffic crossing Syrian territory, coming from Jordan and Iraq towards Turkey and Europe, reaching the Mediterranean Sea and the border with Lebanon.
He clarified that rehabilitation works are carried out through transparent external tenders, with the current phase awarded to specialized Arab companies from Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. He indicated efforts to prepare contracting arrangements with experienced Arab consulting firms to supervise the execution of these works, ensuring quality implementation and benefiting from advanced expertise in the region.
Grant to Reactivate Railways
In the railway sector, the minister revealed preparations to utilize a grant from the World Bank valued at $200 million to implement necessary reforms and priority emergency interventions to reactivate Syrian railway lines. He explained that restarting these lines would restore the role of railways in connecting regional countries and contribute to achieving transport system sustainability and reducing energy consumption.
He expressed Syria's hope to benefit from advanced Arab expertise in this field, particularly the experiences of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Morocco in developing and updating railway networks. He confirmed that these investments target rehabilitating a fundamental part of the central road network and improving its readiness to accommodate transport and trade exchange movements.
Digital Transformation and Arab Integration
The Transport Minister emphasized that digital transformation is a priority for the Syrian government across various ministries due to its role in improving infrastructure network management, developing transport services for citizens, facilitating procedures, and reducing costs. He stressed the importance of enhancing joint Arab action to integrate transport networks among Arab countries, considering it a fundamental entry point to achieving economic and social integration.
The agenda of the 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council, held at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, includes discussing agreements regulating passenger and cargo transport between Arab countries, the road safety strategy, alongside digital transformation, artificial intelligence applications, and sustainable transport. The session features participation from transport ministers, senior officials, experts, and representatives of Arab and international organizations and unions concerned with transport and logistics sectors.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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