Karwa Motors begins taking orders for 5,000 school buses

Muscat: Karwa Motors, a joint venture between Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Qatar’s Mawasalat, has announced the start of production of around 5,000 school buses for the local education sector.

The announcement, made in a blog post by Karwa Motors CEO Dr. Ibrahim bin Ali al Balushi, is in line with agreements signed earlier this year with a number of government ministries and state agencies, effectively positioning the Duqm-based automaker as the country’s number one supplier of buses for government schools and public sector enterprises.

“We have started producing school buses for the local market – 1,000 buses per year over the next five years,” said Dr Al Balushi.

In early March this year, Karwa Motors signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Development Bank of Oman to cover the assembly and supply of 5,000 school buses designed to meet high roadworthiness and safety standards. These new “Made in Oman” vehicles are expected to be delivered at a rate of 1,000 per year and will replace school buses that are about to be scrapped.

Under another agreement with the government tender board, Karwa Motors will also receive preferential treatment in procurement of buses by state-owned enterprises and departments.

The two agreements are expected to put Karwa Motors on a strong growth trajectory in line with the Omani government’s vision to reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

Since starting operations in 2021, the company has also begun diversifying its assembly lines, starting with delivering buses for the 2022 World Cup. Earlier this year, the company began delivering buses designed for intercity commuting to local transport companies.

Last September, the company signed an agreement with TAG Duqm, a subsidiary of American Armour Group (TAG), to collaborate on the production of armoured vehicles at the Duqm plant. TAG specialises in the production and supply of hardened, ballistic vehicles to meet the needs of law enforcement and military, personal protection and cash transport service providers.