logo
Strategic pacts to strengthen port infrastructure and expand services

Strategic pacts to strengthen port infrastructure and expand services

Observer04-05-2025

Muscat: Asyad Group, global integrated logistics provider, reaffirmed its pivotal role in shaping the Sultanate of Oman's logistics future through its active participation in the Logistics Day 2025 organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. The Group continues to deliver on its mandate to enhance Oman's global competitiveness, leveraging its integrated solutions, sustainable initiatives, and strategic partnerships to create a resilient, investor-friendly logistics ecosystem aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
During the event, Asyad presented a paper titled 'Asyad's Role in Empowering Oman's Logistics Sector: Growth, Resilience, and Opportunities, ' highlighting the pillars of its comprehensive strategy to develop a globally connected logistics network, expand its footprint across international markets, empower local private-sector players, and unlock opportunities for Omani talent. The presentation also shed light on the Group's 2024 milestones: a pivotal year marked by its first international acquisition. This move expanded Asyad's operational presence to over 90 locations worldwide and underscored its sustained financial and operational growth driven by innovation and excellence.
Further supporting port development and value-added services, Asyad Ports and Freezones signed an agreement with O Bunkering Company to deliver bunker fuel services at Sultan Qaboos Port, enhancing Oman's maritime readiness and attracting new commercial activities.
Reinforcing its commitment to growth and innovation, SOHAR Port and Freezone signed three major agreements to support the development of its LNG terminal. The port partnered with WSP Middle East – Oman for engineering consultancy and project management services, Boskalis for dredging 3.8 million cubic meters of marine material, and Six Construct for constructing the LNG jetty and coastal protection infrastructure.
SOHAR Port and Freezone also earned national recognition at the Ministry's Logistics Best Practices Awards. The 'Marasi' Port Management System won first place in the Continuous Improvement and Innovation category after achieving 90% digitalization in maritime operations and reducing paperwork by 85% through smart operating tools. The port also secured second place in the Net Zero category for pioneering the use of biodiesel produced from recycled cooking oil, in marine tugboats, a first for any port in the Middle East.
Demonstrating its commitment to enhancing urban mobility integration, Mwasalat signed two strategic agreements. These included a first-and-last-mile service development initiative connecting micro-mobility to public transport in select higher education institutions Muscat and Salalah in partnership with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences; and an agreement to develop an integrated public transport station in North Al Batinah in coordination with the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah. These efforts aim to boost urban mobility efficiency and contribute to broader sustainability objectives.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Opinion- Strengthening the MSX is a national imperative
Opinion- Strengthening the MSX is a national imperative

Observer

timean hour ago

  • Observer

Opinion- Strengthening the MSX is a national imperative

The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) is working to strengthen the institution's activities to position it among the region's financial markets in the coming period and to attract more investments to the Omani capital market. Recently, the MSX, in cooperation with the Gulf Capital Markets Association (GCMA), hosted a financial conference attended by several prominent figures in the financial and investment sectors. The conference focused on discussing the most prominent challenges and opportunities facing the region's financial markets in light of current economic and technological changes, and ways to develop a more efficient and attractive investment environment. The goal of this activity was to enhance the position of the Omani capital market, making it an advanced financial center, and to provide an integrated investment environment in line with international best practices. The question raised in this regard is related to the causes required to make the Muscat Stock Exchange an attractive market for domestic and foreign investments, and to understand the challenges facing the market at this stage. There are several factors that can be worked on to improve the stock market's operations and make it more attractive, including diversifying investment instruments and developing and expanding trading mechanisms and securities, such as providing investment funds and new financial instruments to increase diversity and attract a larger segment of investors. It is also crucial to enhance transparency and corporate governance standards and implement international standards to ensure the protection of investor rights and reduce risks. Furthermore, it is important to improve the systems and technologies used in trading to provide a faster and safer environment, while relying on financial technology (FinTech), facilitating procedures, reducing bureaucracy, and improving registration and approval procedures to make the market more flexible and responsive to investor demands. Finally, it is important to raise awareness about investment opportunities and the importance of sustainability and social responsibility to attract investors who focus on these standards. In addition, it is important to encourage foreign direct investment, issue legislation that encourages foreign investors, and provide incentives and facilitation for market entry. The Omani stock market faces several challenges, including a lack of liquidity and weak trading volume, which reduces its attractiveness and limits investors' ability to enter and exit easily. It also relies heavily on changes occurring in the oil and energy sector, making the market vulnerable to global economic fluctuations. Some believe there is a need to further improve governance and disclosure standards, increase investor confidence, and close legislative gaps that could lead to uncertainty or reduce investment incentives. They also believe there is a need to increase the number of financial institutions and related services to provide adequate investment support tools and mechanisms. It is also important to enhance financial literacy and raise awareness of the importance of long-term investment and sustainability. The market must have a comprehensive strategic vision focused on diversifying the economy and achieving political and regulatory stability to attract more investment. In order to enhance the daily buying and selling activity in the Omani stock market and increase trading volume, there are several factors and methods that can be developed and improved, the most important of which are increasing market liquidity, improving the market's ability to provide diverse and attractive financial instruments, in addition to encouraging investors to submit their trades by offering incentive programmes, especially for individual investors that can increases investors' ability to execute transactions quickly and without delay.

OJT partners, UTAS graduates feted
OJT partners, UTAS graduates feted

Observer

timean hour ago

  • Observer

OJT partners, UTAS graduates feted

MUSSANAH: The University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Al Mussanah (UTAS-Al Mussanah), through its Training and Career Guidance Center, hosted the second graduates gathering and recognition ceremony on June 19. Held under the auspices of Dr Munia bint Mohammed al Farsiyah, Deputy Assistant Vice-Chancellor for E-Systems and Student Services, the event recognised key partner institutions involved in the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Programme for the 2024-2025 academic year. A total of 20 public and private sector institutions were honoured for their support in providing students with practical, real-world training experiences. Notably, the Royal Navy of Oman received special recognition for training over 100 students across the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, establishing itself as one of the university's most active OJT partners. The gathering also brought together UTAS graduates currently employed at the Al Mussanah campus. The event provided a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, filled with graduate-led activities and entertainment that encouraged networking and connection among attendees. In her address, Dr Al Farsi lauded the contributions of the partner institutions and stressed the importance of strengthening ties with the labour market to enhance student preparedness and align with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques and certificates of appreciation, reaffirming the university's commitment to building impactful partnerships and advancing training initiatives in step with national development goals.

MTCIT invites EOI to develop office software locally in Oman
MTCIT invites EOI to develop office software locally in Oman

Muscat Daily

time2 hours ago

  • Muscat Daily

MTCIT invites EOI to develop office software locally in Oman

By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – In an effort to enhance digital sovereignty and support technology localisation, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from local companies and investors to develop open-source office software. The ministry's Internal Investment Committee has called on Omani firms with expertise in software development to propose solutions for word processing, presentations and spreadsheets based on open-source platforms. The aim is to deploy these applications across government and institutional settings, meeting standard office software requirements. MTCIT said the government plans to sign a licensing agreement with the selected developer for a fixed term, as part of wider national efforts to build local technological capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign proprietary systems. Interested firms must submit a formal letter expressing their interest, along with a preliminary operational model of the proposed solution, company profile, commercial registration and valid business licence. A preliminary economic feasibility study and documents demonstrating experience and technical capability are also required. All submissions must be in PDF format and emailed to [email protected]. Submission deadline is July 20.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store