logo
His Majesty receives credentials of foreign ambassadors

His Majesty receives credentials of foreign ambassadors

Muscat Daily18-06-2025
Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received at Al Barakah Palace on Wednesday credentials of ambassadors of three countries appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.
The ambassadors included:
Lyu Jian, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Sultanate of Oman Ibrahima Seck, Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal
Ibrahima Seck, Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the Sultanate of Oman Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Sultanate of Oman
During their meetings with His Majesty the Sultan, the ambassadors conveyed greetings of their countries' leaders to His Majesty. They also expressed their great honour and delight at presenting their credentials to His Majesty the Sultan, wishing that their mission will be crowned with success in serving the mutual interests of their countries and Oman.
They underlined their sincere commitment and firm determination to promote relations of cooperation, partnership and investment across all fields, in a manner that serves the joint interests.
His Majesty the Sultan welcomed the ambassadors. He expressed his gratitude for their leaders' greetings and best wishes, wishing the ambassadors success in carrying out their duties.
His Majesty affirmed that they would receive all support from the government and the Omani people to facilitate carrying out their duties in a bid to achieve the desired goals.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, the Foreign Minister, the Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman, the Head of the Royal Protocols and the Military Aides to His Majesty the Sultan.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iran, E3 countries agree to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Istanbul
Iran, E3 countries agree to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Istanbul

Muscat Daily

timea day ago

  • Muscat Daily

Iran, E3 countries agree to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Istanbul

Istanbul – Iran and the three European countries of France, Germany and Britain, collectively known as the E3, have agreed to resume nuclear talks this Friday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported late Sunday. 'Iran and the European troika – comprising France, Germany and Britain – will resume nuclear negotiations on Friday in Istanbul,' the broadcaster said. Earlier in the day, the outlet reported that the four parties agreed in principle to resume nuclear negotiations next week, without providing details on the time and location. In talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, the top diplomats of the UK, France, Germany and the European Union had emphasized the urgency of returning to diplomacy for a nuclear deal, or else they were prepared to trigger the UN 'snapback' mechanism reimposing international sanctions. Talks between Tehran and the US were being held through Omani mediators until Israel's surprise attack on Iran on June 13, which triggered a 12-day war. The attack came just two days before a planned sixth round of negotiations in the Omani capital Muscat. Iran accused the US of complicity in the Israeli attack, which killed top Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists and civilians. The US also launched strikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites, claiming to have obliterated them. A ceasefire took effect on June 24. While the US and Europeans say Iran can never have a nuclear bomb, Tehran argues its program is meant for peaceful use of nuclear power. After the talks with the E3 and EU, Araghchi said it was the US that withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord and any new round of talks is only possible 'when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial nuclear deal.' 'If EU/E3 want to have a role, they should act responsibly and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure, including the 'snap-back' for which they lack absolutely no moral and legal ground,' he said on X. -Agencies

Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection
Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection

Observer

timea day ago

  • Observer

Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection

Muscat: More than 1.53 million individuals across various categories have benefited from Social Protection Fund in the country, reflecting the government's continued commitment to inclusive welfare under Oman Vision 2040. The SPF indicated that the largest share of beneficiaries were children, with numbers reaching 1,243,781. Senior citizens accounted for 173,324 beneficiaries, while 47,579 people with disabilities also received assistance under the fund's social protection umbrella. The report further highlights that 16,777 individuals received the job security allowance – a safety net designed to protect Omani workers from sudden income loss. 56,808 beneficiaries received 'family income support', with 36,632 specifically receiving family income support and 20,176 applications processed under the social security payment scheme. Additionally, 16,041 widows and orphans were covered by dedicated support programmes. In terms of social insurance, the Fund reported 141,000 active pensions disbursed as of June 2025. The report also highlighted a positive trend in contributions, with over 594,000 Omanis signing up for the insurance. The Social Protection Fund has paved the way for implementing the provisions of the Social Protection Law since the beginning of 2024. Steps in this direction include setting up branches of social insurance and social protection schemes that establish pillars for the protection of individuals and family members against multiple risks in life within the framework of a future vision for comprehensive social protection. Over 1.5 million Omanis get social protection Direct cash benefits are disbursed to those eligible across different segments of society. The schemes are fully funded by the state's public treasury, which saw the introduction of schemes to persons with disabilities, children, the elderly, orphans and widows. The Social Protection Fund has been linked with 12 government institutions during 2024. The system represents a very advanced step in extending protection to Omani citizens. It reflects the deep attention accorded to the social aspects by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in accordance with what is included in the Basic Law of the State and Oman Vision 2040. GRAPH POINT WITH PHOTO 1,243,781 children 173,324 Senior citizens 47,579 people with disabilities 16,777 Job security allowance 594,000 Insurance subscribers 36,632 Family income support

Employment: policies, progress, and prospects
Employment: policies, progress, and prospects

Observer

time3 days ago

  • Observer

Employment: policies, progress, and prospects

Oman is currently going through an extensive national transformation as outlined in Vision 2040 which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, and promote sustainable development. One of the most defining features of this transformation is the integrated framework designed around the strategic goal of generating employment opportunities for nationals and increasing local content in all economic activities. Oman's development agenda also places critical importance on 'local content', which can broadly be referred to as the value added of the workforce, goods, and services employed in a specific industry. It is my intention in this article to examine the evolving landscape of employment in Oman, local content policies and laws, sectoral performance, the role of SMEs, skill development programs, as well as the impending challenges and prospects of the economic transformation. Oman's inclusive economic resilience vision is being supported by government programs and hard data, and this is what the paper seeks to present. NATIONAL LOCAL CONTENT POLICY (2024-2030) In 2024 the council of ministers approved the national local content policy (2024-2030) as a guiding document aimed at embedding Omani goods, services, and labor into the economy. Maximising the in-country value (ICV) generated from public and private sector investments is one of the main objectives under the policy. It also supports Oman Vision 2040 on economic diversification, social inclusion, and sustainability. The policy is built on four strategic pillars: • Supply Chain Development: Sponsoring local Omanis by both the government and private sectors as suppliers and contractors. • Workforce Development: Equipping Omanis through strategic educational programs, vocational trainings, and practical job placements. • Innovation and Technology Transfer: Improving the national capabilities through partnering in R&D and knowledge transfer as well as through licensing. • Entrepreneurship and SME Participation: Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through finance, mentorship, and contract allocation. The policy requires the ministries and large corporations to embed the ICV framework into their tendering processes. This also includes provisions for workforce, procurement from Omani suppliers, and local subcontractor employment. To foster sustainable job creation, Oman has established targeted Omanisation goals tailored to particular sectors. OMANISATION STRATEGY Legal Changes: To boost Omanis' employment opportunities, the country introduced several new labor laws and ministerial decrees. The most impactful include: • Labour Law No. 53/2023: Introduces new rules on employment contracts, termination, and conflict resolution. • Ministerial Decree No. 501/2024: Broadened the scope of occupations reserved for Omanis and added fines for breaches. • Workforce Localisation Plans: Companies must file annual plans detailing the number of Omanis employed (or to be employed), their distribution by gender, salary, training, and outlined promotion pathways. Non-licenced firms may be penalised with fines, restricted expatriate hiring, or barred from public tenders. Omanisation Sector Goals: To foster sustainable job creation, Oman has established targeted Omanisation goals tailored to particular sectors. These depend on the strategic value and labor intensity of each sector: Banking & Insurance (60-70%), Manufacturing (35-40%), Retail/Wholesale (20-25%), Oil & Gas (40-50%), Tourism & Hospitality (30-35%), and Construction (15-20%). These benchmarks are met through mandatory quotas, regular audits, and integration into the licensing and visa issuance processes. The private sector is the backbone of Oman's economy, with a workforce of more than 1.7 million. Nevertheless, the share of Omanis working in it is very small in proportion to foreign workers. Employment in the Public Sector: As noted earlier, the public sector continues to be the biggest employer of Omanis, with more than 90 per cent coming from the local population out of a total of 195,902 employees. Focused on increasing the number of Omanis in the private sector, the government has also implemented new policies and training initiatives directed at the sector. LOCALLY DEVELOPED CONTENT AND RESULTS Key Initiatives: A number of local content initiatives have been started at the national level to achieve the intended objectives: • Majd Programme: Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Energy & Minerals, this initiative mandates that 10-30% of contract value in the energy sector be allocated to Omani companies and SMEs. 12 contracts amounting to 172.5 million USD were granted in the first phase. • Taseen and Itqan Programs: These industrial development initiatives are aimed at decreasing the volume of imports, increasing local production, and advancing research and development activities. They also promote partnerships between local companies and foreign technology partners. Economic and Employment Impact: The economic impact of local content policies is visible on a much wider scale. • More than $33 billion has been injected into the local economy as from 2013 • Over 3000 direct employment opportunities in the private sector • Around 100 industrial facilities established with total investments of $400 million SME Participation in Local Content Small and medium enterprises are a cornerstone of Oman's local content strategy. The government has put in place systems such as Riyada and Esnad that enable SMEs access to government contracts, training opportunities, and funding options. Oman has committed itself to develop an education and training ecosystem that cultivates market-oriented skills among its youth. • Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET): Offers diploma and certificate courses in engineering, electronics, mechanics, and logistics. • Public-Private Collaboration: Employers work with polytechnics and schools to align course content with workplace expectations. • STEM and Digital Skills: Coding, AI, and renewable energy are national priorities. • Mandatory Training Plans: Expat employment mandates carry with them legal obligations to train Omanis for the role. SCULPTING VALUE AND PROFIT: • Value Retention: Offsetting capital outflows through local production and procurement. • Job Creation: Thousands of jobs created predominantly among women and youth. • SME Empowerment: Entrepreneurial opportunities from greater access to tenders. • Innovation: National competitiveness is enhanced through incentivised R&D and technology transfer. FURTHER ISSUES AND CONCERNS: Despite these developments, the following issues are still a concern: • Skill Gaps: Graduates not being able to fill available roles due to a lack of essential skills. • Compliance vs. Performance: Meeting quotas doesn't always result in hiring the best qualified candidates. • Misuse of SME Benefits: Larger companies registering as shell SMEs for contract access. • Investor Uncertainty: New companies might have problems with employment demands before they become profitable. • Expat Displacement: Rapid Omanisation may exacerbate the shortage of specialists in certain fields. CONCLUSION Oman is undergoing a tremendous shift within its socio-economic framework. With a blend of policy structural adjustments, strategic planning, inter-agency collaboration, and targeted investment, the country is working towards achieving an independent and more equitable economy. Moving forward, a perpetual fine-tuning towards prioritisation and market forces will be necessary, however, everything is now set. While policy is yet to be converted into action, Oman has excellent opportunities to realise its benefits and safeguard the welfare of its citisens as the Vision 2040 promises.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store