Transport Ministers Discuss Trade Facilitation in the Middle East

The 7th IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference, Ministerial Meeting and Co-ordination meeting of International Organisations and Financial Institutions will take place in Amman, Jordan, on 12-13 June 2013, attracting trade and transport stakeholders from the political and business spheres around the theme “Road Transport: Driving Regional and Intercontinental Trade”.

The 7th edition of the IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference [http://www.iru.org/en_7ea-programme ], organised under the high patronage of His Majesty King Abdalla II of Jordan, in cooperation with the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan (RACJ), on the theme “Road Transport: Driving Regional and Intercontinental Trade”, will be held on 12-13 June 2013 in Amman, Jordan.

This interactive networking Conference aims to find concrete answers to key challenges
to international road transport operations on the Eurasian landmass, from the Far-East to Western Europe, with a particular focus on the Middle East region. Indeed, fast growing economies of the Middle East have a crucial role to play as logistics hubs strategically located at crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe. Smooth trade flows are instrumental in driving economic growth and integration at regional and global level.

An international panel, combining the expertise of high level representatives from the
World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), will explore how to facilitate and further develop Euro-Asian Road Transport.

RACJ President, Walid Asfour, stresses: “Jordan’s strategic location at the crossroads
between the East, West and South offers untapped potential to significantly develop the trade potential not only of Jordan, but of the Middle East and beyond. Given the important stakes at hand, I would encourage all to join us in Amman for the 7th Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference in June.”

A Ministerial meeting will take place in parallel to the IRU Conference, where
Transport Ministers will seek and coordinate the appropriate measures to revive the
ancient Silk Road routes in the region, which were used as main transport and trade
arteries over 700 years ago. The Ministers will attend the opening and closing sessions of the Conference.

For the second time in IRU Euro-Asian Conference history, a meeting of high level
representatives from international organisations and financial institutions will
coordinate respective actions to further develop road transport infrastructure and
facilitate international trade flows by road in the Middle East to boost economic growth
and support prosperity and social stability across the region.

IRU president, Janusz Lacny, highlights: “The once forgotten ancient Silk Road routes
are of crucial importance for the flow of trade and road transport in our modern times.
The revival of these arteries will allow road transport to efficiently connect every
business to all major world markets and will contribute to the further economic
development, prosperity and ultimately peace in the Middle East region.”

Want to experience the cutting edge in international transport facilitation and
security and be inspired by top keynoters, exclusive briefings, insightful debates and
fruitful networking? Join some 600 leading transport and trade delegates to discover
challenges, practical solutions and win-win opportunities in facilitating and secure trade
by international road transport across the Middle East!

– Conference programme [http://www.iru.org/en_7ea-programme ]
– Online registration [http://www.iru.org/en_7ea_registration ]
– Highlights of previous IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conferences
[http://www.iru.org/en_pastevent_euroasian ]