The use of technology and innovation is one of the incentives that can attract young people to [come and work for] Oman’s transport and logistics sector, a high-ranking government executive tells MEED.

“On the one hand you have digitalisation potentially threatening the majority of jobs in the global logistics sector,” says Nabil bin Salim al-Bimani, group chief, ports and free zones at Oman Global Logistics Group (Asyad), “but on the other hand the growing use of technologies and innovation makes the sector more attractive to young people who love to learn and use them.”

The executive adds that Asyad has been seeking to create such opportunities, with technology and human capital two of the key pillars of Oman’s long-term logistics strategy.

“We have tried to identify what the future job looks like, and how we can position ourselves to be ready for that future,” he cites. “We will miss more opportunities if we ignore … new technologies. We actually want what our young people want.”

Al-Mibani is a member of the organising committee of the International Road Union (IRU) World Congress to be held in Muscat on 6-8 November.

The conference, which aims to bring together private and public sector experts and decision-makers, will focus on innovation in mobility, transport and logistics.