The Services and Public Utilities Committee of the Shura Council hosted this morning (Sunday) Nasra Al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, together with a number of specialists from the Ministry, as part of the Committee’s continued study of the proposal submitted on addressing traffic congestion in Muscat Governorate through the development of the urban transport system. The meeting forms part of the Committee’s efforts to examine the various factors affecting traffic flow and explore practical solutions and policy options aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the transport system and improving traffic mobility in line with the Governorate’s urban and economic growth.
During the meeting, the Committee discussed with the Ministry’s specialists a number of issues concerning the relationship between the expansion of commercial activities and traffic congestion. Discussions covered the current expansion of commercial infrastructure, the distribution of shopping centres and commercial complexes, and the implications of such expansion for the road network and traffic volumes. The meeting also examined planning and regulatory considerations relating to the selection of sites for commercial activities and the extent to which they are compatible with the capacity of surrounding roads and public infrastructure. Participants further highlighted the importance of coordination among the relevant authorities in preparing commercial and urban development plans to ensure that investment projects are aligned with transport infrastructure requirements and to mitigate the traffic impacts associated with urban expansion.
Committee Members emphasised that commercial growth is a key driver of economic development, but requires the adoption of sustainable planning solutions that preserve the smooth flow of traffic. They stressed the importance of incorporating traffic impact considerations into the licensing of major commercial developments, promoting integrated land-use planning, upgrading road networks serving commercial areas, expanding the urban transport system, and encouraging greater use of public transport to ease pressure on major roads, reduce travel times, and enhance the quality of life in Muscat Governorate.
As part of the meeting's agenda, the Committee also hosted a number of owners of private land transport enterprises operating in the Sultanate of Oman as part of its study of the challenges facing the land transport and logistics sector. The Committee heard their views on the current state of the sector, the operational and regulatory challenges affecting freight transport and logistics service providers, and the implications of these challenges for business sustainability and service efficiency. The meeting also discussed a number of proposals aimed at improving the legislative and regulatory environment governing the sector, strengthening its competitiveness, and enabling it to keep pace with the rapid economic growth witnessed in the Sultanate of Oman.


The meeting further discussed the importance of the logistics sector as one of the Sultanate’s priority economic sectors, a key driver of trade and investment, and a fundamental enabler for achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, through enhancing supply chain efficiency, improving logistics services, attracting investment, and maximising the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic location as a regional logistics hub.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Hamood Al Yahyaei, Chairman of the Services and Public Utilities Committee, and attended by the Committee Members.