Karwa Motors to manufacture electric buses in the future

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, JUNE 26

Karwa Motors — formally inaugurated on Thursday at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZAD) — is suitably designed and equipped to manufacture electric buses in the future, according to a key official.

A partnership of Qatar’s Mowasalat (70 per cent) and Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the plant will also stimulate investments in small and medium enterprises that are focused on manufacturing automotive components and spares for the project, said Dr Ibrahim bin Ali al Balushi, CEO — Karwa Motors.

Speaking to ONA, Dr Al Balushi said the plant’s quality control capabilities ensure the production of high-standard buses targeted at local, GCC and Gulf markets.

While around 25 per cent of the plant’s output is earmarked for the local market, Karwa Motors is also participating in tenders for the supply of buses for government and quasi-government entities operating in the Sultanate of Oman. To this end, the company is working with a number of bus suppliers to help meet the needs of customers, he said.

Covering an area of 568,000 sq metres, the Karwa Motors plant — set up with an investment of $71 million — includes a number of workshops and storage areas. Assembled buses built to GCC standards proudly bear the ‘Made in Oman’ label.