PROGRESS 2018-19 HITS THE STANDS
United Media Services (UMS) has published the 24th edition of its annual bilingual publication, Progress 20182019 saluting His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of Oman’s Blessed Renaissance.
Progress 2018 focuses on the improving economic sentiments in the Sultanate buoyed by rising oil prices, growth of non-oil revenues and the continued government investment on infrastructure projects. The annual publication also highlights the various development initiatives that are providing strong tailwinds to Oman’s economy such as the opening of the new Muscat International Airport providing an impetus to the Sultanate’s tourism prospects. This year’s Progress also discusses the goals of Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy, the ongoing efforts on diversification, privatisation of state-owned entities to broad-base the economy, the renewed impetus on public-private partnerships, SME development, job creation for Omanis and plans for enhancing the tax base using VAT and a cut in subsidies.
Progress also presents a first-hand account of Oman’s development from ministers and dignitaries and takes an in-depth look at the various sectors that have contributed to the Sultanate’s development and modernisation, such as oil and gas, banking, NBFCs and insurance, capital markets, education, healthcare, agriculture, retailing, aviation, telecom, information and communication technology, real estate, manufacturing, power, infrastructure, tourism etc. Each of these sectors is covered in dedicated chapters highlighting the strides taken by the Sultanate in these areas.
Other articles focus on the latest developments, key financial indicators and the future roadmap. The articles delve into how the Sultanate, guided by the vision and determination of
His Majesty, has achieved remarkable progress and development in various fields and established a strong economy by harnessing its natural resources and encouraging private enterprise. Its march towards modernity has been balanced with a preservation of its centuries old rich heritage and culture. The country has assumed a position of eminence both at the regional and international levels.
Progress, the first annual country book in the Sultanate to go online, is available in a digital version on www.progressoman. com and readers can access individual sector reports on www.oeronline.com/ special-reports/progress-oman. The digital version will serve as a one-stop reference point for people seeking information on Oman’s remarkable journey over the last 48 years. Excerpts of the reports in Progress and exclusive video content have been posted, liked and shared across Progress’s social media platforms along with OER and AIWA’s social media handles. Newsletters via e-mail and WhatsApp were also sent out to UMS’ highly curated databases. As a result, combined reach on social media and digital platforms crossed 200K impressions as of 1 August 2018.