17 September 2013
MUSCAT -- Grant Thornton,(GT) one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms, has been selected by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to study the organisational design of Oman Railway Company (under formation), a senior official said here yesterday.
Nasser al Badri, Head of Human Resources at Oman Rail, said Grant Thornton will study, among other things, "the organisational process and structure" of the proposed state-owned entity, which will oversee the implementation and operation of the country's national railway network, 'Oman Rail'.
Also as part of its brief, Grant Thornton will "determine the human capital needs of Oman Railway Company over the next few years", the official stated in comments to the Observer on the sidelines of the Railway Symposium that concluded at Al Bustan Palace - A Ritz Carlton Hotel yesterday.
Earlier, addressing a workshop on the human capital requirements of the national railway project, Al Badri said the Ministry envisages a broad Q1/Q2 2014 timeframe for the completion of a study aimed at identifying the human capital requirements related to the railway project, as well as the requisite skill-sets necessary to support the massive venture over the long term.
He added that the government was also looking to support the development of a Centre of Excellence that will help in the delivery of a world-class railway project for the Sultanate.
Grant Thornton will develop an organisational structure that will assist Oman Rail in the implementation of identified processes and practices. Upon the approval of the proposed structure, the consultant will identify the prerogatives and responsibilities of each position within this structure. Besides, the consultant will be required to develop strategic enablers that will sustain performance, growth and development of Oman Rail.
Grant Thornton will also assist the Ministry in identifying a framework within which Oman Rail will operate, as well as determine its relationship with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and other departments within the Ministry and related government agencies. In addition, the Consultant will be required to conduct a qualitative comparison with global best practices and make recommendations to align Oman Rail with global best practice.
According to officials, Oman Railway Company will be set up as part of a newly delineated framework within the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) to ensure the efficient implementation of the project, as well as the appropriate management of the railway sector.
Under this framework, the Ministry will play the role of policymaker, while all issues related to licensing, auditing, organisation and legislation will be in the hands of the Directorate General for Land Transport and Railway.
Positioned at the bottom of this three-tiered pyramidal framework is Oman Railway Company whose prerogatives include supervision of operators, investment, assets ownership and sector development.
Oman Rail will be allowed to establish subsidiaries to manage part of its responsibilities if the economics are such. Furthermore, Oman Rail can enter into partnerships with investors in various aspects of railway services. Part of its mandate is also to develop the capabilities of Omani nationals to serve at all levels -- management, professional, technical, skilled and semi-skilled.
Grant Thornton provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to public listed companies, privately owned businesses, public interest entities, and individuals in the Middle East. The group has advised on more than 400 projects with an aggregate capital value in excess of £50 billion. Some of the of the major clients in the region are Qatar Railway Company; Qatar 2022 World Cup; Le Meridien Group of Hotels; Emaar Hospitality Group; Oberoi Hotel in Luxor, Egypt; Sheraton, Jeddah and Makkah; and Arabian Global Investments.
(OEPPA Business Development Dept)
MUSCAT -- Grant Thornton,(GT) one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms, has been selected by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to study the organisational design of Oman Railway Company (under formation), a senior official said here yesterday.
Nasser al Badri, Head of Human Resources at Oman Rail, said Grant Thornton will study, among other things, "the organisational process and structure" of the proposed state-owned entity, which will oversee the implementation and operation of the country's national railway network, 'Oman Rail'.
Also as part of its brief, Grant Thornton will "determine the human capital needs of Oman Railway Company over the next few years", the official stated in comments to the Observer on the sidelines of the Railway Symposium that concluded at Al Bustan Palace - A Ritz Carlton Hotel yesterday.
Earlier, addressing a workshop on the human capital requirements of the national railway project, Al Badri said the Ministry envisages a broad Q1/Q2 2014 timeframe for the completion of a study aimed at identifying the human capital requirements related to the railway project, as well as the requisite skill-sets necessary to support the massive venture over the long term.
He added that the government was also looking to support the development of a Centre of Excellence that will help in the delivery of a world-class railway project for the Sultanate.
Grant Thornton will develop an organisational structure that will assist Oman Rail in the implementation of identified processes and practices. Upon the approval of the proposed structure, the consultant will identify the prerogatives and responsibilities of each position within this structure. Besides, the consultant will be required to develop strategic enablers that will sustain performance, growth and development of Oman Rail.
Grant Thornton will also assist the Ministry in identifying a framework within which Oman Rail will operate, as well as determine its relationship with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and other departments within the Ministry and related government agencies. In addition, the Consultant will be required to conduct a qualitative comparison with global best practices and make recommendations to align Oman Rail with global best practice.
According to officials, Oman Railway Company will be set up as part of a newly delineated framework within the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) to ensure the efficient implementation of the project, as well as the appropriate management of the railway sector.
Under this framework, the Ministry will play the role of policymaker, while all issues related to licensing, auditing, organisation and legislation will be in the hands of the Directorate General for Land Transport and Railway.
Positioned at the bottom of this three-tiered pyramidal framework is Oman Railway Company whose prerogatives include supervision of operators, investment, assets ownership and sector development.
Oman Rail will be allowed to establish subsidiaries to manage part of its responsibilities if the economics are such. Furthermore, Oman Rail can enter into partnerships with investors in various aspects of railway services. Part of its mandate is also to develop the capabilities of Omani nationals to serve at all levels -- management, professional, technical, skilled and semi-skilled.
Grant Thornton provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to public listed companies, privately owned businesses, public interest entities, and individuals in the Middle East. The group has advised on more than 400 projects with an aggregate capital value in excess of £50 billion. Some of the of the major clients in the region are Qatar Railway Company; Qatar 2022 World Cup; Le Meridien Group of Hotels; Emaar Hospitality Group; Oberoi Hotel in Luxor, Egypt; Sheraton, Jeddah and Makkah; and Arabian Global Investments.
(OEPPA Business Development Dept)
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
