INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Engaging with global institutions has helped Oman to achieve meaningful outcomes across various areas of the economy.
Given that Oman wants to become a logistics hub by 2040, what efforts can the WTO provide to ease this process?
Roberto Azevêdo The WTO offers a unique platform for Oman to put its trade issues and priorities on the table and work to push them forward. Indeed, the organization can play an important role in helping the country reduce its trade costs and boost its competitiveness, diversification, and participation in global trade in many ways. The WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement is significant. Oman is also part of the Information Technology Agreement, which eliminates tariffs on a range of IT products. In addition, Oman is working to join the Government Procurement Agreement. Besides its economic significance, Oman's participation in these deals shows the country's commitment to the multilateral trading system, as well as a robust vision for the country's future. I hope that Oman will continue to take full advantage of the forum the WTO provides.
To what do you attribute Oman's continuous improvement in the Doing Business Index, and how can the country continue improving its performance?
Nadir A. Mohammed Oman maintained its 66th ranking among 190 countries in the Doing Business 2017 report of the World Bank. It remains the third-best country to do business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region after the UAE and Bahrain. Oman jumped 127 spots on the Starting a Business component to become number one in MENA and number 33 globally, and improved four places on the Trading Across Borders component to become number 67. To improve or even maintain these rankings, Oman needs to further improve and continuously update policies, legislations, procedures, and practices governing the business environment. The Oman Private Sector Growth Assessment, prepared by the Supreme Council for Planning in 2016 with World Bank assistance, concluded that enhancing competitiveness and productivity will be a key challenge, particularly among smaller firms that require assistance to enhance the skills of their employees and take better advantage of available technology.
Given the need to diversify its economy, what measures should Oman take in order to secure more trade agreements?
RA Trade negotiations are never easy. They require parties to be open-minded, flexible, and creative—as well as ambitious and pragmatic—to find common ground and create win-win results. Oman has displayed many of these qualities during its WTO membership negotiations. The country joined the WTO in 2000 after a process that lasted four and a half years. In fact, the country's decision to enter the WTO sent a strong signal to the global community that Oman is committed to this framework of global trade rules that provides stability, predictability, and transparency—which are vital ingredients for doing business across borders. The country should seek to build on these qualities—and on its position in the WTO—to continue to negotiate new deals and benefit its citizens.
What is the current state of engagement between the World Bank and the Sultanate in regard to supporting public-private partnership (PPP) efforts, and cooperating to prepare Vision 2040?
NAM The ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) envisions a larger role for the private sector in economic development through a new privatization program, development of SMEs, strengthening PPPs, and bringing further improvements to the investment climate. About 52% of total investment will come from the private sector. Vision 2040 is also expected to focus on PPPs. International experience has shown the importance of having a clear legal framework to enable private participation in infrastructure and social service delivery. Such a legal framework provides also clarity on the role and responsibilities of key public institutions, as well as key processes that all PPP projects will follow. The World Bank is supporting efforts by the Policy Unit of the Sultan's Court to put in place such a legal framework, including a new PPP law and Executive Regulations to facilitate the efforts of all Omani entities in this regard and help achieve the objectives of the ninth development plan.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Oman-Iran Relations
Nothing Personal
A new automotive production venture and undersea gas pipeline project highlight the long-term and historic friendship between Oman and Iran, underscoring their policies of transparency and non-interference with the aim of achieving the best possible conditions for the economies and people of both countries.
read articleInterview
Abdullah Nasser Abdullah Al Bakri, Minister , Manpower (MoM)
TBY talks to Abdullah Nasser Abdullah Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower (MoM), on its ongoing efforts to boost Omanization across sectors, streamlining the employment process in the private sector, and developing human resources in the country.
read articleInterview
HE Talal Al Rahbi, Deputy Secretary General , Supreme Council for Planning (SCP)
TBY talks to HE Talal Al Rahbi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning (SCP), on its key responsibilities, ensuring a more sustainable policy, and the importance of economic diversification.
read articleInterview
Dr. Hilal Al-Qamshoey, Project Director, Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS)
TBY talks to Dr. Hilal Al-Qamshoey, Project Director of Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS), on the importance of addressing the challenges to growth, assessing potential, and attracting greater FDI.
read articleInterview
Khalid Al Yahmadi, CEO, Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS)
TBY talks to Khalid Al Yahmadi, CEO of Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS), on its projects to diversify Oman's economy, sectors with growth potential, and its goals for 2018.
read articleCommuniqué: Ithraa
Exports Matter
Exports matter because they represent the very sectors that drive wealth, attract investment and talent, boost productivity and innovation, and generate employment. Industry accounted for 47.6% of Oman's GDP in 2017 and our non-oil exports were over USD6.2 billion. Today, Omani firms export to 135 countries.
read articleInterview
Khalifa Abdullah Al-Barwani, CEO, National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI)
TBY talks to Khalifa Abdullah Al-Barwani, CEO of the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), on the many benefits of its information apps, the growing focus on logistics, and supporting the public and private sectors with valuable data.
read articleInterview
Dr. Dhafir Awadh Al-Shanfari, CEO, Oman Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD)
TBY talks to Dr. Dhafir Awadh Al-Shanfari, CEO of Oman Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD), on the goals of the authority, its current projects, and its focus for the medium term.
read articleInterview
Khalid bin Al Safi Al Haribi, Acting CEO, Public Authority for SMEs Development (Riyada)
TBY talks to Khalid bin Al Safi Al Haribi, Acting CEO of the Public Authority for SMEs Development (Riyada), on instilling an entrepreneurship culture amongst Omanis, key areas for development, and doing more with less.
read articleInterview
Yaqoob Saif Al Kiyumi, CEO, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP)
TBY talks to Yaqoob Saif Al Kiyumi, CEO of Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), on the challenges of growing water and electricity demand, planning for renewable energy projects, and its key objectives in the long term.
read articleInterview
HE Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
TBY talks to HE Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), on revising the country's FDI laws, financing the fiscal debt via issuing bonds, and its efforts to promote SMEs.
read articleInterview
HE Abdullah Salim Al Salmi, Executive President, Capital Market Authority (CMA)
TBY talks to HE Abdullah Salim Al Salmi, Executive President of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), on promoting greater activity in the financial services sector, encouraging investors to go beyond the banking sector, and its upcoming projects.
read articleInterview
Dr. Ashraf bin Nabhan Al Nabhani, Chairman, Muscat Securities Market (MSM)
TBY talks to Dr. Ashraf bin Nabhan Al Nabhani, Chairman of Muscat Securities Market (MSM), on the evolution and maturity of the stock market, increased privatization initiatives, and plans to demutualize.
read articleInterview
Murtaza Jariwala, Executive Director, Vanguard Engineering & Oilfield Service
TBY talks to Murtaza Jariwala, Executive Director of Vanguard Engineering & Oilfield Services, on manufacturing and value addition, successful long-term partnerships, and how to best thrive as a truly local company.
read articleInterview
Hilal Mohammed Hamoud Al Busaidi, CEO, Public Authority for Mining (PAM)
TBY talks to Hilal Mohammed Hamoud Al Busaidi, CEO of the Public Authority for Mining (PAM), on increasing metal exploration, sharing the risk with investors, and banking on the rare commodity of quality.
read articleInterview
Dr. Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO, Information Technology Authority (ITA)
TBY talks to Dr. Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of Information Technology Authority (ITA), on facilitating the investment experience in Oman, taking a coordinated approach to cybersecurity, and giving young people the right exposure.
read articleInterview
Firas A. H. Al-Abduwani, Founder & CEO, Hussam Technology Company (HTC)
TBY talks to Firas A. H. Al-Abduwani, Founder & CEO, and Mohammed Al-Abduwani, COO of Hussam Technology Company (HTC), on making Oman a better place to do business, meeting an ever-expanding customer base, and diversifying one's project capacity.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Aimen Ahmed Sultan Al-Hosni, CEO, Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC)
TBY talks to Sheikh Aimen Ahmed Sultan Al-Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC), on providing a functioning operational platform, top notch end-to-end logistics, and creating competitive advantages for Omani shippers.
read articleFocus: Integrated Tourism Complexes
A Land for All
Oman's integrated tourism complexes (ITCs) allow foreign nationals to own property on a freehold basis. They have given the country's tourism and real estate sectors an innovative boost and might pave the way for further liberalization.
read articleInterview
HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary, Fisheries Wealth of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth
TBY talks to HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth, on food security, opportunities for development in the industry, and new infrastructure projects.
read articleInterview
Eng. Saleh M. Al Shanfari, CEO, Oman Food Investment Holding Company (OFIC)
TBY talks to Eng. Saleh M. Al Shanfari, CEO of Oman Food Investment Holding Company (OFIC), on Oman's competitive advantages in food, growing demand for diverse food products, and becoming a regional food hub.
read articleInterview
Ahmed Akaak, Chairman, Oman National Livestock Development Company (ONLDC)
TBY talks to Ahmed Akaak, Chairman of the Oman National Livestock Development Company (ONLDC), on partnerships to boost the quality of animal feeds, the agriculture industry, and the Sultanate's national economy.
read articleReview: Education
New School
Oman's education sector has made massive strides in recent years, and moving forward, government officials see improving teacher quality and increasing international exchange as keys to giving a young and growing population the tools they need for the future.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Hamood Khalfan Al Harthi, Undersecretary of Education & Curriculum , Ministry of Education
TBY talks to HE Dr. Hamood Khalfan Al Harthi, Undersecretary of Education & Curriculum of the Ministry of Education, on meeting international standards, increasing the teaching staff, and implementing reforms.
read article