Salalah – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched the Wassel programme on Thursday to regulate and develop Oman’s express delivery sector, with focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency and sustainability.

The programme was launched at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah under the patronage of H E Dr Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology.

The launch highlighted the ministry’s efforts to develop the regulatory and operational environment for the sector, empower small and medium enterprises and national talent, and accelerate digital transformation.

The event also saw the launch of an electronic service to register commercial motorcycles and issue vehicle operating cards through the Naql platform, alongside announcement of a plan for the gradual transition to electric motorcycles for delivery services.

Ghaida bint Saeed Al Kiyumi, Senior Projects Specialist at the ministry, said the express delivery sector has become a key component of the digital economy and a major pillar supporting the growth of e-commerce.

She said the ministry, in cooperation with government agencies and the private sector, is working to build an integrated system to enhance the sector’s efficiency and competitiveness and improve the quality of services provided to consumers.

“Regulating the sector aims to streamline procedures and empower companies, creating a supportive environment for business growth, protecting consumers and enhancing companies’ ability to develop and compete,” she said.

Ghaida informed that the ministry’s efforts over the past year supported more than 40 SMEs and created more than 900 job opportunities for Omanis.

The efforts also included developing operating models, digitising procedures and promoting the use of data and modern technologies to save time, reduce operational burdens and improve quality and safety.

She said these results laid the foundation for a new phase in which the sector would move from regulation towards empowerment and from improving performance to establishing sustainable, long-term growth.

The electronic service on the Naql platform enables companies to register commercial motorcycles, link them to authorised drivers, verify company data, workforce permits and vehicle information, and track applications throughout the registration process.

The service is intended to replace multiple and fragmented procedures with a unified digital process.

Thuraya bint Habib Al Wahaibi, a logistics and sustainability specialist with the Zero Neutrality team at Oman Logistics Centre, outlined the plan to transition to electric motorcycles in express delivery services.

She said the project aims to make daily delivery services more efficient, safer and more sustainable.

The transition is expected to reduce emissions as well as energy and maintenance costs, while improving fleet efficiency and providing a smoother operating experience for drivers.