Jordan announces official re-opening of Nasib border with Syria

AMMAN - The Jordanian government said a key border crossing with Syria was officially re-opened on Monday, state-run Petra news agency reported.

The opening time of the Jaber-Nasib Border Crossing is from 8 am (0600 GMT) until 4 pm, Petra cited the government as saying in a statement.

Under a deal between the two countries to re-open the crossing, Jordanians can enter Syria driving cars or trucks, while Syrian public vehicles can enter Jordan and return.

However, Syrians wishing to enter Jordan need a security clearance in advance.

Nael Kabariti, president of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, said it is a long-awaited and much-needed step to help business recovery as Syria is a major market for Jordan.

The annual trade between Syria and Jordan exceeded 600 million dinars (846 million US dollars), he noted.

"I expect a modest trade exchange at the beginning but in the next few months volumes are expected to increase," Kabariti told Xinhua.

In 2015, Jordan closed the Nasib Border Crossing with Syria for security concerns, while the Ramtha-Daraa Border Crossing with the war-torn country has been closed for more than five years.

The closure of the two border crossings caused heavy losses for Jordanian industries and business as Syria is a big market for Jordanian products and a gateway for Jordan's exports to Turkey and Europe.