Sunday, Jun 26, 2016

Muscat: Saudi Arabia said that a 680-kilometre road linking it with Oman will be opened this year, Oman News Agency reported.

Ninety-seven per cent of the road has been completed on the Saudi side of the border, according to Sulaiman Al Hamdan, Saudi Transport Minister.

The new road will cut the driving distance to Saudi Arabia by more than 500 kilometres. It starts in the Tanam area of Ibri province and passes through oilfields until it reaches the border with Saudi Arabia in the large desert area known as the Empty Quarter.

Oman spent more than 200 million Omani rials (Dh1.9 billion) on the 160-km stretch of the road on its territory while Saudi Arabia has spent 1 billion Saudi riyals on the 566-km section of the road within its territory.

It took Oman two years to build the road while Saudi Arabia took four years due to the longer distance and problems relating to clearing sand for the project.

Economic experts expect the road to open up significant trade opportunities.

Cattle trading, agriculture and automobile businesses are expected to benefit in particular.

The road will also pass by the future GCC railway track, which will aid greater economic integration with other GCC states.

Staff Report

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