Oman to expand, enhance transportation infrastructure

Oman Transport and Communications Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi recently said Omani leaders have launched plans to expand the country’s transportation infrastructure to bolster non-oil-based trade activity.

"Oman has invested heavily in hard infrastructure in the transport sector," Al Futaisi said. "Now, we are focusing on the soft infrastructure of the sector with an eye on trade facilitation and improving the ease of doing business."

Al Futaisi relayed that Oman’s seaside ports, road systems and aviation channels stand to improve measurably with “billions of rials” invested into the respective modes. He described the strategy as supportive of private enterprise and the relations between public and private sectors.

"The Omani government is working to liberalize the transport and logistics sector and to foster more competition in the market," Al Futaisi said. "We are … bringing in private companies through the licensing of some of the sector services such as a new budget airline, second ground handler in the airports, cargo handling, etc."

Oman’s economic transition is being documented by the Dubai- and London-based Oxford Business Group (OBG), which plans to publish The Report: Oman 2017 as a look into the sultanate’s progress as it endeavors to diversify its resources while maintaining its mining industry connections.