The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has announced that Arabian Peninsula nation, Oman, intends to join TIR, to streamline procedures at borders and reduce administrative burden for customs authorities and transport and logistics companies.
The pending ratification of the global standard for customs transit is now poised to transform the country’s road transport, intermodal and trade potential, bringing it ever closer to becoming a major global logistics hub, according to the IRU.
With a view to achieving the Oman Logistics Strategy, next steps after ratification are to implement TIR in order to improve the country’s soft infrastructure, support mechanisms and institutions to facilitate trade. Oman’s strategic location, suggests huge potential for trade acceleration.
“With the IRU World Congress in Muscat taking place next week, we share a common and certain conviction with our partners in Oman that modernising road transport services and harmonising the customs procedures will offer a powerful platform to address broader issues of regional trade development, sustainability and economic growth,” said IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto.
The activation of TIR will reportedly see benefits of seamless cross-border connectivity, and with Bahrain looking to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) TIR network, Oman is set to play a strategic role in lifting regional trade prospects.
IRU will work closely with the relevant Omani agencies to develop a digital TIR system that applies the latest technologies and is at the core of efforts to ensure a transparent and more efficient supply chain.
“There is no doubt that this step will improve transport services, and be a major contribution to achieving the National Logistics Strategy to facilitate sustainable trade activities and attract investment into Oman,” said Minister of Transport and Communication of the Sultanate of Oman, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi.
