logo
Oman-China strategic partnership a model in the region

Oman-China strategic partnership a model in the region

Observer5 days ago
The Oman-China strategic partnership has yielded fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation in all areas and the two sides have been strengthening each other in a broader spectrum of areas, according to Brigadier Wu Xinyan, the Chinese Defence Attaché.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 98th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, he said that the strategic relationship has stretched over various sectors covering oil and gas as well.
'The long-lasting strategic relations have been stretched over economic investments in oil, electricity, minerals and renewable energy which serve the common interests of both sides and realise the common development goals of the two countries,' he said.
The bilateral military relations are an important part of the strategic relationship between the two countries and the two sides have been strengthening military friendly cooperation in various fields, and have made comprehensive progress in military training, high-level mutual visits, exchange of experience, and joint exercises and training in the recent past.
'We also look forward to the deepening of cooperation between the two sides in the military and security fields, which will benefit both countries and contribute to regional peace and stability,' he added.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army has played a crucial role in China's national unification and has safeguarded its peace and stability for nearly 100 years. This occasion holds historical significance and reflects the deep traditional and friendly relations between Oman and China.
'While we celebrate and commemorate the glorious journey of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, we also take this occasion to emphasise China's long-standing friendship with Oman, which has spanned over a thousand years and has been strengthened and deepened in recent years, marked by remarkable achievements.'
'We firmly believe that the continuous expansion of cooperation in various fields and the opening up of broader prospects for cooperation between the two sides will achieve our respective and common goals,' he added.
Firas al Abduwani, Director-General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Saleh al Anboori, Director-General of Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and Mohammed al Najjar, Director-General of the General Directorate of Training, Ministry of Labour, were also present at the event.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US becomes largest buyer of Taiwan-made machinery in 2024, surpassing China for first time
US becomes largest buyer of Taiwan-made machinery in 2024, surpassing China for first time

Times of Oman

time2 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

US becomes largest buyer of Taiwan-made machinery in 2024, surpassing China for first time

Taipei: The United States has, for the first time, overtaken China and Hong Kong in 2024 to become the largest buyer of Taiwan-made machinery, signalling a notable shift in regional trade patterns influenced by geopolitical tensions, industrial strategies, and shifting supply chains, Focus Taiwan reported. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Finance (MOF), outbound sales of Taiwan's machinery to the US reached USD 5.8 billion in 2024, an increase of 6.1 per cent compared to 2023. This figure represents 24.2 per cent of Taiwan's total machinery exports. In contrast, exports to China and Hong Kong slipped by 1.5 per cent year-on-year to USD 5.7 billion, accounting for 23.7 per cent of the total, Focus Taiwan noted. Between 2019 and 2024, Taiwan's machinery exports to the US surged 24.5 per cent, while shipments to China and Hong Kong declined 16.8 per cent, according to the MOF report. In 2019, China and Hong Kong together made up 29.3 per cent of Taiwan's machinery exports, while the US held a 19.9 per cent share. The reversal reflects deeper changes in global industrial supply chains. Focus Taiwan reported that Taiwan's declining machinery sales to China are partly due to Beijing's deliberate investment in domestic machinery manufacturing to reduce dependence on foreign equipment. Simultaneously, growing trade friction between the US and China, along with the push for localised production under the "Made in the USA" policy, has made the American market increasingly attractive to Taiwanese firms in recent years. Despite the gains in the US, total machinery exports from Taiwan fell to a three-year low of USD 24.1 billion in 2024, down 0.4 per cent from 2023 and 15.5 per cent from the 2022 record high of USD 28.6 billion, Focus Taiwan said. Machinery remained Taiwan's fourth-largest export category in 2024, but its share of total exports declined to a historic low of 5.1 per cent, from 5.6 per cent the year before. Although exports rebounded 4.3 per cent in early 2025, MOF warned that global uncertainty and US-China tensions could disrupt future growth, Focus Taiwan reported.

First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman
First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman

Times of Oman

time15 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman

Muscat: The first company specializing in health insurance claims management 'Green Line Health Insurance Claims Management Company' was established on Sunday. It is the first Omani company licensed for this activity, supported by a national vision consistent with the directives of Oman Vision 2040, aiming to provide services with global standards using the latest technologies, and to enhance and empower national competencies to undertake a key role in this new field. The move comes amid accelerating growth in the health insurance sector and the increasing need for smart solutions to enhance the efficiency of medical services. Faisal Hamad Al Rashdi, Co-founder and CEO of Green Line Insurance Services, stated that, due to his long experience in the health insurance sector, he observed the operational challenges facing this sector, whether at the level of insurance companies, healthcare providers, or even policyholders. Given a clear gap in claims management, Al Rashdi decided to establish this company, especially with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) announcing the opening for applications to practice health insurance claims management as an independent and regulated activity. This presented a national opportunity to establish a specialized local company that contributes to building this vital sector. He explained that the market lacked a specialised company in health insurance claims management, with a greater reliance on foreign companies managing operations from outside Oman. This affected the speed and quality of services, in addition to the possibility of health data – which is highly sensitive – being leaked through external systems. The Financial Services Authority had taken the initiative to issue clear legislation to ensure the protection of this data within Oman. He noted that the company represents a reliable source managed by national competencies, meeting market needs through its proximity to clients, which directly reflects on work quality and the speed of transaction completion. Regarding the market's reception of this project, Faisal Al Rashdi affirmed that it is natural for any sector to face some challenges when entering a phase of change, especially when there are long-standing working relationships between the market and external parties that have managed this activity for decades. However, he stressed the necessity of redoubling efforts to build trust and confirm readiness to provide high-standard services that meet the needs and aspirations of target groups, in addition to full compliance with national regulations. As for the project's nature, he mentioned that the company offers a comprehensive package of services in health insurance claims management that meets international standards. These include accurate and prompt medical claims management, medical and administrative verification using smart systems to detect duplication and errors, as a step towards time management. It also covers medical network management, from contracting with hospitals and clinics to ensuring the quality of service provided to policyholders, in addition to data analysis and smart reporting that helps insurance companies make decisions based on accurate data. He emphasised that the company relies heavily on digital solutions and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, for faster data analysis and the automation of routine operations using robotic process automation (RPA), which reduces manual errors and saves time and effort. Furthermore, it is fully integrated with the national platform developed by the Financial Services Authority ("Dhamani" platform), which has been approved for fully electronic operations. He clarified that the company handles data confidentially, storing client data on company-owned servers only, without relying on external servers, to ensure complete control over information security. It applies best cybersecurity standards, such as advanced data encryption during transmission and storage, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. Additionally, access permissions are granted on a limited and well-considered basis according to the employees' job roles, along with adherence to all local and international laws and regulations related to data protection and periodic reviews to ensure continuous compliance.

Dhofar Khareef season sparks commercial boom across markets and tourist hubs
Dhofar Khareef season sparks commercial boom across markets and tourist hubs

Times of Oman

time16 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Dhofar Khareef season sparks commercial boom across markets and tourist hubs

Muscat: Dhofar Governorate is witnessing a surge in commercial activity across markets and shopping centres during the 2025 Khareef Season, fuelled by a significant influx of visitors drawn to the region's exceptional climate and scenic beauty. This momentum is bolstering the tourism and retail sectors while providing a tangible boost to the national economy. From traditional souqs to modern malls, commercial activities are thriving. Shops offering handicrafts and local delicacies are seeing strong demand, alongside increased footfall at restaurants, cafés, hotels, and various entertainment and tourism facilities. Several small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners told the Oman News Agency that the Khareef Season offers a crucial window for growing sales and expanding operations. They also highlighted the importance of promoting and supporting locally made products to meet visitors' expectations. Nour bint Ali Al Yafei, owner of Bint Al Janoub, shared that her home-based business in incense and perfumery – with over 30 years of experience – has evolved to include women's clothing and high-quality Dhofari products made from natural ingredients. 'We opened our first branch in Salalah in 2020, and a second in the Al Hafa area in 2024 to meet growing demand, especially during the Khareef tourist season, when gifts are in high demand,' she said. Rami bin Muslim Al Kathiri, founder of Dou Chocolate and Flowers, said that his business experiences high footfall during the season due to its diverse offerings – including premium chocolates, fresh flowers, and seasonal gifts. He described the venture as a successful SME model that adapts to tourist seasons and strengthens local commerce. Aqeel bin Alawi Al Marzaa, founder of Makkah Perfumes, explained that his enterprise started with a vision of quality and heritage, drawing on Omani frankincense. Today, it operates over 15 branches across the Sultanate. 'We own a specialised factory for extracting and exporting frankincense oil. Alongside integrated perfume production lines catering to Gulf preferences, we have developed over 150 perfume products,' he noted. He added that tourists show strong interest in locally crafted perfumes for their durability, quality, and authentic aromas. On the culinary front, Tariq bin Salem Al Hosni, owner of Al Hosni Omani Sweets, said his decades-old brand has expanded to over 10 branches within Oman and several more across the GCC. He observed that tourists are eager to try and learn how to prepare traditional Omani sweets. 'Our sweets reflect true Omani hospitality and are increasingly sought-after during tourist seasons,' he said. The business was recognised by the Guinness World Records for producing the largest cake shaped like the Sultanate's map on Oman's 45th National Day. Many tourists and visitors now consider the Dhofar Khareef season a favourite destination and a key commercial hub. Hilal bin Khalaf Al Sharaqi underlined the role of emerging businesses in reviving the local market by offering products and services that align with the governorate's identity and enhance the tourist experience. He called for greater institutional support to ensure these ventures thrive. Abdullah bin Salem Al Ghaithi praised Hafa Beach Market for its seamless blend of tradition and modernity. 'Perfumes, incense, sweets, and handicrafts fill the area with a wonderful ambience. Light rain makes the shopping experience truly unique,' he said. Majid bin Abdullah Al Shariqi noted the strong demand during Khareef for seasonal clothing, tropical fruits like coconut, papaya, pomegranate, banana, and mango, as well as camping and travel gear. He described the season as a transformative period for the local economy. Abdullah bin Amer Al Eisaei, a tourist from the UAE, highlighted the quality of local products and the well-organised markets in Salalah – especially Al Hafa Beach Market – as key attractions. He praised the transparency in pricing and the presence of regulatory oversight, adding that Dhofar's moderate climate remains its most outstanding feature during this time of year.

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