Oman - Railways to be Most Important Infrastructure Project for 2014

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Futaisi, Minister for Transport and Communications announced the priority infrastructure projects for Oman this week. In a press conference he said that railways would be top priority.

Prequalification of contractors will commence within the next month with a view to building works beginning later this year.

The Sultanate is looking at how to maximise private investment across all the infrastructure projects. Dr bin Futaisi will be seeking a specialised consultant in private investments with a view to simplifying and increasing the efficiency by which private investors can participate in infrastructure projects - in road, air, rail and sea.

Looking at ports, the Port of Salalah is currently ranked third in the MENA region as a hub, and sixth in the world. Plans are afoot to increase throughput in the port with a view to cementing its position as a global freight hub.

Oman’s infrastructure investments are being mirrored across the GCC region, including the USD $15.5bn GCC Railway Network which will connect the border of Yemen with the border of Iraq in the next five years.