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An agreement was signed for
the development of an OMR 2.5 million truck rest area
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SOHAR has created 10,836
direct job opportunities and contributed to 4.8% of Oman’s GDP
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The 15th Anniversary SOHAR Port and Freezone Book, celebrating the people that have
contributed to the company’s growth, was launched
SOHAR
Port and Freezone celebrated its 15th Anniversary in a glittering
ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat, on November 4, 2019. The event was
conducted under the auspices of HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of
Transport, alongside the presence of distinguished Excellencies, Honourables, ministers,
dignitaries, partners and members of the SOHAR Management.
Commenting on the event, HE Dr
Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi said, “15 years since the
inception of SOHAR, we are proud to have established a world-class port on the
coasts of the Sultanate of Oman to serve the region and the world. SOHAR Port
has become a pivotal part of the logistics sector in the Sultanate and a major
import and export hub for both Oman and the regional countries. The port itself
is a success story, with regard to several aspects. This especially includes
its achievement of attracting large vessels and international investors,
accommodating a variety of industries and handling a diverse range and size of
general cargos, containers and other goods.”
HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al
Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “SOHAR Port has
created a remarkable footprint and made its presence recognised, both in the
region and globally. We are also proud to be ranked as one of the
fastest-growing port and free zones in the world, with investments exceeding
OMR 10 billion. With our strategic geographical location, providing us access
to global markets with an outreach of over 2 billion people, SOHAR Port has
played a vital role in line with the national Logistics Strategy 2040. The
strategy aims to place the transport sector as the second-highest source of
national income alongside putting the Sultanate among the top ten countries for
logistics performance by the year 2040.”
An integrated logistics facility
In line with the efforts to promote
integrated logistics services, an agreement was signed, under the patronage of
HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport, for the development of
a truck rest area. The agreement was signed between HE Dr Mohammed Al Zaabi,
Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Issa Mohammed Ali Al
Barmani, Managing Director of Meena Investment Park LLC. The upcoming project
will have a total investment of OMR 2.5 million and will take up an area of 50,000
sqm at SOHAR Freezone.
Initiated by the Ministry of
Transport and spearheaded by ASYAD, the truck rest area will assist in
promoting road safety after the significant increase in the number of trucks at
the port. The area will offer an added value to the logistics infrastructure of
SOHAR and to all its tenants from various road transport companies, through the
provision of a dedicated area for truck drivers to take breaks during long
journeys. Apart from streamlining logistics at SOHAR, it will also aid in
saving transit time between destinations and reducing road congestion by preventing
drivers from parking at the sides of the road and in residential areas. The
importance of this project is also demonstrated by its role of unifying operators
and tenants of both the Port and Freezone.
SOHAR vital statistics
Employees of the Port
and Freezone paid tribute to the past and future of the SOHAR by narrating
their personal memories. Additionally, a video highlighting the notable achievements of the company over the course of 15 years, comprising
of invaluable insights from significant spokespeople, was revealed. The event
concluded with the presentation of the first copy of the 15th
Anniversary SOHAR Port and Freezone Book to the chief guest.
In addition to celebrating the
people and achievements, the 15th Anniversary SOHAR Port and
Freezone Book also highlighted key statistics about its contribution to Oman
over the last 15 years. The throughput grew year on year reaching 61 million
tonnes and the Port now handles over 3,400 vessels per year.
62% of Oman’s total imports
entered through SOHAR in 2017, alongside 42% of the country’s exported volumes.
In the same year, SOHAR also contributed to 4.8% of Oman’s total GDP.
The Port and Freezone is also
a trailblazer for job creation. SOHAR has created 10,836 direct job
opportunities, with the combined value for both direct and indirect employment
amounting to 1.1% of the total number of workers in Oman, which has generated a
combined added value of 1.3 billion in 2018.
A
promising future
Mark
Geilenkirchen said, “SOHAR Port and Freezone has always aimed to expand and
reach out to important markets and reinforce relationships with investors from
across the globe. Our well-established
mission and vision have helped all of the members of the SOHAR family remain
focused on delivering business excellence to clients, growing bonds of
friendship with the local community and increasing our contribution to the
diversification goals for our national economy. With
several projects in the pipeline, we continue to grow and continually adapt,
keeping ourselves updated with the latest developments and technologies. At
SOHAR, we also strive to implement innovative solutions that prove beneficial
not only to the organisation but also to the surrounding community.”
“Over
the past 15 years, SOHAR has emerged as a global logistics and industrial hub.
Looking ahead, we continue to align ourselves with Oman’s diversification and
logistics strategies, attract foreign direct investment and increase employment
and SME opportunities in Suhar. We are confident that by employing a young and
capable workforce, while simultaneously investing in innovative solutions, we
will be able to achieve our strategic objectives,” Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi,
DCEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone - CEO of the Freezone concluded.
For more
information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com
