Latest news with #MinistryOfTransport
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow wants to make Singaporeans proud of their public transport system
SINGAPORE: Among Mr Jeffrey Siow's many goals for his newly started tenure as acting Transport Minister, one stands out: To make Singaporeans proud of their public transport system. This pride is evident in Singapore's aviation and maritime sectors, but with public transport, there is room to improve sentiments, said Mr Siow in a wide-ranging interview with media earlier in June, covering topics from long-term plans to recent issues. 'On the public transport side, we can do a lot more, and we will work,' he said. 'It does mean, of course, you must make sure that the public transport side, we run the system as well as we have run the air and sea systems.' The former senior civil servant, who was in the Ministry of Transport (MOT) from 2012 to 2017, said he was motivated by how his current portfolio is a 'very meaningful' one - where his work is felt by everyone. 'Whether you walk, take the train, take the bus, drive, or even when you travel, you go to the airport, or you get goods delivered from overseas because you shop online … transport matters,' said Mr Siow. He said that decisions in the transport realm can be especially palpable. For instance, when he was at MOT as a civil servant, he had a hand in the Thomson-East Coast Line project. 'Now I'm taking the train that we said we would design in that way. In that manner, it became a tangible reality,' said Mr Siow. The very visible transformation of ideas into reality will also be captured in mega projects such as Changi Airport's Terminal 5 and the Tuas Port - both announced when he was in the transport ministry. 'So it's real, it's tangible, it is easy to do work when you feel that whatever you are doing matters,' he said. But he also acknowledged that with all that, comes increased scrutiny. 'Everybody has an opinion on whether or not you're doing things right, and I am not short on conversations with people about issues, and I enjoy it very much,' he said. These conversations even include discussions with his mother on transport-related topics. TAKING ON A "HOT POTATO" MINISTRY Since taking on the acting minister role on May 23, several hot-button transport issues have already emerged. On May 29, a 49-year-old private-hire driver died from a stroke, igniting discussion on whether the long hours put in by drivers could be better managed or regulated. On Jun 3, SMRT was slapped with a S$3 million (US$2.33 million) fine over a major East-West Line disruption in September last year. On Jun 6, a container barge ran aground off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa. Then on Jun 11, Jetstar Asia, one of two locally-run low-cost carriers, announced it would cease operations on July 31. On how he keeps a cool head with such issues coming in thick and fast, Mr Siow said it was all to be expected. 'People are interested, and that's why they care about what's happening. 'It does mean we have to maybe work at a higher cadence, to respond, to explain, … to persuade, to inspire, and in some ways, to be ready,' he added. He said he sees this positively. 'I would rather be doing something that people care about, incidents notwithstanding, and doing things that help people, make sure that they are well taken care of, and improve their lives.' Mr Siow noted that by nature, some issues are 'zero-sum', such as how to decide on the best bus route. 'I can, of course, draw the bus route to cover everybody, but that means the bus (route) is very long,' he said. 'I know I won't be able to please everyone, it's not possible ... But I will try to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. That's my objective.' Mr Siow revealed that he takes public transport to his workplaces at the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance - where he is also a Senior Minister of State - 'whenever I can'. 'It's helpful to actually see things for yourself,' he said. 'Whenever I see something … LTA is kept a little bit busy.' TO-DO LIST Mr Siow also laid out some of his plans for the next five years. One is to ensure residents of Housing Board towns further away from the city have better connectivity. He said during an interview earlier in June that the time taken to travel by public transport from Tengah to the city area was two to three times longer than that of car rides, and that he aimed to cut this down to one to two times longer. 'You could apply that to Punggol, you could apply that to Jurong West, you could apply that to Pasir Ris … where I think the public transport journey time is not as competitive relative to taking a car,' he said on Jun 11. He added that ensuring better bus connectivity to train stations would be key here, while also boosting Singapore's car-lite vision. 'It's a virtuous cycle … demand for private transport would be balanced, it will become less (and) public transport will be more viable and attractive." CELEBRATING TRANSPORT In the same vein as making Singaporeans fall in love with the public transport system, Mr Siow also hopes that there can be more thorough appreciation for Singapore's transport history. 'Transport is, in fact, very much part of the Singapore Story,' he said. 'There is a reason why in many major cities - New York, London, Tokyo - they all have a transportation museum.' In Singapore, there is a 'mini transport museum' at the Land Transport Authority's headquarters at Hampshire Road. Called the SG Mobility Gallery, it is where schoolchildren go on excursions, but Mr Siow hopes more transport artefacts from Singapore's history can be displayed there. He said he had noticed general interest in such memorabilia, citing Knackstop, an initiative where public transport merchandise such as model trains and transport-themed keychains are sold at vending machines around Singapore. In looking back at the past, the aim is to instill pride in a system Mr Siow described as unique to Singapore. 'If I can bring that love and pride in our transportation system back ... I think some of the more difficult things we have to do, some of the supposed problems we have to address in the future - I think we'll be able to better manage."
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Construction for parts of Sultan Said bin Taimour Road starts
Salalah: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology announced the commencement of work on the dual-carriageway of Sultan Said bin Taimour Road for parts (3, 4, and 5), spanning approximately 400 kilometres with a total cost exceeding OMR258 million. Eng. Said Mohammed Tabook, Director General of Roads and Land Transport in Dhofar Governorate, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the executing companies have begun construction work on the three parts, with a project duration of 36 months. He explained that Part 3 extends from Haima to Maqshin over 132.5 kilometres, Part 4 covers about 135 kilometres from Maqshin to Dokha, while Part 5 stretches 132.5 kilometres from Dokha to Thumrait. He added that the project will enhance Oman's road network efficiency and improve connectivity between governorates. The road is designed for year-round accessibility across various weather conditions and will improve traffic safety through concrete/steel barriers, reflectors, road markings, and warning signs. It will also support economic, tourism, commercial, and social development.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman advances plans for national semiconductor industry
MUSCAT: Marking a key step in its bid to penetrate the global trillion-dollar semiconductor industry, Oman is preparing to commission an international consultant to chart a strategy for developing a comprehensive ecosystem to support the growth of a domestic semiconductor sector. On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology – which is spearheading the establishment of this sector as part of the broader digital economy – invited qualified consultants to bid for an advisory services contract linked to this initiative. In addition to formulating a blueprint for the establishment of an integrated ecosystem around semiconductor production, the selected consultant will also be required to assist in the development of a Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Electronic Chips in Oman. The consultant's scope of work encompasses, among other requirements, the creation of a master plan and a road map for building an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem in the country. As part of its remit, the consultancy firm will also study and provide recommendations on the following key areas: Training & Skills Development, Research & Development, Partnership and Network Development, Facility Design and Equipment Planning, and Operational and Financial Sustainability. Additionally, the company will be responsible for overseeing the rollout of the Centre of Excellence, which will be tasked with attracting FDI into the semiconductor production value chain, facilitating the inflow of technological know-how, creating opportunities for semiconductor design and testing, enabling digital innovation in this strategic industry, and supporting localisation and job creation. Already, the building blocks of a nascent semiconductor sector are being put in place in Oman. Earlier this year, the Omani government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AONH Private Holdings, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, to explore the establishment of an advanced AI-based semiconductor chip manufacturing plant in Salalah. The proposed facility is expected to contribute to the development of national expertise in semiconductor design and manufacturing, create new business opportunities for Omani youth, and attract international talent from leading semiconductor nations such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. This initiative will support the transfer of global expertise and the localisation of advanced semiconductor technologies in Oman. Sovereign wealth fund Oman Investment Authority is also playing a pivotal role in the development of this vital sector. Its ICT investment arm, ITHCA Group, has acquired a strategic stake in the US-based semiconductor design and services company GSME, which has established an advanced chip design and development lab in Muscat. GSME Oman is supporting the training of a national cadre of young Omanis, who have already successfully designed the first Omani microchips. Also boding well for the growth of a competitive semiconductor industry in Oman is a 100,000-tonnes-per-annum capacity polysilicon project currently under construction at Sohar Freezone, at a cost of $1.6 billion. Promoted by Oman-based United Solar Holding Inc, the project is expected to supply critical raw materials for, among other industries, semiconductor manufacturing in Oman. Over the past two years, a number of major international players have expressed interest in Oman's potential as a hub for semiconductor production. In 2023, the Omani government hosted a high-level delegation from South Korea's SK Hynix Inc, the world's second-largest semiconductor company. Separately, a delegation representing four prominent companies from Taiwan's semiconductor sector – ULVAC Taiwan Inc, MSScorps Co, Ltd, eMemory Technology Inc, and Global Unichip Corp – visited Oman last December. Oman is preparing to commission an international consultant to chart a strategy for developing a comprehensive ecosystem to support the growth of a domestic semiconductor sector 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tender for upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos
Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has kick-started the process of upgrading Port Sultan Qaboos to support its transformation into a national hub for cruise tourism. Under a tender floated recently by the ministry, consultancy firms with expertise in port and maritime engineering have been invited to bid for a contract to provide advisory services on the construction of a new breakwater and additional berth, as well as to oversee significant reclamation works at Muscat's roughly 50-year-old maritime hub. In addition to developing a concept master plan encompassing all aspects of the port's proposed upgrade, the selected consultant will also be invited to identify, as an option, investment opportunities arising from this expansion. Given the cruise tourism-centred focus of the upgrade, these opportunities are expected to be linked to food and beverage outlets, hospitality, high-end retail, arts and crafts, and related sectors, say experts. Last October, the ministry tasked Asyad Ports — a subsidiary of Asyad Group — with undertaking a feasibility study into the upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos. The study also covers the operational and commercial aspects of the project, aimed at supporting its development into a major cruise tourism hub. Opportunities for strategic partnerships with investors to help deliver this vision were to be fully explored as well. Officials announced at the time that the modernisation plan would be implemented in three phases. The initial phase will focus on rehabilitating the port's existing infrastructure. The second phase will involve upgrading equipment and operational systems. In the final phase, a new berth will be constructed to accommodate larger cruise vessels, enhancing the port's capacity to meet rising tourism demand. According to cruise shipping experts, a berth length of at least 370 metres will be required to handle some of the largest cruise ships in operation today. Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity, measures 365 metres in length. Other mega cruise ships in its class include the Wonder of the Seas (362 metres), Symphony of the Seas (361 metres), and Harmony of the Seas (362 metres). By comparison, the largest cruise ship to have visited Muscat to date is the AIDAcosma (337 metres), which made its maiden call in November 2022. In line with Muscat's positioning as a cruise tourism hub, the modernisation will also aim to attract leisure and recreational vessels, including superyachts, catamarans and sailships, to Oman. Investment opportunities related to this segment of the maritime tourism sector will be explored as well. Port Sultan Qaboos, which has undergone multiple upgrades over its 50-year history, currently features nine berths with a combined length of 1,750 metres. A passenger terminal is presently being modernised to align with the goals of the port's broader expansion. In 2024, Port Sultan Qaboos welcomed a record 190 cruise ship calls, surpassing its target of 134 vessels for the year. The deadline for submission of offers for the consultancy services contract is July 24, 2025. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Completion rate in Wadi Bani Khalid steep road project reaches 17.3%
Wadi Bani Khalid: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology continues to implement the Wadi Bani Khalid steep road project in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The 9-kilometre road begins at the Manakh area near the wilayat's police station and ends at the village of Muzayra', the center of the wilayat. Eng. Yousuf Abdullah Al Mujaini, Director General of Roads and Land Transport at the Ministry, stated that the project has so far achieved a 17.3% completion rate and is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2026. In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), he explained that the road consists of two lanes, each 3.5 metres wide, with 1.5-metre asphalt shoulders, box culverts, and drainage channels to ensure road safety during rainfall. He added that the project includes essential road safety features such as concrete and metal barriers, directional signage, road markings, and warning paint. He emphasised that the project will enhance traffic flow and boost urban, tourism and economic activity.
