Logistics giant Panalpina to open Oman office

Panalpina Oman expects to open its office in Muscat by the end of the third quarter in 2019, the company said in a statement on its website.

‘Oman’s government is aiming to diversify the economy and is focusing on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, mining, public utilities and manufacturing. Together with a growing number of large infrastructure projects and its transhipment hub for Qatar, Oman is fast becoming the latest business hotspot within the Middle East region,’ Panalpina said.

‘Riding on that economic growth, Panalpina is establishing its presence in Oman to leverage its proven expertise in handling large-scale and complex major moves for energy and capital infrastructure projects,’ the company added.

Panalpina said that it recently completed the registration of Panalpina Oman with a minority shareholding partner – the Daoud Group, a family-owned Omani business conglomerate.

Charles Francis, Panalpina’s country manager for Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, said, “Oman has become a pivotal geographical location for cargo flows to and from Qatar. Unlike some of the GCC countries, Oman has not introduced economic sanctions and its trade with Qatar has increased by more than three times since the embargo started two years ago.”

Panalpina’s operations in Oman were previously handled by an agent. Panalpina Oman will now cover core activities such as air freight, ocean freight and customs clearance.

Panalpina Group operates a global network with some 500 offices in around 70 countries, and it works with partner companies in another 100 countries.