Expectations to Reactivate the Jordan-Syria Free-Trade Zone before the End of 2021
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The Jordan-Syria Free Trade Zone constitutes a bridge between the ports of Tartus and Latakia in Syria and the port of Aqaba in Jordan.
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A picture of the Syrian Nassib border crossing, adjacent to the Jordanian border and the Free Trade Zone (Source: Sputnik)
A Jordanian official revealed the possible date for restarting the joint Jordan-Syria free-trade zone.
The zone, located in a ​​6,500,000 square meter area between Jordan and Syria, adjacent to the Jaber-Nassib border crossing, was closed in 2015 due to the deteriorating security situation and reopened on September 29 of this year.
Irfan Al-Khasawneh, the director-general of the zone, said in a press statement that "it will likely be reopened before the end of this year," noting that the security situation has improved."
Al-Khasawneh explained that "the zone will be ready to receive commercial freight hauls and for the transport of goods between the two countries."
Al-Khasawneh: Customs clearance work will be
The Jordanian official pointed out that the free-trade zone will again have customs clearance work and a number of factories, car showrooms, insurance companies, and various activities will be opened.
Al-Khasawneh revealed the reactivation of 560 operating contracts for previous investments located on an area of ​​1,500,000 square meters belonging to Jordanian, Syrian, Iraqi, Libyan, Indian, and other investors, while 5,000 investment contracts are also available for new investors.
He added: "Maintenance has been completed followed 10 months of efforts. What remains is the completion of the linking of the electronic [database] with supporting devices, and I believe it will be completed within days."
Regarding the security situation in the area, he announced that: "The security situation is great, and it is hoped that about two thousand people per day will benefit from the movement of trade," adding that inhabitants of the region on the Jordanian side will benefit from the zone, as well as a similar number of Syrians from the Daraa governorate. The numbers in total could reach an estimated 6,000 people from both sides.
3.5 million tons of goods worth $1.5 billion passed through the zone
The joint free trade zone constitutes a bridge to transport goods between the ports of Latakia and Tartous in Syria and the port of Aqaba in Jordan, according to Al-Khasawneh, that reaches Gulf countries and Iraq, indicating that before the closure, about 86,000 trucks crossed in both directions with a cargo load estimated at the time, 3.5 million tons worth $1.5 billion, with direct annual customs revenues estimated at 20 million Jordanian dinars annually.
The investments open in the free zone include105 automobile showrooms, a paper factory, a juice factory, a factory for heavy motor oils, commercial shipping yards, and other various economic activities.
It is noteworthy that the past few weeks witnessed intense meetings between officials from Syria and Jordan, to put the "final touches" on the logistical, technical, and security aspects of the free-trade zone.
The zone will be managed by the Syrian-Jordanian Free-Trade Zone Company. It enjoys joint sovereignty. It was looted by Syrian armed groups in April 2015.
