interview with the minister | i8 What are some challenges faced by the Sultanate’s transport sector? We enjoy a strategic geographical position, with improving infrastructure and warehouses, but we need a robust air transport sector. The air freight sector is in need of more infrastructure, but is on track. The other challenge is Oman’s volume of trade. We are too reliant on exports, and the amount of our internal goods is not large. That’s why we want to better exploit our geographical location, exchange more goods and connect with the countries of the world. . . . The third most important challenge is the speed and facility of procedures. We’d like to enlist technology and get requests processed more swiftly in order to facilitate trade. Financing all these measures will always depend on our oil production capacity; our development follows suit. Oman is known for its mountainous terrain. This translates into a higher cost for road works than neighboring countries’ road works and tunneling. Are there any tunneling projects in the works? Mountains, deep wadis (valleys) and even sand, all present a challenge and push up the cost of roadwork in Oman. Occasionally, we receive criticism about the expense of projects. But our country’s geography is more difficult for road building than other countries’. There should be a fair comparison. As for tunneling, the concept is catching on. For a while, we preferred the mountain-cutting method instead of the tunnel approach, but now, the Masendem/Khassab highway will include a number of tunnels. The upcoming train project also includes a number of tunnels. How do roads help develop communities and cities? Every kilometer of road opens up economic, touristic and developmental opportunities. Once the road is born, the development follows. Roads also open up new areas. Oman is a large country, but areas suitable for citizens are limited. Roads like the new Batin and Sharqiya highways reach places that hadn’t been populated. When you build a highway, how do you assess its impact? We have many reasons for developing a road: industrial, economic, residential, and others. If there are settlements, even small ones, the government doesn’t tarry in providing a road for them. This has helped keep settlements rooted and far from cities like Muscat and others. In some cases, the Sultanate has built roads for just four or five homes. Finally, on a wider note, what is the Ministry doing for public transport? We’re paying more attention to it. Traffic in our cities is on the rise. For a while, we focused on roads and bridges, and paid less attention to public transport. Muscat is a very good example. But circumstances are demanding that we give public transport its due. The transition to public transport will take time. People here feel attached to their cars. Fuel is subsidized. So, the positives of public transport will have to be emphasized: comfortable seats with WiFi, transport that can skip traffic through special lanes. . . . We’ve started a strategic study and are also considering a trial public transport form in Muscat, and plan on studying the public reception to it. Light transport (tram) is another option under study in Muscat. Overall, I think public transport will definitely develop in the coming years. 17