INTEGRATED SERVICES

Al Madina Logistics has set up a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Barka. The company has also developed the first inland port in Oman under the name of Muscat Container Depot, which provides onestop shop services for export and import goods and containers, says Mahmood Sakhi Al Balushi, CEO, in an interview with Oommen John P

CAN YOU SHARE DETAILS OF AL MADINA LOGISTICS COMPANY’S PRESENCE IN OMAN?

Al Madina Logistics is an Omani company specialised in providing logistics and supply chain services to all types of businesses. The services cover a wide range of logistics services such as freight and customs clearance, transportation, warehousing, inventory management and distribution. All services are ISO certified, mainly ISO9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and ISO 22000.

In addition to the logistics services, it has established the first inland port in Oman under the name of Muscat Container Depot. It has one-stop shop for all services needed to clear export or import goods. In this one-stop shop, you can process all your export and imports goods and containers by Oman Customs, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Ministry of Environment.

HOW IS AL MADINA LOGISTICS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN SECTOR?

Being a specialised logistics company, we believe that Al Madina Logistics

must play a vital role in the overall growth of logistics and supply chain sector in Oman. To be part of the growth, we have developed the stateof-the-art distribution centre in Barka. We also operate with best in class inventory system that handle any type of product and can be integrated with any type of ERP of clients.

We have also developed the first inland port in Oman under the name of Muscat Container Depot, which provides one- stop shop services for export and import goods and containers in addition to the CFS services for the LCL containers. In addition, Al Madina Logistics provides cold chain services for all fisheries export containers so that the Omani products gets a high rating in the international markets. Muscat Container Depot also plays a vital role as extended gateways for the sea ports and borders to facilitate the trade between Oman and the world.

WHAT ARE THE NEW INITIATIVES AND EXPANSION PLANS OF THE COMPANY?

Al Madina Logistics continues its growth plans. It has already accomplished a number of milestones in the recent past years. The new growth plans include the lately signed agreement with Duqm Port to develop a logistics facility at Logistics Zone in the Port, and development of logistics facilities in Sohar and Khazaen Logistics Hub at South Batinah region. The expansion and growth plans include logistics facilities and bonded & inland port services at these new locations.

HOW IS THE LOGISTICS SECTOR CONTRIBUTING TO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION?

The logistics sector is a vital sector of the Oman economy. It is one of the five main sectors of the strategy to enhance economic diversification. The logistics sector has great potential to develop the overall GDP and create greater employment opportunities. The mega projects such as the world-class sea ports and new airports backed with free zones and economic zones, all contribute to further growth and enhance the economic diversification.

We are already experiencing the effect of the bigger role of the logistics sector in the overall economy and enhanced investment in the sector as it plays a critical role in all other business activities. Further, the strategic geographical location positions

Oman as a competitive and preferred logistics hub for regional and international trade.