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Jordan’s Ministry of Environment in partnership with GGGI holds 5th Private Sector Roundtable Discussion-Transport

Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohammad Al-Khashashneh On 25th Oct 2022, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, on behalf of the minister, GGGI concluded the 5th Private Sector Roundtable Discussion on the transport sector with representatives from the public and private sectors and development organizations. The roundtable was also patronized by H.E. Eng. Nadia Masalha, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Eng. Qais Qaqzeh, Director of Planning and Studies on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, and H.E. Eng. Ahmad Al-Malkawi, City Manager of Greater Amman Municipality.

The roundtable discussion was the 5th in a series supported by the Green Climate Fund Readiness project being implemented by GGGI on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and intended to foster and strengthen dialogue between the two sectors to overcome barriers to increased private sector participation in climate actions in Jordan.   The discussion aimed to discuss the challenges and needs of the private sector specifically tied to e-mobility and public transport to advance Jordan’s mitigation efforts and improved access to safe and reliable transport to improve livelihoods and access to economic opportunities.

  1. E. Dr. Al-Khashashneh opened the discussion and emphasized the importance of emission reduction by the transport sector as a driver to increasing the momentum to achieving Jordan’s newly updated NDCs. H.E. Eng. Nadia Masalha also pointed out the necessity to move toward e-mobility to reduce emissions and provide a better living environment, for citizens and residents of Jordan. She acknowledged that this would require significant improvements to infrastructure and financial and technical resources.  Therefore, coordinated national efforts from the public and private sectors are needed to support the transition to e-mobility in public transport. The Amman City Manager, representing the largest governate of Jordan also acknowledged that climate change is a major focus for the Greater Amman Municipality and that moving toward a quality eco-friendly transport system cannot happen without the private sector partnership.

Eng. Qais Qaqzeh, confirmed that the Ministry of Transport is in fact working closely with the private sector in the development of various projects including the Bus Rapid Transit and infrastructure rehabilitation project.  Government focal points lauded the efforts of GAM to introduce e-buses in the near future to the BRT as well in the Irbid- Zarqa bus project.  Charging infrastructure however must be developed to increase the number of e-buses in either network.

Private sector representatives raised various challenges including the need for more financial incentives in transport system electrification (e.g., tax and customs exemptions) on charging infrastructure and electric vehicles in particular.  They noted inconsistent signals such as short-term incentives make it difficult for them to do their part in supporting the transition.   Some of the companies represented were, JETT, Aqaba Terminal Container, CMA-CGM, Maersk, Hakaya for Transportation, Central Trade & Auto Co. Toyota, Careem and Ampere for Renewable Energy Co.  The government representatives promised to continue strengthening the enabling environment for private investment in e-mobility and noted the importance of the Ministry of Finance and Department of Customs to play a leading role to support both sectors.