Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
90
On the issue of training for members, this is generally fact-based, so it often does not have the
necessary impact. Members need to gain greater knowledge of certain subjects.114
Regarding meetings, there should be better monitoring of problems and situations addressed by the
committee. In this way, the committee can have better flow of information.115 In order to improve the
Work Program, specific goals have to be set through Memoranda of Understanding. With the current
plan, there is a lack of clarity on the cooperation issue.116
Also, despite the proper development of the committee, it does not have a high media profile. Wider
dissemination of its achievements and development may reach new players. 117
Main Achievements
A Technical Assistance program was launched and included the following:
Logistics Efficiency Improvements Study of Aqaba Port to determine logistic congestion and develop
practical solutions thereof based on a study of the top ten containerized goods, including two goods
flowing to Aqaba through Genoa port. The study was completed in July 2013. ECHO Port Pilot Project
study for the application of “Environment Management System” in Aqaba Container Terminal during
2013, through the application of an evaluation plan of environmental aspects and effects at the port
level and presenting practical recommendations for procedures and arrangements required for
joining environmentally friendly international ports.
Many different regional, technical, and training workshops have been held.118
Future Plans
Jordan is an excellent example of knowing how to make an NTFB sustainable. As any other
organization, it has suffered challenges, but stakeholders have created the environment to overcome
them. Undoubtedly, the human factor has played a tremendous role where all stakeholders work
actively together and cooperate within themselves to find agreeable solutions to tackle their
problems.
Jordan will be developing a modern, reliable freight railway network linking the nation’s key cities
(the national capital Amman, and major industrial cities such as Mafraq and Zarqa), the country’s
gateway port (the Port of Aqaba), and the largest phosphate mine (Shidiya Mine). The network will
also connect with the railways of Saudi Arabia and Syria (and onward to Turkey and Europe in the
future), as well as important markets in Iraq.119
114 Captain Mothamen Dalabieh, op. cit.
115 Ms. Hana Urandi, op. cit.
116 Ibid
117 Ibid
118
119