Lebanese Republic 
Minister of Economy and Trade made a phone call with his Jordanian counterpart
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Eng. Yarub Qudah
Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, made today a phone call with his Jordanian counterpart, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Eng. Yarub Qudah, to discuss the latest developments in the new Syrian situation, in particular regarding the new measures taken for the import and export procedures through the land crossings concerning Lebanon and Jordan, especially that Jordan shares with Syria land borders extending over 375 km. Discussions also tackled issues of common interest to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the field of trade, investment and economy in addition to their support and development means in view of their importance on the Arab brotherly Countries, in general.
In this regard, Minister Salam started his phone call by conveying his thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King of Jordan, Abdullah II; and to the Jordanian Government and people for all the support provided to Lebanon, the Lebanese people and Government in addition to the Lebanese Army on all levels and thanked them for their supportive stances to Lebanon and its rights before the International and regional instances.
Furthermore, both Minister Salam and Qudah discussed the newest procedures implemented at the Jordanian Syrian borders, namely the Nassib Border Crossing or also known as Jaber Border Crossing, which is one of the two border crossings between Jordan and Syria and the one of the busiest border crossings being the main crossing for most of the exports between Syria and Lebanon as well as between Jordan and the Gulf. They also discussed the impact of the latest political developments on the Lebanese economy and trade after the lift of the restrictions, conditions and taxes that were imposed by the previous Syrian regime on the import, export and transit procedures through Syria; in addition to the suffering of the Lebanese farmers and merchants on various in this regard and in various fields, in a way that motivates the economic cycle and restores it to its prior prosperity as it once was among the brotherly Arab countries based from Lebanon, as the Middle East portal to the Mediterranean.
Minister Salam also underlined, during the phone call with his Jordanian counterpart, his Excellency Minister Yarub Qudah, the suffering of the Lebanese exporters, in particular the agriculturists due to the short term expiry date for the agricultural products, which caused the price collapse of fruits, citrus, bananas, avocado and custard apples. He also cited their complaints and the complaints of the shipping companies and traders who work in the export of agricultural products, merchandises and other Lebanese industries; stating that the reopening of the Jordanian Syrian border crossings constitutes a salvation for the agricultural, trade and economic sectors of all their crisis, for the cost of the land shipping is less than the half of the sea shipping in addition that the latter transports tons of products once while the land shipping provides the Arab markets with balanced quantities all over the year and not at one time the thing that affects the price. Moreover, Lebanese exports looked forward to the restoring of the land export to Jordan and Iraq and the liberalization from the financial tax that was imposed by the Syrian authorities on the Lebanese trucks, stating that if the export were mainly performed through legal crossings, then there will be no need any more for smuggling and the entrance of both valid or invalid products; for nowadays, all products are being transported via the Masnaa border crossing where they are subject to relevant tests. Minister Salam also hoped that the Arab countries will open their borders for the Lebanese agricultural and industrial products after the recent developments.
In his turn, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Eng. Yarub Qudah that the Jordanian Government works under the directives of His Majesty King of Jordan, Abdullah II to provide all possible support to the Syrian and Lebanese brothers; stating that the implementation of such procedures contribute in accelerating the products and goods’ transportation to and from Lebanon and Syria, intensifying efforts exerted to meet the needs of our Syrian and Lebanese brothers of basic commodities, facilitating the exchange process and the commercial transportation adding that he already directed the competent authorities and bodies to take all the necessary measures in order to facilitate the movement of Syrian and Lebanese goods through Jordan as well as to accelerate the entry and exit of the trucks and cargos to Syria and Lebanon and vice versa toward other countries according to arrangements related to the export; underlying the need to address the challenges that encounter the trucks and cargos that are exchanged during the closure of crossings’ period. Minister Qudah also added that a huge number of trucks were able to cross Jordan through the Syrian territories headed to Lebanon with the keenness of the Jordanian Kingdom to meet the needs for goods of the Lebanese brothers.
Moreover, discussions tackled the cooperation relations between the two countries, especially in the field of economic development and the importance of opening new horizons for the companies and enterprises in the Jordanian and Lebanese market.
In his turn, the Jordanian Minister, Eng. Yarub Qudah thanked Minister Amin Salam for playing an economically Arab inclusive role, stressing his cooperation for the interest of Jordan and Lebanon within the inclusive Arab fold. He also addressed an invitation to Minister Salam to visit Jordan and conduct an inspection tour to check the Nassib Border Crossing to follow up closely the movement of the Lebanese trucks crossing toward Jordan and the Arab countries.
Minister Salam also expressed his sincere appreciation for this gracious invitation and confirmed he will accept this invitation and valued the Jordanian efforts exerted to accelerate the procedures of the trade exchange in addition to overcome difficulties that may encounter them. He also expressed satisfaction for the measures implemented at the borders in addition to the importance of the continuous communication between Amman and Beirut during these radical changes in the region. In his turn, Minister Salam addressed an invitation to the Jordanian Minister to visit Lebanon.
