Omani Men Find Marriage Huge Financial Burden

One of the demands posed by demonstrators during the “Arab Spring” in Oman was to create a fund to help Omani men finance the lavish weddings and high dowries which are expected by the bride and her family.

Shura Council Offers Partial Solution

Omani Bride

The parliamentary-like body in Oman known as the Shura Council has offered to create a “Marriage Support Fund” which will distribute interest-free loans to those that cannot afford the cost of a wedding and dowry. There is also a plan to offer counseling and advice which will help to encourage the couples to spend less on their weddings and bring the bride-prices down.

One demonstrator, Abdullah Alabri, 27 explained the painful situation for Omani men.

“We have reached a stage where we cannot get married. We kept competing with our peers and now we are begging the government for help.”

Interest Free Loans

Couples making less than 500 rials per month will be eligible to apply for the 4,000 rial loans. This amount however will probably not do too much to alleviate the overall cost of marriage for most people.

Lower Dowry Prices Needed

A wedding in Oman can cost upwards of 30,000 rials, with large numbers of guests, luxuries venues and sumptuous meals. A dowry can cost an additional 15,000 rials, while deeply inside Oman the dowry can cost as much as 30,000 rials. The bride-price is set by the woman’s parents with the bride having little to say about it, in general.

“High dowries are demanded in the interior cities such as Buraimi and Ibri due to existing tribal ideas and social pressure,” said Abdul Jalil, an Omani who works at a petroleum company.

“A low dowry arouses suspicion that something is ‘wrong’ with the girl, making higher dowries a matter of pride,” he added.

Double Taxation to End between Oman and the Philippines

The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of the Philippines are in the process of negotiating an agreement which will end double taxation between them in order to boost bi-lateral trade.

Tax Agreement Coming Soon

Spokesman for the Philippine embassy in Muscat, Omar M. Pangarungan explained that the countries are about to begin their second round of talks to produce  an agreement which both countries can feel good about.

Oman is anxious to begin the second round of negotiations in the hope that an agreement can be hammered out soon. Pangarungan said that although trade between the two countries is at the moment minimal, there exists a huge potential for an abundance of bi-lateral trade.

“Philippines is keen on improving its trade relations with the Sultanate,” the Filipino diplomat reiterated.

Cultural Exchange Agreement Also

Omar M. Pangarungan

In addition to the trade agreement, another mutually beneficial treaty is in the works. The two Muslim nations share much in the way of culture and heritage and they therefore decided that it is in their mutual interest to have a more open flow of cultural benefits between them

“The draft of the agreement has already been finalized and the signing is expected anytime from now,” said Pangarungan.

“Once the signing is done, the channels of exchange of scholars, preservation of heritage, artists, etc., will open,” he said.

Filipino Scholars Wanted in Oman

It is especially of interest to the Sultanate to have Filipino scholars welcomed at Sultan Qaboos University. Many innovative scholars from the Philippines travel to the United States and other western countries, influencing the academic world there. It would benefit Oman to have such intellectuals spend time in the Sultanate.

Oman Increases Scholarships by Forty Three Per Cent

The Omani Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud Al Busaidiyah announced at a joint press conference with the Manpower Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri and the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said recently ordered an increase in the number of educational grants by 8,500 to graduates of high schools to continue their studies within and outside Oman.

Forty Three Per Cent Increase

The additional grants awarded represent an increase of 43% to the original plan, bringing the total number of grants for higher education in Oman to 28,400 for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“The royal grant has made students, parents and all Omani families happy,” al Busaidiyah said.

Qaboos University

Fifty Seven Percent of Students Receive Grants

Approximately 51,000 students, both men and women, have applied with the Higher Education Admission Center in expectation of continuing their studies this coming year. With the latest announcement taken into consideration the percentage of students studying for higher degrees this year will be 57%, a significant increase over last year’s 35%.

Dr. Al Busaidiyah added that the ministry of education has been able to increase the number places as well as scholarships this coming year at state run institutions like SQU and Colleges of Applied Sciences.

In addition, the Manpower Ministry will admit more students into the Colleges of Technology which are under their control.

“Raising the number of students receiving higher education will lead to more qualified Omanis entering the job market, thus decreasing the size of the expatriate workforce especially in specialized and technical jobs. This in turn will contribute to the growth of the national economy,” al Busaidiyah said.

OPEC Meeting This Week in Vienna

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is scheduled to meet this week in Vienna. Their task will be to strike a fine balance between setting oil prices just right so that the international economy can continue on its slow and tedious recovery without having to deal with an extra burden of rising oil prices, while at the same time making up for the lack of oil flowing from Libya.

Oil Production Will Stay Steady

Analysts believe that OPEC will be forced to hold the level of oil production steady, with no serious changes on the horizon. OPEC is made up of 12 member nations, and together they produce roughly 40% of the world’s oil supply. The Wednesday meeting will be held in the midst of growing global fears that a significant increase in the price of crude oil will strike a blow at the hesitant international economic recovery which will lead to a decrease in the demand of oil worldwide.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has requested that OPEC increase oil output and so avoid another harmful rise in prices, taking into consideration that during the coming summer months Northern Hemisphere oil demand will increase.

Rising Oil Prices Blow to Economy

Brent oil prices have risen a startling 21% so far this year, mostly in response to the widespread protests and violence which have occupied much of the past six months in the Middle East and North African region, with a large contribution from Libya, an OPEC member state.

“I would expect OPEC to leave quotas unchanged, rather than raise them, given the growing evidence that global demand is slowing,” said Capital Economics analyst Julian Jessop. “There is speculation in the market that they will be doing something to acknowledge the supply problems in Libya.

“Regardless of what OPEC happens to do — prices have further to fall,” Jessop added, referring to recent economic data showing that one of the world’s most important oil consumers, the United States is having a rough economic time of it and will most likely reduce consumption rather than pay more for the crude.

Sustainability Seminar Held in Muscat

The Health Minister of Oman, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saieedi, and many other Ministry employees were on hand for a seminar on Project Management and Sustainability Methodology in Muscat on Wednesday.

Sustainability Through Management

The goal of the seminar was to introduce ways to achieve sustainability through the efficient use of management, with a special emphasis on usage in the Health Ministry. Of special concern were IT projects which have already been approved and given the go-ahead by a different ministry of the Sultanate, where several Omani employees were trained, accredited and registered as experts in this particular method of management.

Middle East Precedent

This training and accreditation is the first such approval of the use of this methodology in the Middle East, and the accreditation is recognized internationally.

Other institutions in Oman, both in the public and private spheres, are working now to get similar accreditation of international standing.

Approved in UK, Too

In addition, the United Kingdom Trade Ministry has also approved this particular methodology to achieve sustainability as a management tool for many different projects in which they themselves engage.

DHL Express Expanding in Oman

Better express delivery service can now be expected as DHL Express, the world’s largest express delivery company, upgrades its fleet of trucks in Oman.

DHL Expanding in Oman

The investment of DHL in 19 new delivery trucks is valued at an estimated RO 175,000 ($455,000) and is expected to greatly increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of deliveries throughout the Sultanate.

This new capital investment is designed to demonstrate DHL’s commitment to meeting and even surpassing their customers’ needs and expectations for fast and reliable delivery service in Oman.

“Our business in Oman is continuing to experience growth and as we expand, the continued investment in our vehicles will provide us with the capacity required to meet our customers’ demands,” said Michael Nistor, country manager of DHL Express Oman.

“DHL continues to build on our reputation as a leading and innovative logistics company, which is fully committed to offering our customers the highest standards of service, convenience and quality.”

First Gateway Facility in Oman

Recently DHL Express invested RO85,000 ($221,000) in a new gateway facility in a prime industrial area in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. DHL was the first express company to start a gully-bonded gateway facility in Oman, and now the expanded fleet seals the seriousness of the commitment DHL Express has to its investment in Oman.

The managing director of DHL Express, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, Gary Kemp, said, “This investment reinforces our commitment to Oman. We continue to strengthen our position as a preferred logistics partner to our customers in Oman. “

“It is our commitment to understand our customers and deliver quality logistics solutions at industry leading transit times,” he added.

Omani Marriage Support Fund To Come Before Sultan for Approval

A final draft of a report recommending the creation of a “Marriage Support Fund” in Oman will go before the Sultan for its final approval.

Council of People’s Representatives

The report was honed by the elected council of people’s representatives. The report has gone through several drafts and was at last given its final form after extensive discussions about the need for and ramifications of such a law.

Majilis Ash’shura

After the final stage of the report’s development, a drafting by the Health and Social Committee of the Majilis Ash’shura, the report is now ready to be examined by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said before he gives the report his final approval.

Meeting Demands of Protestors

The creation of such a fund in Oman is unprecedented, and its development is a direct result of the demands of reform called for by protesters who shook the Omani political scene earlier this year. The establishment of a governmental fund to support young Omani men in their desire to marry was one of the prime demands of the protesters, who took to the streets in cities throughout the Sultanate, including Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and other areas. Subsequently, practically all of the demonstrators’ demands have been met by the governmental authorities.

The Deputy Head of the Health and Social Committee, Marhoon bin Masud Al Ghaithi, commented on the significant contribution this fund will make to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Oman after the adopting of the report by the council.

“When some citizens cannot meet the costs of marriage due to high dowries and financial inability, that has a negative impact on the society,” said Al Ghaithi.  “This directly results in late marriages, and a large chunk of the Omani youths become averse to marriage due to these factors.”

Marriage Fund Issue Studied In-Depth

Al Ghaithi added that the committee had studied the issue in-depth, taking several steps before the final version of the report was completed.

“We looked into existing legislations, laws, bylaws and decisions related to marriage in the Sultanate. We also reviewed a number of studies, researches, data,” he added.

Al Ghaithi also said that there are many other benefits of this fund, and he is satisfied that this fund will be established by Oman with great benefit to the Sultanate.

GCC To Support Yemeni Refugees if Need Arises

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is entering a new stage in its development as it celebrates 30 years since its founding.

GCC Determined to Stay United

The Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, released a statement to the press  affirming the unity felt among the governments of the GCC countries in spite of the recent developments in the region which has place stress on the various alliances.

Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah

Bin Abdullah added that the reason for this unity is that the citizens of the Gulf region understand and respect the importance of unity and loyalty to their homelands as well as to their leadership.

Yemen Point of Concern for GCC

The Foreign Affairs minister also expressed his sadness at the unfortunate events which have been transpiring in Yemen over the last two days, calling on the sides involved in the conflict to use wisdom when discussing their disagreements and differences.

Bin Abdullah explained that although the GCC has halted their initiative to help Yemen, they are nevertheless ready to lend aid to the people of Yemen, saying,

“We are ready to help our Yemeni brothers once the circumstances and ground situation on which we can work are appropriate.”

No Refugees So Far

He stated that so far Oman has not seen any large scale traversing of the borders of Yemen as a response to the present crisis there, and he does not expect to see a refugee problem, but if one should arise in the future Oman is ready to help out in whatever ways are needed.

In response to other issues of concern to the GCC Bin Abdullah stated that the issue of Jordan and Morocco joining the GCC is one that will be discussed to see if such a step adheres to the goals that were determined at the Consultative Summit.

Duqm Economic Zone on Cusp of Large Development

Duqm Port

A new economic zone of development is being established in Oman’s northern Al Wusta region. Analysts are predicting that the area will attract between $10 and $15 billion in direct investment over the next ten years.

Boosts GDP and Number of Jobs

Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, the minister of financial affairs for the Sultanate, explained that the Economic Zone of Duqm will more than likely contribute between 5% and 8% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the non-oil sector of the Omani economy by the year 2020. Al Balushi also explained that the growth will add between 15,000 and 20,000 jobs to the economy over the course of the next ten years.

Refinery First

Among the first of the developments in the area is set to be a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex, explained al Balushi at the opening session of an economic forum discussing the various investment opportunities to be had in the port city of the Duqm Economic Zone. The forum, which took place on Tuesday, was organized by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Establish Authority to Oversee Zone

Al Balushi told the gathering that the Omani government is presently making the needed arrangements to create an authority which will be in charge of organizing and managing the zone. The authority will also be able to develop the required legislation and bylaws on investment, including creating the appropriate financial incentives, facilities and land use rules which will be designed to make the Duqm Economic Zone profitable and successful.

Oman Considering First Major Solar Energy Project

All that is needed to get a large solar energy power project started in Oman is approval from the government. If approval is granted this project will be Oman’s first major grid-connected solar power project. The project in question is planned to have the capacity to produce 200 megawatts of power, and approval is expected soon.

Government Delays

There have delays getting approval for the project, mostly due to the recent changes in the cabinet, but the new ministers are carefully examining the various aspects of this venture into the realm of renewable energy. Included are investigations into the financial burden of the project on the government, which was previously considered to be too costly.

Andrew Charles Rackham, the Director of Projects Development for the Oman Power and Water Company addressed the issue of the ministers carefully examining the details of the project.

“I think they are using the time to recommit and understand what the solar project means to Oman. They are committed to doing the project. They need to understand the impact and the financing, before taking a final decision,” said Rackham.

Mr. Rackham was speaking at the pre-summit focus conference as the Oman Power and Water Company’s representative. The conference is being organized by the Global Exhibitions & Conferences (GEC) in partnership with IQPC Middle East.

Significant Price Drop

When the OPWPC first looked into investing in this project, the cost was prohibitive. Eight months ago it was estimated that at the prevailing cost for photovoltaic (PV) power was about $5,000 per kilowatt, making the final power plant cost to be about $1 billion.

In the past months, however, the price has been dropping, as Rackham explained.

“But we are already seeing the price of PV dropping and probably, will drop through the $3,000 floor, down to $2,000. Then, you are looking at a project in the region of $500 million to $600 million.”

Still More Time Needed

Even after approval for the project is obtained it will probably take an additional 14 months to obtain a contract to build the plant. “Since it is the first project (of its kind in Oman) it is taking a bit more time.”