MTCIT working on mega projects to stimulate national economy

Muscat – Announcing major development plans for 2022, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) said on Monday efforts are currently underway looking into the prospects of a metro service in Muscat, besides work on a causeway bridge in Masirah and a railway connection between Sohar and Khazaen Economic City in Barka.

Addressing the media at a press conference, H E Saeed al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said a committee has been formed for the metro project in Muscat. “The committee includes representatives of all relevant authorities.”

The press meet was also attended by H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaidani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology in MTCIT, and H E Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamkhi, Undersecretary for Transport in the ministry.

H E Maawali added that there are new projects under review, including a causeway bridge to link Masirah and a new road for Jabal Akhdar. “The ministry is also planning to organise the taxi and truck sectors this year. The ministry will establish special roads for trucks.”

Additionally, the ministry will launch a national platform to receive suggestions and complaints from people.

He confirmed that the performance indicators point towards an increase in direct import of containers in 2022 of about five per cent, while land and marine transport revenues increased ten per cent.

The minister also informed that the number of vessels received by Omani ports rose by 1.3 per cent, while TEU container handling grew by two per cent, and that four fuel stations will soon be opened on Batinah Expressway.

H E Shamkhi confirmed that a new investment in railways is currently being looked into to connect the logistical hubs of Sohar and Khazaen City. Another, which was announced earlier, will link Oman with Saudi Arabia.

H E Shamkhi noted that there are approximately 17,000km of unpaved roads compared to 16,000km of paved roads in the sultanate, “so it is necessary to work on strategic investment opportunities”.

The ministry will identify feasible locations to develop water taxi services in Muscat and Musandam. “A team from the Ministry of Transport will visit some governorates to discuss the establishment of projects like special pathways for bicycles,” he said.

National space policy on the anvil

H E Shaidani said work is underway to finalise a national space policy.

According to H E Shaidani, the ministry seeks to establish a space club, establish a section on space exploration in the Children’s Museum in Muscat, develop a document on space and astronomical concepts, and launch a platform that includes open satellite data in 2022.

The ministry also plans investment in cybersecurity services, apps and AI services, training nationals and honing the skills specialised in modern technologies.

“The government’s digital transformation programme for 2022 includes the launch of the first phase of a unified national portal project for e-government services, that will see the launch of 88 electronic services provided to citizens and the business sector. The ministry will also launch the Jadarah Initiative to facilitate access of government institutions and companies to locally developed technical products,” the undersecretary said.

Major achievements in road transport

The year 2021 saw the partial opening of the Adam-Haima-Thamrait dualisation project, opening of the Suwaiq-Hoqain dualisation project and the Rub al Khali carriageway opening door for social and economic integration between Oman and Saudi Arabia.