The Gulf Forum for Green Mobility Reviews Efforts to Develop Express Delivery Services in the Region
Muscat, Sept 3 (KUNA) -- The second Gulf Green Mobility Forum showcased, on Thursday, efforts to develop the regulatory and operational environment of the rapid delivery sector, enhance digital transformation, and outline plans for a gradual transition to the use of electric bicycles. This took place during the "Wasal" program event, organized by the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, as part of the activities on the second and final day of the forum hosted in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, with the aim of empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and national talents in this rapidly growing sector.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Ghada Al-Kiyumi, a senior projects specialist at the Omani Ministry of Transport, emphasized the importance of the rapid delivery sector, which has become a key component of the digital economy and a pillar supporting the growth of e-commerce. Al-Kiyumi stressed the importance of building an integrated system that enhances the sector’s efficiency and competitiveness, while improving the quality of services provided to consumers. She explained that regulating the sector aims to facilitate procedures and empower companies, thereby creating a supportive environment for business growth, consumer protection, and the ability of companies to evolve and compete.
She highlighted the Omani Ministry of Transport’s efforts last year, which contributed to supporting more than 40 SMEs and creating over 900 job opportunities for Omanis, alongside developing operational models, digitizing procedures, and enhancing the use of data and modern technologies.
For her part, Thuwayra Al-Wahibi, a logistics and sustainability operations specialist at the Net Zero Team of the Oman Logistics Center, presented the plan for transitioning to electric bicycles in rapid delivery services. She explained that the project aims to develop the daily delivery experience to be more efficient, safer, and sustainable. Al-Wahibi noted that the shift to electric bicycles helps reduce emissions, lower energy and maintenance costs, and improve the operational efficiency of fleets, while providing a smoother operational experience for drivers. She emphasized the importance of evaluating the total cost of ownership over the bicycle’s lifespan.
She added that the transition plan is based on a gradual, actionable path leading to a full transition to electric bicycles, subject to specific exceptions permitted by the ministry based on technical or operational justifications. Al-Wahibi mentioned that the plan includes supporting operational trials before expansion, providing suitable financial and operational solutions for companies, and enabling charging and battery-swapping stations in coordination with municipalities and local authorities.
In this regard, she stated that the success of the transition relies on three main elements: "adopting clear technical standards for bicycles, safety requirements, and compliance; providing suppliers and operators capable of delivering services and technical support; and developing a safe and integrated infrastructure for charging and battery swapping along delivery routes."
The "Wasal" program event also witnessed the launch of a service for registering commercial bicycles and issuing vehicle operation cards electronically via the Omani "Naqel" platform, marking a shift from fragmented, multiple procedures to a unified, integrated digital pathway.
The "Wasal" program comes within the framework of the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology’s direction toward building a more organized, competitive, and sustainable rapid delivery sector, enhancing its readiness to keep pace with the rapid growth in e-commerce, thereby supporting the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040" and the Sultanate’s direction toward carbon neutrality.
It is worth noting that the second Gulf Green Mobility Forum, which commenced its proceedings on Wednesday, aims to enhance regional cooperation among Gulf countries in sustainable mobility projects, and to exchange expertise and experiences in developing policies, infrastructure, and technologies supporting the transformation in the transport sector. (End) M.J.B. / M.A.A.
