MUSCAT: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has revealed that the performance indicators have indicated an increase in the direct import movement of containers for 2022 by no less than 5%.

The ministry has also stressed that the increase in land transport and maritime affairs revenues is up by 10 per cent. It has clarified that the most prominent achievements of the transport sector in 2021 was the opening of part of the Adam-Haima-Thumrait dual-road project, and the completion of the main framework for the project of the logistics efficiency national indicators initiative (Tamayuz).

The ministry said, “The opening of the 20-km-long dual-way Suwaiq-Al Hoqain road in 2021 and opening the door for investment to manage, operate and develop the Khasab and Shinas ports was beneficial. The official opening of the strategic Empty Quarter Road and the border port was crucial for the transport and logistics sector.”

The ministry has affirmed that the project paves the way for new horizons of social integration on the one hand, and economic and logistical integration of Oman and Saudi Arabia on the other hand, given its connection to the road network and logistical sources of ports, free zones and airports in both countries.

The ministry also indicated that the number of ships received by the ports of the Sultanate of Oman increased by 1.3 percent, in addition to an increase in the handling of standard containers by 2 percent.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology also announced the road transport development plan for 2022 which consists of the control centre for road transport, raising the level of taxi service, the level of regular transport, the attractiveness of the sector, and the settlement of national cadres.

According to the ministry, several initiatives in maritime affairs, including the navigation system initiative, the establishment of small marine industrial zones for the maintenance of medium and small vessels, the water taxi, and the Al-Nomani project to register ships will be beneficial.

The ministry said, “The government’s digital transformation program for 2022 includes the launch of the first phase of the unified national portal project for e-government services, the launch of 88 electronic services provided to citizens and the business sector, and the simplification of procedures and preparation of engineering operations for 70 per cent of basic government services.”

Projects which will stimulate the digital economy in 2022 including the ‘Jadarah Initiative’ to facilitate access and experience of locally developed technical products for government institutions and companies were announced by the ministry.

Preparing an investment incentive package, cybersecurity services, artificial intelligence applications and services, qualifying national cadres and refining their skills in modern technology disciplines are some of the arenas which were touched upon by the ministry.