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The Omani government has announced its intention to set up a new, dedicated organisation, called the Oman Logistics Centre (OLC), to manage and coordinate the development of a logistics strategy in Oman. In view of the ‘pressing need to realise the logistics strategy within a short time frame,’ the OLC will commence work before the end of March, and will initially operate from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
The setting up of OLC follows the findings of a task force set up by the Supreme Council for Planning in 2013, and which included ten Omani executives from government, academia and the private sector, supported by internationally renowned experts in the field of logistics.
The OLC will focus its efforts on four key areas identified by the task force: trade facilitation, technology, education and markets. The OLC’s key responsibilities include implementing a logistics strategy, to make logistics a core economic driver for the Oman economy; to encourage the private sector to invest in and develop logistics competencies in Oman; to administer, improve and develop the logistics sector in accordance with international best practice; set standards and ensure that these are maintained and continually improved through clear and transparent processes; and to encourage and support the adoption of logistics technology within both government and the private sector.
According to a spokesperson for the task force, the logistics strategy is ‘somewhat unique,’ in that it is not dependent on large capital investment projects, but instead focuses on ‘soft’ processes, which by their very nature cut across individual government and business entities.
The report states that Oman’s existing port infrastructure at Sohar, Salalah and Duqm are sufficient to meet the strategy’s ambition. Investment in Oman Rail, and ongoing investment in airports and roads, also has the potential to open up ‘substantial’ new opportunities for logistics in Oman, it suggests.
The Sultanate of Oman believes it is well positioned to play an important and leading role in logistics in the Indian Ocean and as a gateway to the Arabian Gulf. A statement said that, “Logistics encompasses a very wide range of activities that are needed to move goods quickly and efficiently and this includes shipping, aviation, roads, ports, warehousing, rail which must be co-ordinated to ensure that cargo is moved with the minimum of delay or cost. It is essential that government processes and procedures are carefully integrated to facilitate the movement of cargo.”
