Sultanate of Oman, KSA road officially opens

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially opened the 725-km Empty Quarter Road, directly linking the two countries for the first time.

As part of the security system for land ports management, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has activated its operations at the newly opened Empty Quarter. "With an aim to ease movement and transportation, the border is equipped with advanced systems and devices to provide a number of services, including passports and residency, tax clearance, audit, and inspection for exports and imports," an official statement said.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement on Tuesday at the conclusion of the state visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In this context, the two sides welcomed the announcement of the opening of the 725-km Saudi-Omani road, which will contribute to the smooth movement of citizens of the two countries and the integration of supply chains in order to achieve the desired economic integration between the two countries.

The direct 725 km-long Empty Quarter Road, inaugurated today, starts on the Sultanate of Oman at the Ibri roundabout in Al Dhahirah Governorate and ends at the Empty Quarter crossing with a length of 161 km, while the road starts from the side of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the Batha intersection and ends at the border crossing with a length of 564 km.

Initially, commercial trucks will be allowed to cross the border between 8 am and 5 pm, while the movement of people will be allowed 24/7.

They also welcomed the opening of border checkpoints in the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Eng. Saeed Bin Hamoud Al-Mawali, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIIT) said in a statement that the opening of the strategic road will contribute to strengthening social communication between citizens of the two countries.

He said that the road will facilitate traffic and movement of citizens and residents between the two countries and will support the various commercial, economic, tourism, and investment sectors.

On the Oman side, the road will connect ports, free zones and airports, which will contribute to revitalizing the movement of transport and goods.

The Empty Quarter Road is of great importance in opening up prospects for cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially in the economic aspect, as it contributes to expanding the volume of trade exchange, reviving tourism, and enabling Omani exports to reach the rest of the world through the Red Sea gateway.

The Empty Quarter Road is of great importance as it will contribute to expanding the volume of trade exchange, reviving tourism, and enabling Omani exports to reach the rest of the world through the Red Sea ports.

It will enable Saudi exports to reach the rest of the world directly through the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea.