MUSCAT: November 22, 2016. DHL Express has signed an agreement with the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) to explore mutual logistics opportunities at the country's airports. The industry is expected to be one of the key drivers of the Sultanate's economic diversification.

Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed Al-Hosni, CEO of OAMC said given Oman's geographical position and strong infrastructure base, cooperating with DHL was a reflection of the importance logistics can play in the country's future.

"Over the coming period we will implement the memorandum signed today to pave the way for one of the largest logistics centers regionally at Muscat International Airport," he declared.

Earlier this year OAMC announced a strategy for Oman airports to be ranked amongst the top 20 in the world by 2020. "Our memorandum with DHL paves the way for Muscat International Airport to play major role in securing opportunities to support various businesses in Oman," he said. "[It] also falls in line with the launch of the Oman International Logistics Group, a government holding company aimed at developing and growing this important sector," added Sheikh Aiman.

DHL Express CEO for the Middle East and North Africa Nour Suliman noted: "Oman's ideal geographical location covers one of the most important logistics tracks for the movement of trade in the region. In the past few years, [the country] has witnessed an unprecedented boom in infrastructure including roads, airports, and ports which will play a major role in facilitating international trade movement in the region."

Suliman said his company was looking forward to being a key contributor to Oman's future logistics plan.

The agreement with DHL follows the start of a four times-a- week B737-800 service between Dhaka, Bangladesh and Muscat by US-Bangla Airlines. The carrier said it also plans to start flights to Kolkata, Singapore and Doha before the end of this year.

According to Sheikh Aiman, Bengali nationals are the largest foreign community in Muscat, numbering more than 760,000.

(Pictured left to right: Nour Suliman, DHL Express CEO for the Middle East and North Africa, and Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed Al-Hosni, CEO of OAMC.)