INCENTIVES IN PRIVATE SECTOR
The private sector is to have majority stake in projects envisaged under Tourism Strategy 2040. The government requires RO 18.936 billion for implementing projects identified in the tourism strategy.
“Of this, 88 per cent is expected to be chipped in by the private sector,” Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism, said in an interview.
The ministry is keen to promote private partnership and encourage local investors to establish private companies. These will get priority in the implementation process, said the minister. Meanwhile, Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) projects hold the key to Oman’s drive in expanding its hotel accommodation facilities.
While Dhofar is seen increasing its share of hotel rooms from the present 12.6 per cent to 23.8 per cent, Muscat’s share is expected to witness a fall from 53 per cent to 30.8 per cent by 2040.
The government is aiming for a total of 33,373 hotel rooms, 29,287 holiday home rooms and 17,262 rooms in ITCs as part of its Tourism Strategy 2040.
While there are six ITC projects in the Sultanate, the Salalah Beach Project is set to be one of the largest spreading across 15.6 million square metres.
The strategy focuses mainly on Dhofar, Al Dhakhiliyah, Musandam, Ras Al Hadd and Muscat.
The Haj pilgrims’ quota is likely to be increased this year as Saudi Arabia has completed work on enhancing the capacity of Mecca’s Grand Mosque to receive more pilgrims in the forthcoming season.
“We expect the quota of pilgrims from the Sultanate to be increased this year as the expansion work at Mecca’s Grand Mosque is complete,” an official source at Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs told the Observer.
The source, however, said the ministry has so far not received any official statement from the Saudi authorities.
As the Majlis Ash’shura hosted the Minister of Manpower for the second consecutive day on Monday, members sought answers on a number of issues, including matters related to runaway workers and more incentives for Omanis to work in the private sector.
Suggestions were made to have a minimum ceiling on the number of expatriate workforce in the private sector as the country has a large young population ready for employment.
On a positive note, it was revealed that the number of Omanis in leadership positions has increased from 14.3 per cent in 2010 to 22.9 per cent by end of November 2016. It was decided the ministry would hold a career fair in February to help jobseekers find jobs of their choice.
In his reply, Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri, Minister of Manpower, said the regulation of the labour market is not the prerogative of the Ministry of Manpower alone, but also of the other authorities. BEIJING: Yahya bin Said al Jabri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm, on Monday signed an agreement with the China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to finance the second package of Duqm Port. The package is related to implementing the commercial terminal inside the port. The agreement was signed by Dr D J Pandian, AIIB Vice President and CEO for Investment.
As per the agreement, Duqm will receive $265 million loan, which will be repaid in installments up to 25 years including five-year grace period.