Saturday 18 / May / 2024
Muscat: The Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will benefit more than 62,000 Omani employees, youth and about 400 families affected by Batinah Coastal Road Project.
His Majesty the Sultan’s directives came during a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al Barakah Palace on Wednesday.
Welcoming the decisions, Dr. Mohammed Al Wardi, an academician and Economic Analyst, said:“His Majesty the Sultan praised the economic achievements over the past years, the most important of which is the rise in the gross domestic product (GDP, which grew by 2 percent in the first half of 2023 at constant prices, reaching about OMR17 billion. Oman’s GDP at current prices increased by 30 percent at the end of December 2022 to reach OMR44.08 billion.”
“His Majesty also praised the Sultanate’s ability to strengthen a number of financial and economic indicators, as Oman was able to reduce its debt valued at OMR20.8 billion in the beginning of 2022, which constituted 67 percent of the GDP.
“The debt was reduced over the past two years until it reached OMR16.3 billion in mid-2023 constituting approximately 37% of the GDP, slowly approaching the limit set by the Ministry of Finance which aims to bring it down to 30% debt value of the gross domestic product. This achievement has led to the raising of the Sultanate’s credit rating,” Al Wardi added.
He added: “His Majesty recommended that the surplus should be exploited to enhance the social and economic condition of citizens. His Majesty directed to promote about 62,000 employees in the civil service sector, which will have a positive impact in raising the people’s standard of living and stimulating the economy by raising the purchasing power of citizens.”
With regards to the HM directive on initiating procedures for establishing an integrated sports city project for attracting tournaments at the regional and international level, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth expressed its gratitude to His Majesty for the generous directives.
Thanking His Majesty, the ministry added: “This comes within the framework of HM’s interest in the sports sector and his constant support for developing all aspects related to it. The Ministry confirmed that, in implementation of His Majesty’s directives, the ministry will work with international experts to create an integrated sports edifice characterised by the latest international specifications in the field of sports.”
Basil bin Ahmed Al-Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth said: “HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth , stressed the necessity for contracting the best international design experts to build this city according to the international standards. It will help attract major tournaments. Sports is important in life because it improves the general health of society, and also plays a vital role in economic activities.”
His Majesty also directed to allocate OMR6.5 million to rehabilitate and establish 11 camel racing tracks in various governorates.
Based on His Majesty’s constant interest and continuous support for the authentic sporting heritage represented by camel racing, and its historic roots in Omani society, the Ministry will coordinate with the governors’ offices and the Omani Camel Racing Federation to put the directives of His Majesty into practice by constructing a number of main squares in the governorates.
His Majesty also gave his supreme directive for promoting Omani employees working in the units of the state administrative apparatus, amounting to more than 62,000 employees.
Appreciating the Royal Directives of His Majesty the Sultan, the Ministry of Labour, said: “These generous directives express His Majesty’s appreciation for the contribution made by employees, and their role in advancing government work. This is also an incentive to perform the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them.”
Regarding promotions, the ministry said: “We adopt the best management practices in motivating employees, developing their performance, and raising the level of productivity. The upcoming promotions will be as per the performance of employees and institutional proficiency, ‘Ejada’.
The Ministry extended its gratitude to His Majesty for this generous gesture. It also extended its warmest congratulations to the employees who will be promoted, and called on all employees to make their utmost efforts to serve this dear country.
Regards His Majesty’s approval of OMR52 million cash compensation for the property owners affected by the Batinah Coastal Road Project,the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning confirmed that the ministry has coordinated with the relevant authorities to complete the project with an amount of OMR52 million to achieve sustainable urban development for communities.
The cash compensation disbursed to citizens whose properties were affected by the Al Batinah Coastal Road Project in the North Al Batinah Governorate has reached 90.4 percent.
Younis Al Manthari, member of Shura Council in ninth period said: “In His Majesty the Sultan’s recent meeting with Council of Ministers, His Majesty stressed the importance of citizens’ serious participation in Shura elections and choosing qualified people to represent them in the Council.
“In the ninth session of the Council we saw the extent of His Majesty interest in modernising the system of laws in the Sultanate. Therefore, the strength of the Council and its effectiveness in carrying out its legislative, oversight and accountability roles depend on the strength and competence of those nominated by citizens. The interest of the nation must be above any other considerations.”
