In the big top! - MAN inmotion

Worldwide Middle East
18
inmotion
1|2012
Oman on the up
Heat and humidity, rugged terrain, bumpy roads – Oman is
a tough place for both people and machines. Economically,
however, the country is far from rocky, with rich oil reserves
powering greater demand for trucks and service.
Photos and article by: Richard Kienberger
The Salmah Plateau is a rugged
mountain landscape, a rocky desert that is accessible only
via wild, untamed slopes. The roads are rough-hewn into the
loose rock and in places they are so steep and narrow that
even all-terrain pickups have trouble handling the tight
corners. But people do live in this arid environment, mainly
goat and sheep farmers struggling to eke out a living. Close
to the handful of houses that make up the small mountain
village of Qurran, a brand-new MAN TGM 18.240 painted in
eye-catching red and white heralds progress for the lives of
the inhabitants. The truck driver and his two colleagues are
transporting wooden poles to the remote region. The poles
will be used to hold a power line that is being set up in the
area and that has already reached a spot just a few kilometres
down the hill. In a few weeks’ time the line will connect
the village up to the electricity grid. This exciting new
development in Qurran is evidence of the economic progress
in Oman, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula with
abundant oil and gas reserves like its larger neighbours Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Once a poor country,
Oman has been making significant economic progress,
especially during the last ten years. In addition to building an
electricity grid, the country has been investing heavily in
roads and infrastructure projects such as the expansion of
sea ports and airports. Oman’s ruler, Sultan Qaboos, wants to
get his country in shape for what comes after the oil boom.
And his investment programme has also increased demand
for trucks and logistical services.
Top results in the Middle East
MAN is benefitting from the Sultan’s programme too. In
2011 it sold some 3,600 units in its Middle East sales