Road network in Oman is the fifth best in the world and with more development going on in this sector, this status is likely to improve in the coming years. Other transport networks are also undergoing major facelift to let the Sultanate emerge as one of the most favored business as well as tourist destinations in the world.
Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, assured the business community that their transportation woes would be taken care of and most of them would be addressed automatically with the completion of road-rail-port and airport projects. The minister was addressing a gathering of businessmen from Dhofar at the Salalah chapter of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries (OCCI).
He made special mention of Salalah's strategic location and said it would emerge as the business hub of Oman soon after the completion of the projects. The work on the new Salalah airport, according to him, is going on a satisfactorily, as the main building is likely to be ready by the coming Khareef and the airport would be ready for operation by June-July next year.
Allaying the business community's fears about the facilities and services of the airport, the minister suggested them not worry about the suffix or prefix 'international' with the upcoming Salalah airport, as such establishments are known for their services and facilities. "Our airport project is a 'complete project' and with state-of-the-art facilities, businesses and frequency of flights, it would automatically cater to the needs of international flights," he said.
Commenting on a query whether the new airport would have scope for repairing transit flights, the minister said: "We have one such facility at the new airport, but depending upon future requirements we are prepared to add more such facilities to receive more and more transit flights." The minister also assured the gathering about the ongoing development work on the Port of Salalah and exhorted them to reap maximum benefit out of the new facilities.
Oman Daily Observer
19 March
