logo
His Majesty the Sultan holds phone call with Iranian President

His Majesty the Sultan holds phone call with Iranian President

Times of Oman16-06-2025
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik made a phone call today with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
During the telephonic conversation, His Majesty the Sultan extended condolences and sympathies to the Iranian President for the victims of the Israeli attacks on his country, condemning the damage inflicted on infrastructure and facilities, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
His Majesty the Sultan emphasized the importance of de-escalation from both sides and a return to negotiations, dialogue, and understanding to halt the specter of ongoing conflict and its catastrophic repercussions, safeguarding lives and resources.
His Majesty the Sultan further reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to actively contribute through all political and diplomatic means to resolving this crisis, preventing its escalation, and establishing fair and just settlements that restore normalcy.
For his part, the Iranian President expressed appreciation for the earnest efforts undertaken by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan to bridge perspectives and resolve conflicts through peaceful means, reinforcing the pillars of security and peace, and fostering stability and prosperity for all nations.
He affirmed that while his country faces heinous Israeli aggression, it backs diplomatic solutions through dialogue and negotiation, adheres to international law and respect for state sovereignty, and calls on the international community to stand with justice and the right of nations to self-defense.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oman guarantees expatriate workers right to retain passports
Oman guarantees expatriate workers right to retain passports

Times of Oman

time6 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Oman guarantees expatriate workers right to retain passports

A critical protection for workers in Oman is explicitly outlined in Labour Law. Passport retention by employers is a well-documented practice that can severely restrict a worker's freedom of movement, their ability to leave an unsatisfactory or abusive employment situation, seek alternative work legally, or even depart the country upon contract completion. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that Article 6 of the labour law unequivocally states: 'It is not permitted for the employer to keep the passport of the worker or his personal documents except with the written consent of the worker.' This provision serves as a fundamental safeguard against exploitation and potential forced labour scenarios. By making such retention illegal without explicit, documented consent, the law empowers workers to retain control over their crucial identification and travel documents. The written consent requirement is legally critical. It precludes undue pressure or verbal authorisations. Critically, employers cannot disregard this prohibition through verbal arrangements, coercive practices, or employment contract clauses that contravene Article 6,' stated Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm. Another spokesperson from the law firm added that violating Article 6 carries serious consequences under Article 147 of the Labour Law. Employers who illegally retain passports face fines of OMR500 to OMR1,000 per affected worker, with penalties doubling for repeat violations. Therefore, Oman's Labour Law establishes a clear and strong stance: Employers holding worker passports is breaking the law and face substantial penalties. Workers possess the legal right to retain their passports, ensuring their mobility and protection against undue control. This empowers expatriate employees to freely exit unsatisfactory employment, pursue legal remedies, or depart Oman post-contract without obstruction, the expert said.

FDI in Oman's industrial sector grows by 27.5%
FDI in Oman's industrial sector grows by 27.5%

Times of Oman

time7 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

FDI in Oman's industrial sector grows by 27.5%

Muscat: The industrial sector in Oman witnessed significant growth in foreign direct investments during the first quarter of 2025, with a growth rate of 27.5 percent compared to the same period last year, bringing the total value to OMR 2.749 billion. The industrial sector topped the non-oil sectors in terms of targeted investment volume, with investments concentrated in promising sectors, most notably: renewable energy technology manufacturing, as part of the Sultanate of Oman's drive towards a green economy. The industrial sector in the Sultanate of Oman continues to grow as reflected in the effectiveness of government policies aimed at enhancing economic diversification and increasing its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), within the framework of Oman Vision 2040, which has placed industry among its priorities. The industrial sector witnessed positive and tangible developments in several activities during the first half of 2025. Expansion in productivity and increased regional and international demand contributed to the growth of a number of vital industrial sectors. Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, said that the positive results achieved by the industrial sector are a direct reflection of the integration of national policies and incentive plans aimed at building a flexible and competitive production base through the implementation of the programmes and initiatives of the Industrial Strategy 2040, enabling quality investments, improving the quality of services in industrial and economic cities, and facilitating procedures for investors. He added that the industrial sector is a driver of economic growth, a lever for innovation, a recruiter of national talent, a promoter of food and medicine security, and an expander of local value chains in the national economy. For his part, Eng. Khalid bin Salim Al Qassabi, Director General of Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, explained that industrial performance during the first half of this year clearly demonstrates the ability of Omani factories to achieve advanced growth rates and expand production and operations, despite regional and international challenges related to market and supply chain fluctuations. He stated that this positive performance was a direct result of the integrated efforts between the public and private sectors, benefiting from support and incentive packages, and reducing service costs. This was reflected in the increased rates of localising projects within industrial cities and free zones, and achieving advanced Omanisation rates in a number of industrial activities. He stressed that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion continues to support initiatives that enhance local added value and expand the national production base, in line with the objectives of the industrial strategy and "Oman Vision 2040" aimed at building a diversified and sustainable economy. For his part, Eng. Jassim bin Saif Al Jadidi, Technical Director of the Office of the Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, emphasised that the industrial sector enjoys investor confidence, thanks to the continuous improvement of the business environment, the stimulating legislative structure, and the promising opportunities it offers in a number of industrial sectors through the development of new incentive policies, including: providing industrial financing, developing logistics services, localising advanced technologies, and stimulating international partnerships. The minerals sector is witnessing an expansion in production and export chains. The manufacturing sector witnessed a significant improvement in its performance during the first half of this year, driven by strong growth in the petrochemical and electrical sectors. In the building materials and construction sector, the iron and aluminum industries continued to achieve positive results and steady growth, while cement companies began to show signs of improved performance and reduced losses. Tile and ceramic factories showed signs of recovery, while glass companies still face operational challenges that the Ministry is working to address as part of its plans to develop the manufacturing industries. In the food industries sector, milling, soft drinks, and refreshment companies led the recovery scene, achieving significant profits thanks to improved operational efficiency and an expanded consumer base locally and regionally. In terms of foreign trade, Omani non-oil exports grew by 7.2 percent during the period from January to May 2025, reaching OMR 2.7 billion, reflecting the strength of Omani products in foreign markets. The United Arab Emirates topped the list of countries importing Omani products, with OMR485 million, an increase of 22.9 percent, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with OMR451 million, an increase of 34.9 percent, and then the Republic of India with OMR280 million, an increase of 38.9 percent. These results reflect the diversity of the trading partner base, underscoring the importance of activating trade promotion tools and enhancing the industrial sector's readiness to enter new markets, particularly in Asia and Africa, which represent promising markets for Omani products.

US President receives credentials of Oman's Ambassador
US President receives credentials of Oman's Ambassador

Times of Oman

time8 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

US President receives credentials of Oman's Ambassador

Washington: US President Donald Trump received His Excellency Ambassador Talal bin Sulaiman Al Rahbi, who presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States of America, during an official ceremony held at the White House. During the meeting, His Excellency conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and His Majesty's wishes for good health and happiness to His Excellency, and for continued progress and prosperity to the government and people of the friendly United States of America.

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