Tuesday 21 / May / 2024
Muscat: Investment opportunities in Oman’s transportation sector have increased after the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) opened up more areas for potential investors in the country.
Among the most interesting areas of investment when it comes to land transportation are a proposed land bridge to connect Masirah Island to the Omani mainland and the country’s upcoming railway network, which will boost connectivity and accessibility. Other opportunities for investment are the Amerat A’Tayeen road and an alternative route to connect Jabal Akhdar to South Al Batinah.
Truckers-only roads
Plans have also been drawn up to lay truckers-only roads between Salalah and Thumrait and Maabela and Thamid. The ministry also aims to monitor the weights of trucks travelling on the country’s roads.
Eight ports are also open for investors: Khasab, Shinas, Shaleem, Shannah, Masirah, Manji, Sadah and Dhalkut. The ministry is also exploring a number of development plans, including a pier dedicated to the export of rocks and minerals and marinas for yachts. Studies will be conducted to review and evaluate the infrastructure of ports and evaluate their current condition. The plans of the MTCIT were unveiled during a press conference to announce its plans for 2022 as well as to take stock of the work done in 2021.
“The ministry looks forward to maximising the benefit of the logistics system and developing sectors that can be developed for economic benefit in Oman, especially maritime affairs and road transport, in addition to digital economy, as these sectors are the most likely to grow,” said Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
Road transport and logistics
To improve Oman’s logistics capabilities, the country’s existing logistics corridors will be strengthened and new ones will be added.
A dual link road will connect North Batinah to Al Buraimi and Al Dhahirah, while the roads that connect Oman’s border crossings with the rest of the country will also be made more efficient. To ensure more shipments to Oman without congesting the existing border crossings, more land ports of entry will also be established. Duqm, considered the heartbeat of Oman’s non-oil future, will also receive better connectivity with the rest of the country’s road network.
The road network in Oman is also considered a key element of its ties with Saudi Arabia, following the opening of the strategic Empty Quarter road and border crossing.
“This is one of the major achievements of the transport and logistics sector, as it paves the way for new prospects of social integration on the one hand and economic logistics integration between Oman and Saudi Arabia on the other,” said the MTCIT.
“This is owing to… logistics facilities, ports, free zones and airports in both countries.”
Similar to the ministry’s logistics upgrade plan, a similar one has been drawn up for key tourist sites in the country. Areas such as Wadi Bani Khalid, Tiwi, Wakan Village, Al Hamra, Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams are all in line for better linkages via road.
The government also intends to repair the damage caused to roads by Cyclone Shaheen, which battered parts of North Al Batinah last year. The Batinah dual carriageway, as well as roads in Wadi Al Jahawar, Wadi Al Hawasna, Wadi Al Qunoot and Wadi A’Sarami are all in line for repairs and upgrades.
Roads damaged by other adverse weather events such as Cyclone Luban and Cyclone Mekunu will also be improved.
The ministry also laid down plans for regular maintenance of dirt and asphalt roads that make up the country’s network to ensure there is no disruption in the flow of goods and people across the country.
Maintenance of roads
Tenders are to be issued for specialised fields of maintenance such as the painting of road surfaces, removing sand dunes that form on roads and repair of safety railings and signboards. Moreover, Oman also aims to improve the quality of public transportation by setting up a ground transportation control centre, raising the service quality of taxis, building rest areas on major roads and setting up integrated transfer stations for people to easily switch between modes of transport when required.
To make Omani nationals more inclined to pursue a career in transport, the attractiveness of the transportation sector will also be raised.
“There is a trend towards allocating many services to the private sector,” said Minister Al Maawali. “This includes new roads for trucks. There is also talk of new land ports, especially at places near the border. These ports will form the nucleus for the growth of new economic zones.”
