STRONGER TOGETHER
The next step of Port of Duqm's development will be looking for the right partners in operations, freight forwarding, and logistics to ensure its success.
BIOGRAPHY
Reggy Vermeulen is the CEO of Port Duqm. Prior to his current position, he was PDC's commercial director for three years. Before joining Port of Duqm in 2012, he was CEO of the port and industrial zone of Haiphong in Vietnam. Under his leadership, the area attracted over USD1.5 billion in investment and was elected amongst the top five companies in Vietnam. He started his career as a consultant at Deloitte, consulting with a specialization in supply chain optimization and company restructuring.
What is the status of Port of Duqm's infrastructure development, and how do these developments highlight the strategic roadmap of the port?
According to the initial timeline, the Port of Duqm will become a full capacity port capable of handling full-fledged operations by the end of 2020. In the meantime, we are actively looking for proper partners in different areas, such as operations, freight forwarding, and logistics. The choice of players we approach has to be cautious, because partnerships in the industry will redefine our business models. Historically, ports used to be built and operated by governments because the payback on just the quay holds is extremely long-term and rarely bankable. However, the PPP model is changing the nature of ports from a standard authority to an enabler of the logistics industry. The private sector is thus starting to be approached in strategic, large investments with long-term commitments in the Middle East just like other parts of the world. Within this environment, ports are not only physical platforms, but also technological ones too, from where information exchanges and visibility are enhanced.
What is the key to implementing technology where all key factors and pillars around port operations are successful and financially feasible?
While automation in the ports started 15 years ago, logistics is a slow moving and conservative industry whose transition to automation will depend on the opportunity cost of new technological investments versus the cost of labor. For this reason, automation will happen first where labor is more expensive, and the transition will be slow because of the skills that are required will change dramatically. Indeed, the industry would need to move from employees with lower education to hiring engineers and IT experts capable of operating sophisticated machines. That being said, it will eventually embrace every aspect of the industry, although container business, because of its high standardization measures, is expected to witness it before regular cargo or dry bulk. Moreover, the container business is the most time sensitive because the margins are sharp and small. It is all a matter of how fast you go and how efficient you turn your ship in the port.
How does consolidation under the ASYAD impact the port's logistics strategy?
The consolidation of all ports within the ASYAD Group has as great advantage that a national strategy can be rolled out to the benefit of the entire nation. Having said that, it is clear that each of the three industrial ports in Oman has its own identity, is operating in a distinct business environment, and offers unique selling points according to its individual clientele. There will always be an element of competition amongst the three ports, but it is clear that the national goal of Oman to become a leading global logistical hub, taking full advantage of its prime location, requires the three ports to look at its individual strengths and capture the market in the most possible innovative and creative way. The international competitive market will regulate in the end where each of the opportunities will go, and the different offerings by each entity will enhance Oman's chances for success. It is ASYAD's merit, as the major shareholder in each of the ports, having created a common vision and ambition allowing each entity to fully develop and focus on its individual strengths, while creating a horizontal alignment across all players in the logistics industry.
STRONGER TOGETHER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Future foreign policy
Friends to all, enemy to none
In championing the late Sultan Qaboos' non-interference foreign policy, the new ruler of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is determined to work for friendship and peace, justice and harmony, and coexistence and positive constructive dialogue.
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David Kalife, CEO, Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO)
Despite Oman's fuel market slowing down, OOMCO increased its sales volume of lubricants by 36% in 2019 and is constructing a greenfield bunker terminal at the Port of Duqm. The company has transformed while growing its expertise in Marketing and Digital.
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Azzan Al Busaidi, CEO, Ithraa
Azzan Al Busaidi is an expert in competitiveness and economic growth. He was appointed CEO of Ithraa in 2019 after 17 years spent covering managerial roles in the organization. Al Busaidi was previously Ithraa's director general of planning and studies and is a strong advocate of the potential of digitization. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a BSc in Economics from Sultan Qaboos University.
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Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion & Former Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Private Omani companies will be able to benefit greatly from the Fourth Industrial Revolution by enhancing their local value-added strategies and upskilling the workforce.
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Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
The Central Bank of Oman's job is to ensure there is adequate liquidity in the system and that banks remain robust and resilient to meet the credit requirements of all segments without undermining financial stability.
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Capital markets
CMA and MSM are supporting Vision 2040 by providing financing to government companies that intend to go public, financing expansion of existing and new IPOs, and widening the investors base in Oman by enhancing and developing the investment funds and insurance industries.
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Khalid Al Balushi, CEO, Khazaen Economic City
International investors and business owners can benefit from Khazaen Economic City's strategic location and its close proximity to the main gateways of the country to import, process, manufacture, distribute locally, and export their goods and services.
read articleFocus: Port 4.0
Destined for greatness
Investments in world-class infrastructure have generated huge rewards for Oman. The goal now is to leverage technology as a disruptive enabler, build human capacity across the public and private logistics sectors, and drive operational efficiencies to build an integrated logistics business environment that is benchmarked against the world's best.
read articleFocus: Gap in tourism services
All bases covered
An amalgamation of local companies and unique experiences in Oman has created an original flavor that is further differentiating Oman's tourism offering from other countries and in the process attracting scores of tourists from all across the world.
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Engineering design
Renardet Engineering Consultants and Design Unit Engineering are recognized experts in their fields. While the former is an international company strongly committed to excellent engineering consultancy services and environmental practices, the latter is an Oman-based team of architects and engineers that incorporates local culture and traditions.
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Construction materials
Oman's construction sector is facing a host of challenges, but Hempel Paints and Al Maha Ceramics are confident that a mix of forward-thinking business models, unique products, and strong government initiatives will help them through turbulent times and generate positive returns in the long run.
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Salim Razvi, CEO, Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA)
Focusing on higher education institutional accreditation, program accreditation, and the updating and maintaining of the Oman Qualifications Framework, OAAA is helping further advance higher education in the Sultanate.
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