Muscat – A forum between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held on Thursday reviewed the status of joint ventures and initiatives in the fields of transportation and logistics.

H E Said Hamoud al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that the forum reflected the visions of the two countries.

“It came within the framework of implementing the directives of the two countries’ leaderships to augment cooperation in terms of logistic connectivity, as well as economic and social drive,” the Minister explained.

H E Ma’awali added that the opening of the Oman-Saudi highway has shown positive outcome as trade exchange since the beginning of 2022 has touched 500,000 tonnes, while the number of travellers crossed 130,000.

He also pointed out that there are several initiatives underway by the two countries in the fields of maritime transport, land transport and logistics. An initial feasibility study was discussed on setting up a railway connecting the two countries.

On his turn, Saleh Nasser al Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, said that the forum explored areas of cooperation between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi minister added that opening the international carriageway between the two countries has been paying off by increasing the number of pilgrims (visitors to Mecca and Medina) and boosting trade.

A seminar and B2B meetings were held on the sidelines of the forum with the participation of public and private establishments from both countries.