Saturday 16 / November / 2024
Muscat: On this day, the Sultanate celebrates the 46th anniversary of the Blessed Renaissance Day under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said who transformed Oman, as planned by His Majesty, into an oasis for peace, security, welfare and dignified life.
On this day, Omanis remember the Renaissance Day, which marks the beginning of a new era in Omani history. They also take this opportunity to express recognition and gratitude and renew their pledge of loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan.
As instructed by His Majesty, the Omani Government accords great importance to social development, with special focus on generating jobs and training opportunities, diversifying sources of income, encouraging investments in productive projects and promoting the role played by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the growth of the national economy.
Justice and balanced development have been two of the key characteristics of Oman’s development march. The Omani citizen has benefited largely from the development of health, education, road, electricity, water and communication services.
His Majesty has been keen on providing Omanis with the opportunity to play a role in the development process and enjoy the fruits of this process. In his speech, His Majesty reaffirmed that the historical achievements and accomplishments in all fields have one main noble objective: the building of a modern, faithful Omani, who preserves the deep-rooted traditions and customs of the Sultanate while making full use of the benefits of the modern civilisation to build a modernised nation.
Since the dawn of the Blessed Renaissance, His Majesty the Sultan has laid the pillars of national unity, which serves as a springboard for development efforts in all fields.
His Majesty the Sultan has promoted the values of justice and the rule of law. Over the past years, His Majesty has held a firm belief in the ability of the Omani citizen to play a role in building his present and shaping his future. His Majesty has said, "If things are to be judged by results, we can say that what has been achieved, with the help of God, is a great achievement. History will testify that you, the sons of Oman, have patiently faced challenges, and overcome all problems. God has blessed your progress and has granted you your success."
Since 1976, the Sultanate has implemented a number of five-year successive development plans that ensure a balance between modernity and authenticity. During those years, the Sultanate utilised the oil revenues in building high quality infrastructure projects, which serve as a base for economic diversification. It has also made impressive leaps in health, education and social services.
At the beginning of 2016, His Majesty the Sultan approved the 9th Five-Year Plan (2016 to 2020), which serves as the last cycle of Oman Vision 2020 and paves the way for Oman Vision 2040.
The current five-year plan attaches great importance to the optimum utilisation of resources and investment opportunities in various governorates in the Sultanate. It also focuses on the development of governorates to achieve balanced growth and development in different parts of the Sultanate. The plan relies on policies that activate the role played by the private sector in the economic growth.
As part of His Majesty's interest in promoting partnership and having multiple views, the Council of Ministers has held many independent meetings with the State Council Office and Majlis Al Shura Office to enhance cooperation between the Council of Ministers and the Council of Oman.
On the other hand, the second municipal councils' elections for the term (2017 to 2020) will be held at the end of 2016. The Ministry of Interior had opened the registration for these elections with effect from June 12.
The Sultanate is also going ahead with its plan to diversify sources of income, reduce reliance on oil revenues and alleviate the negative effects of the oil price dip in the world market. While the Sultanate endeavours to become a regional and world logistic hub, it also seeks to enhance its relations with different countries of the world, based on mutual respect, non-interference in others' affairs and respect for good neighbouring relations.
The Sultanate also cooperates with regional and international efforts made to promote peace and security in the region, such as its cooperation with Yemen, Syria and Libya.
In recognition of the Sultanate's role in promoting international peace and security and the diplomatic efforts made to address different Middle East issues in a peaceful manner, Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for Foreign Affairs received last January the Saint George Award for Peace at a special ceremony held in Dresden in Germany.
While presiding over the Council of Ministers' meeting last April, His Majesty the Sultan had expressed satisfaction with the achievements so far. His Majesty stressed the importance of preserving the achievements, continuing to build national capacities, making optimum use of the Sultanate's strategic location, encouraging local and foreign investments and creating more job opportunities for Omanis.
While Oman, its land and people, renew their pledge to the Monarch of the country; the Leader of the Blessed Renaissance to continue to be guided by His Majesty's royal and wise directives and vow to work hard to ensure more glory, it also appeals to Allah the Almighty to grant His Majesty the Sultan good health, well-being, happiness and a long life.
