Muscat: In a joint forum held here on Thursday, the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reviewed the status of joint ventures and initiatives in the fields of transportation and logistics.
Eng Said Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology said that the forum reflects the visions of the two countries. It also comes 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.
Al Maawali added that the opening of the international carriageway connecting Oman and the KSA yielded direct outcomes as trade exchange since the beginning of 2022 hit 500,000 tonnes, while the number of travelling passengers reached more than 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, Eng Saleh Nasser al Jasser, KSA Minister of Transport and Logistic Services said that the forum explored areas of cooperation between Oman and the KSA.
The Saudi minister added that opening the international carriageway between the two countries has been paying off by increasing the number of pilgrims (visitors and Mecca and Medina) and boosting trade activity.
A seminar and B2B meetings were held on the sidelines of the forum with the participation of public and private establishments from both countries.
