
MSX Index closes higher at 4,305 Points
The trading value stood at OMR3,462,451 comprising a drop by 29.9%, compared to the last session, which stood at OMR4,937,418.
The report released by MSX pointed out that the market capitalisation stood at OMR27.17 billion.
The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (OMR189,000, comprising 5.47%. The value of shares sold by non-Omani investors reached OMR320,000), comprising 9.25%. The net non-Omani investment decreased by 3.79% to OMR131,000.

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Observer
13 hours ago
- Observer
RO 1.1m Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park to open in Al Dakhiliyah
AL JABAL AL AKHDHAR: The Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate continues to solidify its status as a premier tourist destination through the implementation of high-quality tourism and recreational projects. Foremost among these is the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park under construction in Seeh Qatnah, alongside the recently inaugurated Celebration Square, which hosted the opening events of the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Festival 2025. Shaikh Sultan bin Mansour al Ghafili, Wali of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, stated that the wilayat is witnessing tangible developmental progress, reflecting an integrated vision to enhance infrastructure and improve quality of life. He emphasised that these projects align with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, transforming the wilayat's natural and cultural advantages into sustainable development opportunities with direct social and economic impact. In a statement to ONA, he noted that the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Park project is progressing rapidly, with completion exceeding 85 per cent. The park is set to officially open to visitors in August 2025 at a cost exceeding RO 1.1 million. Spanning 20,000 square metres, the park features integrated recreational and service facilities, including a 1,000-square-metre children's play area, sports pathways and investment zones housing a café, a shop, and an electric games section, in addition to prayer rooms and restrooms for men and women. The park also includes a multipurpose open-air theatre and 5,000 square metres of green spaces planted with 150 trees and 400 shrubs, alongside natural vegetation to enhance the site's aesthetics, making it a year-round recreational destination. He affirmed that these projects bolster the wilayat's tourism appeal, provide community platforms for national events, support small and medium enterprises, and stimulate local growth by generating jobs and boosting commercial activity. He added that Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, in coordination with the Al Dakhiliyah Governor's Office, ensures these initiatives serve as pillars for comprehensive, sustainable development that fosters innovation and strengthens Omani identity. Future plans include additional initiatives to attract qualitative investments in eco-tourism, smart agriculture and community services, emphasising collaboration between government entities, the private sector and local communities to ensure holistic and sustainable impact, he added. The park features integrated recreational and service facilities, including a children's play area, sports pathways and investment zones. On his turn, Eng Mohammed bin Ali al Wardi, Director of the Projects Department at Al Dakhiliyah Municipality, highlighted that the park project extends the governorate's vision for developing public spaces and improving urban environments. He noted that the newly inaugurated Celebration Square in Seeh Qatnah is a key cultural and tourism infrastructure project, designed as a multipurpose venue harmonising with Al Jabal Al Akhdhar's geography. The square features a main performance area, parking, restrooms and family rest zones, making it an ideal venue for seasonal and national events. It has become a focal point for visitors to the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Festival 2025, hosting cultural, artistic and recreational activities, as well as exhibitions of local crafts and agricultural products, thereby supporting entrepreneurship and local economic growth. Al Wardi affirmed that these projects align with a broader vision to develop Al Jabal Al Akhdhar as a sustainable tourism hub, balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation to reinforce the governorate's position on Oman's tourism and investment map. — ONA


Muscat Daily
14 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
New park, Celebration Square boost Jabal Akhdar's tourism appeal
Jabal Akhdar – Jabal Akhdar is advancing its position as a key tourism destination in Dakhliyah through new infrastructure projects, including a public park in Saih Qatna and the newly opened Celebration Square which is currently hosting Jabal Akhdar Festival 2025. Sheikh Sultan bin Mansour al Ghafili, Wali of Jabal Akhdar, said the wilayat is seeing steady development that reflects an integrated vision aimed at improving quality of life and tourism infrastructure. 'These projects represent a translation of the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to convert the wilayat's natural and cultural assets into sustainable development opportunities,' he said. Construction of Jabal Akhdar Park is progressing, with completion reported at over 85%. With total investment exceeding RO1.1mn, the park is expected to open in August. Covering 20,000sqm, the site includes recreational and service facilities such as a 1,000sqm children's play area, walking and sports tracks, a multi-use open-air theatre, and 5,000sqm of green landscaping with 150 trees and 400 shrubs. The project also features investment zones that include a café, a shop and space for electric games, besides prayer rooms and restrooms for men and women. 'These projects will enhance the tourism offering, provide platforms for national events, and help support local businesses and job creation,' said Ghafili. He added that the projects reflect a commitment to sustainability, innovation and promotion of Omani identity. The wali informed that additional development phases are planned, focusing on attracting investment in ecotourism, smart agriculture and community services. He noted the importance of coordination between government agencies, the private sector and local communities to ensure long-term development impact. Mohammed bin Ali al Wardi, Director of Projects Department at Dakhliyah Municipality, said the park is part of the governorate's broader plan to enhance urban spaces and promote tourism. He said Celebration Square in Saih Qatna, which was officially inaugurated this month, is among the most significant cultural and tourism infrastructure projects in the governorate. The square includes a central performance arena, parking, restrooms and family seating areas, designed to align with the natural topography of the mountainous setting. Running till August 30, Jabal Akhdar Festival 2025 features cultural and artistic performances, exhibitions of local crafts, and stalls of agricultural produce. 'These initiatives support entrepreneurship and contribute to the local economy,' said Wardi, adding that the developments aim to position Jabal Akhdar as a sustainable tourism destination with focus on infrastructure and an integrated visitor experience.


Observer
14 hours ago
- Observer
Procurement and facilities management: Strategic tools for institutional efficiency
MUSCAT: Efficient procurement and facilities management are no longer auxiliary functions within institutions — they have become pivotal enablers of operational sustainability, cost optimisation, and service excellence. This message was at the heart of a recent conversation with Rashid al Masrouri, a prominent Omani expert in the field, whose professional insights shed light on the evolving role of institutional infrastructure management in Oman's public and private sectors. Al Masrouri, who has led transformative initiatives in facilities and procurement operations, argues that a new mindset is urgently needed: 'Facilities management is the invisible hand that keeps institutions functioning. Procurement, meanwhile, is the economic artery that ensures continuity and value.' According to him, when both functions are aligned and managed strategically, institutions unlock real, measurable performance gains. He pointed out that despite growing awareness, key challenges persist. Among them: outdated perceptions of the role of support services, fragmented processes between operations and procurement units, a lag in digital integration, and a shortage of professionally trained local talent. 'Too often, these departments are seen as administrative overheads,' he noted, 'when in fact they are central to long-term institutional sustainability.' Al Masrouri emphasised that Oman is equipped with the infrastructure and ambition to modernise these domains — but success depends on shifting organisational cultures. 'Digital tools like CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) and ERP systems are only effective when embedded within a forward-looking governance model that empowers decision-makers on the ground.' On the procurement front, he outlined three essential priorities for modernisation: • Full automation of workflows to ensure transparency and reduce delays, • Clear policies for fair competition and value-for-money contracting, • A national supplier database that tracks performance and supports strategic sourcing. He also stressed the need for performance-based contracts and cost–benefit analyses to become standard practices in both public and private entities. 'The system should reward results, not just compliance,' he added. As for Omani talent, Al Masrouri is confident in the capabilities of the next generation but called for more applied training, international certification pathways (such as CIPS and IFMA), and clear professional tracks for career progression. 'This is a sector where hands-on problem-solving is just as important as academic qualifications.' He concluded with a call to action: 'Leaders in both government and private institutions must revisit how they perceive these functions. Investing in procurement and facilities management is not an expense — it is an investment in operational resilience, public value, and national development.' As Oman advances its Vision 2040 priorities, institutional effectiveness and sustainability will remain high on the national agenda. And as experts like Al Masrouri remind us, strategic efficiency often begins with the functions we least see — but most depend on.