The Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) held a dialogue session titled “The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: How Can We Strengthen Jordan’s Strategic Position as an Economic Hub for Regional Connectivity?” to discuss the opportunities emerging economic corridors offer Jordan and the requirements for enhancing the Kingdom’s readiness to capitalize on them, in line with the objectives of the Economic Modernisation Vision. The session was sponsored by Aqaba Digital City and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC).
The session brought together former Prime Minister and Senator Omar Razzaz; former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati; EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas; ADC Chief Executive Officer Hussein Safadi; Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Chairman Shadi Al Majali; Aqaba Digital CEO Iyad Abu Khorma; alongside a number of private-sector representatives, experts, and economic stakeholders.
Chairman of the Jordan Strategy Forum’s Board of Trustees, Sharif Fares Sharaf, stressed that economic corridors have become among the key forces reshaping the global trade and investment landscape. He noted that the Forum seeks to anticipate strategic economic shifts and bring them to the national dialogue agenda at an early stage, helping Jordan strengthen its readiness to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
He added that the real value of these initiatives lies in Jordan’s ability to establish itself as an economic hub for regional connectivity and transform its strategic geographic position into added economic value that supports investment and strengthens the competitiveness of the national economy.
JSF Executive Director Nisreen Barakat presented the Forum’s key findings from its analysis of global economic corridors, noting that these corridors are no longer limited to transportation. Instead, they have evolved into integrated ecosystems combining trade, energy, digital infrastructure, investment, and industrial cooperation, reshaping global trade flows and value chains.
Barakat explained that the analysis showed Jordan’s greatest opportunity does not lie in connecting to a single economic corridor but in adopting the concept of “economic corridor integration” by leveraging the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor alongside the Jordan–Syria–Türkiye transport initiative. This approach would strengthen the resilience of the national economy, expand trade and investment options, and reduce the risks associated with dependence on a single route.
She added that maximizing Jordan’s benefits requires a long-term national strategy for economic connectivity, directing investment in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to serve multiple corridors simultaneously. This should be supported by stronger institutional and regulatory frameworks, as well as enhanced partnerships with the private sector and international financial institutions, turning Jordan’s geographic position into tangible economic value.
Razzaz noted that the world is witnessing a fundamental shift in the concept of global trade and supply chains. Efficiency and cost reduction are no longer the sole determinants of trade networks; resilience, crisis preparedness, and the ability to establish multiple alternatives have become increasingly important amid rapidly changing geopolitical conditions.
He pointed out that recent crises, from the Russia–Ukraine war and tensions in the Red Sea to developments in the Strait of Hormuz, have demonstrated that relying on a single route or transit point is no longer a sustainable option.
Razzaz said the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor should not be viewed as a standalone project, but rather as an evolving concept shaped by the countries of the region. It forms part of a broader network of interconnected economic corridors that can provide multiple alternatives, strengthen the resilience of global trade flows, and reduce risks.
He also stressed the importance of Jordan being a partner in shaping these transformations and initiatives, rather than merely serving as a transit country, while leveraging the opportunities they create to strengthen productive linkages and enhance the competitiveness of the national economy.
Zawati stressed that recent geopolitical developments have highlighted that energy security is inseparable from economic security. She noted that diversifying energy transportation routes is no longer an option but a necessity shaped by regional and global developments.
She explained that Jordan has the capabilities to play a central role in this area through electricity interconnection projects, gas and oil pipelines, as well as promising opportunities in renewable energy and green hydrogen. Investment in these areas, she said, would strengthen energy security while opening new avenues for investment and development.
Chatzisavas said the European Union views Jordan as a gateway and regional hub, and above all as a key partner in ongoing discussions on strengthening regional connectivity. He noted that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz underscores the importance of reducing risks and reliance on strategic chokepoints, reinforcing the need to build a “network of networks” connecting Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
He added that strengthening regional connectivity, particularly in transport, energy, and digitalisation, will be at the heart of the upcoming Jordan–EU Investment Conference, scheduled for November under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This reflects Jordan’s importance as a key partner in advancing regional economic integration.
Safadi affirmed that Aqaba has advanced infrastructure capable of attracting investments linked to economic corridors. He highlighted the completion of the Aqaba–Ma’an–Amman railway project as a pivotal step toward connecting Aqaba Port with regional transport networks and strengthening Jordan’s readiness to capitalize on the investment opportunities created by these projects.
Al Majali said Aqaba has demonstrated its ability to efficiently respond to shifts in trade flows during regional crises, absorbing increases in shipping, storage, and re-export activity. He stressed that enhancing the operational readiness of ports and logistics services remains a priority for ensuring the continuity of regional supply chains.
Abu Khorma highlighted that digital infrastructure has become a fundamental pillar of modern economic corridors. He noted that Jordan has a strategic opportunity to become a regional digital connectivity hub through the development of data centres, fibre-optic networks, and submarine cables, supporting the digital economy and enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness to technology investments.
He added that realizing this opportunity requires an enabling regulatory environment, access to financing tools, and an integrated digital ecosystem that allows the private sector to lead investments related to the digital economy.
The session concluded with an extensive discussion among speakers and participants on the opportunities emerging economic corridors offer Jordan and the key challenges associated with them. Participants emphasized the importance of adopting an integrated national vision focused on maximizing Jordan’s strategic location, strengthening integration across transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, and expanding regional and international partnerships. Such efforts would help reinforce Jordan’s position on the regional and global trade and investment map, strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy, and support sustainable growth.
