Governance of Transport Corridors in OIC Member States:
Challenges, Cases and Policy Lessons
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6 Results Case Studies – Arab Group
This section presents the selected case study of the Arab group, i.e. the combined UN ESCWA-M40 and
Jordan Transit Corridor.
6.1 Case study UN ESCWA-M40 and Jordan Transit Corridor
6.1.1 Introduction
This case study concentrates on two corridors, i.e. the United Nations Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (UN ESCWA) East-West corridor (M40) and the Transit Corridor in Jordan,
connecting Aqaba to neighbouring countries (Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia). It should be noted
that due to regional conflicts, the borders between Jordan and its neighbouring countries are mostly
closed. Therefore, the international transport corridors in the region are currently not functioning. As
a result, the corridor governance aspects can hardly be analysed at an international level. However, it
is possible to look at corridor governance aspects from a national perspective. Hence the choice to visit
Jordan and to consider corridor governance both at an international scale, as well as from a national
perspective. This also explains why we have opted for a joint assessment of a transport corridor from
an international perspective (the UN ESCWA East-West corridor) and a national perspective (the
Jordan Transit Corridor). Emphasis in this combined case study is placed on the national perspective,
i.e. the Jordan Transit Corridor and the created governance structure related to Trade and Transport
Facilitation (TTF). Jordan was visited by Geert Smit in the period 5-8 November.
6.1.2 Objectives and political support
Objectives of transport corridors and main drivers
Developing transport corridors in Jordan is embedded in the national policy related to TTF. Opening
up the Jordanian economy to foreign trade and attracting Arab and foreign investment capital and
thereby making the country’s economy stronger are the objectives of TTF, according to the
Government of Jordan”37. The Government of Jordan has adopted TTF as a cornerstone of its policies
to expand trade and modernize the transport sector in continuous efforts to grow the economy.”38 The
Government of Jordan has found a partner in the form of the European Union, which has invested
money and designed policies and procedures to further this development.39
The following statements are made by the Government of Jordan related to its TTF policy”40:
 Lying at the crossroads of the major trade corridors in the Mashreq region, Jordan has a significant
potential to increase its level of trade. In order to face the myriad of complex issues involved in
achieving this goal, from to the discordance of rules and regulations across every border to adopting
the right mix of economic liberalization needed, Jordan has embarked on and been implementing
an ambitious but highly essential programme to modernize its transport system and enhance the
country’s trade competiveness;
 Extensive logistic networks, clear trade procedures and protocols, and support from public service
industries are required for trading operations to thrive, improving in the process the performance
of various sectors of the economy;
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