Oman: MoHT plans to develop Al Jabal Al Sharqi site
In coordination with the Governor's Office of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate and relevant authorities, the ministry confirmed that the Governorate recently floated a tender for the construction of Al Jabal Al Sharqi Oasis project.
The initiative, which was announced in April this year, will help enhance basic public services in the area in line with the ministry's tourism development strategies. The ministry also stated that efforts are underway in collaboration with the Governorate to implement elements of the 11th Five-Year Development Plan.
These include comprehensive service frameworks aimed at meeting the needs of major tourist sites and landmarks across the governorate, in parallel with the ministry's broader tourism development agenda.
The ministry stressed its commitment to transforming Al Jabal Al Sharqi into a high-quality tourism destination with integrated tourism elements, while ensuring a delicate balance between tourism growth, environmental sustainability and preservation of the area's natural features. It also underlined the need for relevant stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of agreed-upon development projects, and noted that it would take the necessary legal steps, including land reclamation measures for investment plots that remain undeveloped or have failed to meet the intended development projects.
2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economy ME
14 hours ago
- Economy ME
Moody's upgrades Oman's credit rating to Baa3 with stable outlook, citing improved debt metrics
Moody's Ratings has elevated Oman's long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings to Baa3 from Ba1, while also adjusting the outlook to stable from positive. This upgrade signals expectations that Oman's government debt metrics will stay robust, even if oil prices dip below Moody's medium-term assumption of $65 per barrel. The rating agency highlighted the significant reduction in the debt burden over recent years and the cumulative impact of spending restraint as key factors enhancing Oman's resilience to potential future declines in oil demand and prices. At the close of 2024, Oman's government debt burden fell to 35.5 percent of GDP, down from 37.5 percent at the end of 2023, marking a continuation of the improvement trend since 2020. Moody's anticipates that most of Oman's debt ratios will keep improving in the upcoming years, albeit at a more modest pace than observed over the past four years. A stronger debt position grants the government greater fiscal space and time to implement structural reforms aimed at reducing the country's heavy economic and fiscal reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. Balancing fiscal risks Government expenditure has decreased to less than 29 percent of GDP in 2024, down from an average of over 41 percent during the period from 2016 to 2020. This spending restraint has consequently lowered Oman's fiscal breakeven oil price to under $70 per barrel for 2024-2025, compared to an average exceeding $84 per barrel in 2016-2020. The stable outlook strikes a balance against fiscal risks across various oil price scenarios. Upside risks are primarily linked to regional geopolitical tensions that could push oil prices higher, while downside risks involve the potential for an accelerated global carbon transition, which may lead to weakened hydrocarbon revenue. Additionally, Moody's raised Oman's local currency and foreign currency country ceilings to A3 from Baa1 and to Baa1 from Baa2, respectively. The rating agency remarked that Oman's credit profile remains vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices due to its economic and fiscal reliance on hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon sector contributed, on average, around 34 percent of GDP, 56 percent of exports, and 76 percent of government revenue during the period from 2020 to 2024. Long-term economic reforms In terms of longer-term upside potential, ongoing fiscal and economic reforms are noteworthy, including plans to introduce a 5 percent personal income tax by 2028, develop a large green hydrogen sector, and expand liquefied natural gas production capacity by a third by 2030. Oman's economy exhibited a consistent growth rate of 2.5 percent in real GDP by the conclusion of Q1 2025, reaching OMR9.43 billion ($24.52 billion) at market prices—an increase from OMR9.2 billion during the same timeframe in 2024, as reported by Oman's National Centre for Statistics and Information. This uptick in GDP was primarily driven by robust performance in non-oil sectors, which experienced a 4.4 percent increase in added value, climbing to OMR6.92 billion compared to OMR6.63 billion in Q1 2024. Oil activities faced a slight decline of 0.4 percent, contributing OMR2.92 billion in Q1 2025, down from OMR2.94 billion the previous year. Crude oil production decreased by 2.2 percent to OMR2.45 billion, while natural gas production emerged as a positive factor, soaring by 9.5 percent to OMR475.3 million. Read more: Oman's tourism attracts $6.7 billion in investments from $7.8 billion target by end of 2025 Budget surplus and current account gains Oman recorded a budget surplus of 6.2 percent and a current account gain of 2.4 percent in 2024, attributed to prudent fiscal policies, elevated oil prices, and growth in nonhydrocarbon exports. In its 2024 Article IV consultation, the International Monetary Fund credited these outcomes to effective economic management. Despite increased social spending under a new protection law, the nonhydrocarbon primary deficit as a share of nonhydrocarbon gross domestic product remained stable, highlighting the government's commitment to financial discipline. Government debt as a percentage of GDP further declined, reaching 35 percent in 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in Oman's economic fundamentals. The Sultanate of Oman experienced an average inflation rate of 0.81 percent during the initial five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Consumer Price Index data released by the Ministry of Economy. The report underscored a 1.3 percent rise in the general import price index and a 4.1 percent increase in the producer price index by the end of the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Geographical distribution revealed varied inflation rates across governorates, with South Al Batinah recording a slight decline of 0.04 percent, while A'Dakhiliyah saw the highest rate at 1.58 percent, closely followed by Musandam at 1.51 percent and South A'Sharqiyah at 1.24 percent. More moderate increases were observed in North A'Sharqiyah (0.21 percent) and North Al Batinah (0.42 percent), with other governorates remaining below one percent.
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister directs gov't to intensify dialogue on municipal, governorate councils laws
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan directs the government to increase national dialogue on laws governing municipal and governorate councils, stressing the need for the inclusion of relevant stakeholders to help draft laws that improve the performance of municipalities and governorate councils and raise them to the desired level. The prime minister's instructions were given during a Cabinet session he chaired on Wednesday, the Jordan news agency, Petra, reported. The session followed the recent decision to dissolve municipal and governorate councils, paving the way for legislative reforms aligned with the political modernisation agenda. Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri briefed the Cabinet on the performance of temporary committees formed to oversee municipal affairs during this transitional period. The Cabinet emphasised the need for these committees to coordinate effectively with all stakeholders to improve public services, enhance infrastructure, and continue the digitisation of municipal operations. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to legislative reforms to strengthen local governance, calling for broader national dialogue involving key institutions and the public, according to Petra. In a move it said aimed at supporting the tourism sector and stimulating the economy, the Cabinet approved the extension of a special tax exemption on airline tickets for flights departing from King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba for an additional three years. The measure aims to attract more airlines, increase tourist numbers, and lower travel costs, ultimately boosting Aqaba's tourism appeal and contributing to the national economy. The Cabinet also endorsed a draft bylaw to establish, license, and operate an independent electric transmission system. It also covers the procedures for setting up self-generation or storage stations connected to the new system. The Cabinet also approved the settlement of 672 tax disputes between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers. The move is part of ongoing efforts to stimulate economic activity and help citizens resolve outstanding tax issues, Petra said. Also during the session, the Cabinet Cabinet approved key financial and legal documents related to the National Water Carrier Project, in cooperation with the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The project aims to provide 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually and improve supply to all governorates. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Planning a road trip to Salalah? UAE travellers share safety tips after Dhofar crash
As Khareef rains turn Oman's Dhofar governorate into a lush, green paradise, thousands of UAE residents are gearing up for road trips to Salalah, a much-loved getaway this time of year. But with five lives lost in a tragic road accident in Dhofar on Friday morning, experienced travellers are urging caution before hitting the road. The multi-vehicle collision that occurred in Dhofar involved three vehicles and claimed the lives of two Omanis and three Emiratis. Among the 11 injured, nine were Emiratis, five of them children. Residents who have driven to Salalah during previous Khareef seasons say the terrain and weather conditions in Dhofar are unlike anything motorists experience in the UAE. 'It's nothing like city driving' 'I have driven from Dubai to Salalah twice during Khareef,' said Abdullah Masry, a resident of Silicon oasis and an adventurer. 'Once you leave the desert landscape and start approaching Dhofar, the entire terrain changes. You are suddenly in the middle of hills, fog, and non-stop drizzle. It's beautiful, but very tricky to drive in.' Most of the route is smooth highway, but as travellers enter the mountainous roads near Wadi Dawkha after Thurmait, the path winds through sharp turns, steep inclines, and mist-covered hills. 'Visibility drops to a few metres sometimes in some areas,' said Masry. 'The roads get slippery, and you often don't realise you are speeding because of the downhill stretches.' Precautions before you go Here is what experienced UAE residents recommend for those planning the journey this season: UAE residents who have made the journey to Salalah before strongly advise against rushing the drive. 'Break the trip into two days, if needed,' said Shaji Mathew, a frequent road tripper. 'Start early, take regular breaks, and avoid driving after sunset, especially in the mountains.' Before entering Dhofar, drivers should ensure their vehicles are in excellent condition. Tyres must have good grip and brakes should be responsive, especially given the slippery, rain-soaked roads. Visibility often drops due to fog and mist, so using fog lights and low beams, instead of high beams is crucial. The misty roads in Dhofar can be deceptive, and it's common to encounter livestock such as cows, goats, and camels crossing unexpectedly, particularly near rural farms. Some turns along the route are narrow and sharply curved, making it essential to slow down even if the speed limit allows 80kmph. 'The rain is light but persistent, and it keeps the roads constantly damp,' said Shaji. Additionally, travellers are advised to keep a close eye on their fuel levels. Once past Nizwa and Adam, the distance between petrol stations are far, so it's best to top up the tank whenever possible. Demand surge for Khareef With schools closed and the UAE summer peaking, Salalah remains a dream escape for many. 'A lot of people are travelling now as Khareef is in full swing. We are seeing heavy demand and receiving a high number of requests for Oman visas,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Those planning to drive must ensure their car is fully serviced, tyres are in good condition, and avoid using cruise control, especially on hilly and slippery roads. It's important to stay alert and take control of the vehicle at all times,' added Subair.
