Focus on Muscat Metro as Oman-France deepen cooperation on mobility projects

MUSCAT: From easing traffic in the capital to enhancing cross-border connectivity with the UAE, Oman’s modern rail ambitions took centre stage at the Oman-France Rail & Mobility Day 2025. The event, organised by Business France and backed by the French Embassy, spotlighted key transport projects under Oman Vision 2040—particularly the Muscat Metro and the Hafeet Rail Link.

A delegation of 13 French firms joined senior officials from Mwasalat, ASYAD, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce for the high-level meet, inaugurated by Luciano Rispoli, deputy head of mission at the French Embassy in Oman. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in rail engineering, safety, and mobility technologies.

At the heart of this mobility overhaul is the Muscat Metro project—a 50-kilometre network with 36 stations currently undergoing feasibility studies. Designed to connect residential, commercial, and transit hubs across the capital, the metro promises to redefine urban transport, reduce congestion, and support greener travel modes.
Complementing it is the Hafeet Rail Project, which will connect Oman and the UAE, streamlining both freight and passenger movement across key economic zones. Together, these projects represent over $4 billion in recent transport investments under Oman’s 2021–2025 Transport and Logistics Strategy.

France’s mobility expertise was front and centre at the event. Firms like Dassault Systèmes showcased simulation tools for rail optimisation, while VINCI Construction Grands Projets, RATP Dev, and others shared best practices in large-scale infrastructure and urban transit systems. Apave, Codra, and Saarstahl Rail also presented cutting-edge solutions in safety, maintenance, and digital infrastructure.