Oman to host international road transport meet with global trade leaders

Muscat: A partnership agreement to host the IRU World Congress on road transport in Muscat next year was signed on Tuesday between ASYAD, Oman’s national logistics Group, and global road transport association IRU.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre under the patronage of Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism.
The papers were signed by ASYAD CEO Eng. Abdulrahman bin Salem Al Hatmi, and IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto.
The IRU World Congress, to be held in Muscat from 6 to 8 November 2018, will bring together industry and government leaders from around the world to tackle transport and trade challenges in both goods and passenger transport.
Eng. Al Hatmi, ASYAD CEO said: “Having the World Congress in Oman for the first time, makes this event exceptionally important. The event not only serves as a welcome to the logistics sector but also allows more members of the government to meet and interact with industry leaders, thus strengthening the working relationship between them. We are honoured and proud to be partnering with IRU.”
Oman’s strategic location as a trade hub and its dynamic investment strategy to become the leading logistics leader over the coming years, both regionally and globally, makes it an ideal venue for engaging transport and trade leaders from around the world at the Congress.
“IRU is extremely pleased to be working together with ASYAD and the Omani government to bring the IRU World Congress to Muscat”, said Umberto de Pretto, IRU Secretary General.
“Our organisations share a common vision for the role of transport and trade in building prosperity, and we support Oman’s ambitions to become a world-class
player in logistics”.
Key topics on the Congress agenda will include logistics and intermodal freight, trade facilitation, innovation and technology, autonomous vehicles, digitalization of transport, road safety, and sustainability and the environment.
The selection of Oman to host the IRU World Congress was the result of a competitive bid, which highlighted the country’s modern transport, event and tourism infrastructure, its geopolitical role in the Gulf region and beyond, and its ambitious vision for growth in trade and the logistics sector.