Three Days of Talks in Amman
A Syrian Transport Ministry delegation led by Deputy Minister Muhammad Rahal held three days of technical meetings in Amman, Jordan, from 15 to 17 June 2026, focused on reviving the country's railways and wider transport network. Transport Minister Yarub Badr said the talks aimed to overhaul infrastructure worn down by years of conflict.
The sessions were described as technical rather than ceremonial, addressing the practical steps needed to bring damaged lines and corridors back into service.
World Bank Re-engagement
The meetings brought Syrian officials together with the World Bank to discuss what were called urgent railway rehabilitation projects. The lender is weighing support for infrastructure that has seen little investment during the war years.
The contact marks a further step in renewed engagement between Damascus and international financial institutions on reconstruction-related work, a process closely watched by businesses and investors.
French Shipping Giant in Talks
In parallel, the ministry said it is negotiating with French shipping company CMA-CGM on a container transport service. The proposed network would connect the Mediterranean port of Latakia with inland "dry ports" planned for Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus.
Such an arrangement would route containerized cargo from the coast to interior hubs, easing pressure on road haulage and shortening the journey for imported and exported goods.
A Logistics Bridge Ambition
Officials framed the broader objective as positioning Syria as a "logistics bridge between Europe and the Gulf," combining railway, road, and port upgrades into a single corridor. The stated aims include shorter delivery times, lower transport costs, and a revival of regional trade flowing through the country.
Still at the Negotiation Stage
No financing figures, contract values, or signed agreements were announced, and the projects remain under discussion. The outcome will depend on whether the talks convert into binding commitments and funding in the months ahead.