MUSCAT: Oman welcomed to the foreign investment in logistics in the Sultanate, said a senior official at Port of Sohar. The countries that are still interested in making investments in this sector despite the overall economic global situation are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, India, China and Brazil.
Speaking at a press conference held to announce the 2nd GCC Supply Chain and Logistic Conference, Andre Toet, the port’s chief executive officer, noted that efforts are underway to ‘lure’ countries which are keen to invest in logistics in the Middle East into Oman.
Toet noted that the new ‘focused’ marketing campaign of Port of Sohar is targeting these countries.
He also said that Oman should benefit more from its strategic position and try to attract more foreign investment through trade facilitation.
Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, undersecretary for ports and maritime affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said that the government has made good progress in developing its infrastructure and plans to focus more on the recently developed ‘Sultanate of Oman Logistic Strategy 2040’.
He also noted that lower oil prices will lead to further focus on logistics as a contributor to economic diversification and creation of employment opportunities.
Echoing a similar view, Jan. H. Meijer, advisor at the Supreme Council for Planning, said that this sector is the main employer of workers and currently more than 30,000 are working in logistics in Oman.