MUSCAT: May 17, 2017. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is to support the Oman Global Logistics Group (OGLG) in developing Oman as a major logistics hub.

The IRU and OGLG have agreed to implement the U.N. TIR Convention as well as develop training and professional certification for commercial road transport and the digitalization of logistics systems.

IRU secretary general Umberto de Pretto commented: "IRU is extremely pleased to be working together with OGLG to help transform the potential of road transport in Oman, bringing our nearly 70 years of experience and our global network to the endeavor."

The IRU said the agreement with OGLG is aimed at improving the country's soft infrastructure, particularly the regulatory environment, as Oman's strategic location "suggests huge potential for trade acceleration".

Oman's Nabil Al Bimani, executive director for Oman's National Logistics Strategy explained: "In cooperation with IRU, we aim to encourage and facilitate road transport, simplifying regulations and practices related to the movement of goods along domestic and international routes."

OGLG said the agreement also sets out a road map for adopting professional qualifications for drivers and managers - such as those provided by IRU Academy – and reinforces Oman's intention to adopt international Customs transit standards.

IRU was founded in 1948 in Geneva to help post-war Europe rebuild its trade and commercial links and began developing the TIR Convention in 1949.

Last year China ratified the Convention and is now able to export goods to the European Union and Turkey under a single, simplified transit procedure.

Pictured signing the IRU agreement left to right: Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al-Futaisi, Oman minister of Transport & Communications, and Tim Davies, IRU head of Global Expansion.