The 18th of November marks the National Day Anniversary in Oman. The event comes around at a time when Omanis ponder about the achievements made so far and brace for further accomplishments, with firm resolve, under the astute leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik who pledged to hold high the banner of Renewed Renaissance, since he assumed power in the country on 11 January 2020.
The Basic Law: Oman Democracy
The Sultanate of Oman stands out for its exclusive practice of Shura-based democracy with its bicameral chambers: State Council and Shura Council. The Basic Law safeguards the country’s territorial unity and social texture. Protects its cultural foundations and consolidates public rights, liberties and duties. It lays down a stable mechanism of transfer of rule, and affirms independence of the judiciary.
Women empowerment and Education
Omani women’s affairs take centre stage in the Renewed Renaissance. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, last March, Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, commended the great efforts exerted by women in Oman and the rest of the world.
Nations attain their prime only through education, and this has been a principle espoused by Omanis since the outset of their blessed renaissance 50 years ago. A motivating environment has been furnished for supporting the march of research and innovation.
Environment and Economy
Under its Renewed Renaissance, Oman continued to accord attention to environment protection, both at the local and global levels. The decline and fluctuation in oil prices and precautionary measures to address the impacts of Covid-19 affected the economies of many countries of the world. Oman took measures to address the situation, including the initiation of a medium-term Fiscal Balance Plan (2020-2023).
The 10th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the first leg in the executive plan of Oman Vision 2040 seeks to achieve a number of goals, among them “activating the economy, upgrading the efficiency of management of public finance, realizing balance among measures for rationalization of public spending, disciplined financial expansion policies. The plan targets average annual growth of 3.2% in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through emphasis on promising economic sectors like converting industries of high technological content, agriculture, fisheries, fish farming, food and agriculture industrialization, transport, warehousing and logistics.
Investment
The government created an investment-encouraging environment through legislations, ports, free zones and logistics, coupled with a unique strategic location in the meeting point of global commercial markets, political stability and security. Investment incentives like tax exemptions extending to more than 30 years and foreigners’ 100% ownership of properties, among other incentives, add another fillip to the Oman’s position.
Foreign Policy
The Sultanate’s foreign policy stands on firm grounds. Oman advocates principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, positive contribution to safeguarding international security, promoting common public interest through dialogue and understanding among countries and nations. Oman’s persistent strive to serve global peace stem from its support for many initiatives and issues, like its supported the settlement of the Yemeni issue through comprehensive political settlement and peaceful handling of the Iranian nuclear file.
Corona Pandemic
To fight the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Sultanate formed a Supreme Committee which has been taking precautionary measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents. Indicators registered great decline in mortality, infection and hospitalization rates, while recovery from the disease reached 98.5%.
