Rail line to keep Oman on track: Tanfeedh

Muscat: Developing rail connectivity in Oman is needed to unlock additional trade and economic activities, Tanfeedh has proposed.
As part of the proposal, Tanfeedh has put forward a plan to set up a 337km-long rail connectivity between Duqum and Shuwaemiya.
According to Tanfeedh, currently, there is a lack of cost-effective transportation infrastructure to link Oman to the region. Transportation links are also missing to link mineral-rich areas to seaports.
The rail road will be moving an estimated 50million tons of limestone per year and the same for gypsum.
Non-oil exports have gone down by 24 per cent this year in Oman and this rail system will help increase that number by creating easier and more direct routes, according to the think tank for Oman.
The leader of the logistics lab Suleiman Al Shaqsi believes that natural resources are the future of the country.
"Oman in the only GCC country that has Gabbro (a mineral) , which is needed to build. With the rail system, we can export that mineral to other countries,” Al Shaqsi said.
Tanfeedh has unveiled 121 proposals to the public this morning are the results of a series of “labs” where public and private sector bosses cut through the red tape of Oman to create a road map for the Sultanate’s future.
These initiatives are the result of six weeks of discussions attended by more than 250 officials from 160 government and private institutions at Tanfeedh.
The Tanfeedh process is Oman’s solution to issues surrounding a non-oil future for the Sultanate, bringing together private and public sector agencies to streamline doing business in the country and to iron out problems.
From 9am until 9pm over the next three days, thousands of residents are expected to pour through the doors of Oman’s new convention centre to give their feedback.
Talal Sulaiman Al Rahbi, deputy secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Planning, said that both Omanis and non-Omanis can participate in the survey, which will contribute to shaping the economic future of Oman.
“People can participate in the survey at an exhibition. They can take part in the survey online. Both Omanis and non-Omanis can participate in the survey, which will contribute to shaping the economic future of Oman,” the official said.