As with much of the rest of the world, the Sultanate of Oman is working with a lot of passion to advance renewables as part of a broader effort to mitigate risks stemming from global warming.
Also contributing to this goal are electric cars with the Sultanate of Oman having recently marked the launch of a locally designed and crafted Electric Vehicle (EV) — a development that augurs well for the growth of an EV sector in the country.
According to Jota Yamamoto, Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman, a stronger uptake of electric cars — and potentially hydrogen-powered cars in the future — will necessitate investments in support infrastructure, notably charging stations for EVs and refueling stations for hydrogen vehicles.
“Electric Vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles will depend upon infrastructures in Oman: i.e., to which extent charge/fuel stations, energy production facilities and supplying networks may be ensured in Oman. This requires a comprehensive social approach, thus public-private collaboration is critical. I wish that the newly announced Omani-made EV will further motivate this necessary development of infrastructures'', he said.
Japan, a world-leader in automotive production, is investing majorly in EV and hydrogen-powered transportation solutions.
In remarks to the 'Observer', the Ambassador voiced hope that global supply chain challenges that had severely impacted a number of key economic sectors, including automotive production, would be fully addressed.
“I am cautiously optimistic'', said Ambassador Yamamoto. “Indeed, I can be optimistic, as the total number of registered vehicles has gradually restored since March 2021, and we have somehow overcome pandemic-derived difficulties in supply chains and logistics. This may facilitate the return to normality and a further recovery of the entire economy'', he noted.
“At the same time, a sense of caution may still be necessary not because of Covid-19, but because the recent incident has given us new challenges. For car manufacturers keeping global supply and logistical chain, the current circumstances may be volatile, and make their network fragile'', the Ambassador added.
Industry experts point out that many of the world’s leading car manufacturers have had their production lines affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Production had been reduced due to lockdowns and pandemic-related precautions, as well as disruptions in the logistics sector. These logistical disruptions have caused companies around the world and in all sectors to suffer.
A report in the 'Financial Times' warns that lingering delays caused by the pandemic will likely continue during 2022. In particular, small companies are struggling to secure space on container ships to maintain the movement of production and sales, while still directing the pressure of cash flow fuelled by the rapid pace of rising freight rates.
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