(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN — Canada and Jordan on Monday announced a new collaboration on border security, during a ceremony held at Al Omari border crossing, a statement by the Canadian embassy said.
Brigadier General Gehad Sawaqed and Canadian Ambassador Peter MacDougall officially launched the construction of an inspection lab and a warehouse for Al Omari Customs Centre.
The facility will enable Jordanian customs officers to examine cargo that is destined or transiting through Jordan to ensure that no dangerous materials enter Jordan illegally, according to the statement.
This project builds on an ongoing Canadian engagement which began in 2015, totalling $6.3 million at Al Omari border crossing between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
It is part of the Canadian government's $2 billion commitment over three years, providing security, stabilisation, humanitarian and development assistance in response to the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on Lebanon and Jordan, according to the statement.
'Efficiency of customs services is key to security and prosperity. Better equipped customs can more effectively target high-risk goods without disrupting the flow of legitimate trade,' said MacDougall, as he highlighted the cooperation between Canada's counterterrorism and capacity building programme and the Jordanian Customs Department at Al Omari Customs Centre, according to the statement
Commending Canada's support to the Kingdom's security, Brigadier General Gehad Sawaqed said: 'A secure Jordan, with a vibrant economy, is essential to stability in the Middle East.'
'In February 2016, the government of Canada announced a whole-of-government strategy to support the Global Coalition's efforts against Daesh and to respond to the crises in Syria and Iraq,' MacDougall said, noting that 'this initiative is an example of how our country is joining efforts with our Jordanian counterparts to prevent insecurity and terrorism.'
Created in 2005, Canada's counterterrorism capacity building programme seeks to provide assistance to foreign states to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity through the provision of training, funding, equipment and technical and legal assistance, the statement concluded.
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