Oman National Transport Company (OMTC)-Mwasalat is hosting the 7th United International Public Transport (UITP) MENA Assembly in Muscat from Feb. 12-16, 2017.
Being held with the support of Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), the assembly will focus on the new vision of public transport plan and objectives in the sultanate and will provide the chance to discuss different business opportunities through meetings with decision-makers.
Moreover, Mwasalat will present its future plans such as the long-term transport master plan, including new routes in other strategic cities, construction of public transport facilities and implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS).
The United International Public Transport for Middle East and North Africa (UITP MENA) covers an extensive area extending from Morocco in northwest Africa to Iran in southwest Asia aiming to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes.
The Assembly is a bi-annual event staged to showcase the two-year achievements of the region.
Mwasalat is a permanent member of UITP since 1983, and is the leading public transport company in Oman.
“This will be a conference that focuses on the implementation of the vision of public transport in Oman and the region, combining private sectors, governments, technologists and global investors, to set up a team to develop the public transportation sector for a new beginning,” Ahmad Al-Bulushi, CEO, Mwasalat, said.
Following the UITP MENA board meeting on Feb. 12, a seminar will take place on Feb. 13, while three training days will be conducted from Feb. 14 to 16.
“We are pleased to have this event in Muscat to support the new vision of public transport plans. The assembly will be covering Mwasalat’s objectives and challenges as well,” said UITP Secretary General Alain Flausch and UITP MENA Chairman Khaled Al-Hogail.
ONTC to host 7th UITP MENA Assembly in Muscat
ONTC to host 7th UITP MENA Assembly in Muscat
More crop per drop: NADEC and EF Polymer deploy breakthrough technology to cut agricultural water use by 40%
Following a strategic technology-scouting framework led by Universal Materials Incubator, the National Agricultural Development Company has entered into a partnership to launch large-scale field trials of EF Polymer, marking a significant step in deploying deep-technology solutions to strengthen the Kingdom’s food and water security.
The collaboration initiates field trials of EF Polymer’s proprietary solution — a 100 percent organic, biodegradable powder that performs like a “soil battery” upcycled from food waste. Engineered to address water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, the material can absorb up to 50 times its own weight in water and gradually release moisture directly to plant roots. This mechanism has the potential to reduce irrigation water use by up to 40 percent, while enhancing crop yield and long-term agricultural productivity.
Beyond water efficiency, EF Polymer improves nutrient retention by minimizing fertilizer leaching, thereby reducing overall fertilizer requirements. After approximately one year in the soil, the material fully biodegrades into organic carbon, organic matter, and trace nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and nitrogen — contributing directly to improved soil health and long-term fertility.
The solution is affordable, easy to apply, and suitable for a wide range of crops, making it viable both for individual farmers and for industrial-scale agricultural operations such as NADEC’s.
EF Polymer has already achieved significant commercial adoption across multiple global markets, including Japan, the US, India and Turkiye, where it is actively used by farmers and agribusiness operators to improve water efficiency, soil health, and crop resilience under varying climatic conditions.
Its organic credentials are certified by OMRI and Ecocert, reinforcing its alignment with sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
The stakes for this alliance are high. By 2030, global freshwater demand is projected to exceed supply by 40 percent. In Saudi Arabia, the challenge is localized but intense: the agricultural sector alone consumes approximately 11.4 billion cubic meters of water annually. This partnership underscores NADEC’s commitment to adopting innovative, scalable technologies that conserve natural resources while supporting resilient food systems across the Kingdom.
Mohamed Al-Rajhi, VP of supply chain sector at NADEC, said: “Strategic agriculture today requires a long-term commitment to soil health and resource circularity. NADEC is leading the shift toward regenerative practices that restore our natural capital rather than merely consuming it. By diversifying our crop portfolio and investing in closed-loop nutrient management, we are insulating our operations against global price volatility and environmental shifts.”
“We are aggressively deploying AI-driven irrigation systems and satellite-based crop monitoring to optimize every drop of water and every hectare of land. This strategic pivot toward agri-digitization allows us to mitigate climate risks in real-time while significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Our commitment to sustainability is our greatest competitive advantage, ensuring that NADEC remains the cornerstone of the Middle East’s agri-food sector for decades to come. These trials focus on strategic scalable crops like wheat and olive trees to ensure the future of the Kingdom’s food security is both sustainable and locally rooted,” he added.
Strategic trial milestones:
- Wheat: Trials have commenced to demonstrate water retention in this water-intensive crop.
- Olive and blueberry: Specialized testing is scheduled for March to evaluate yield improvements and nutrient efficiency.
This collaboration supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals of reducing non-renewable groundwater use by 90 percent.
