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[00:00:10] marketing opportunities through and entrepreneurship in and Omani ports and the logistical and abundance of diversity affect and heritage. How does this season, especially with the start of the winter season in the governorate. In addition to that, the cultural heritage,
[00:00:12] efforts being made, in fact, in these the cultural diversity, the forts and castles that the
[00:00:16] North Sharqiyah Governorate is famous for. We will delve into the details and the
[00:00:19] preparations of the Heritage and Tourism Department in the
[00:00:23] North Sharqiyah Governorate for
[00:00:25] and heritage forums in the this season. Everyone is looking forward, God willing,
[00:00:28] to this season with our guest, Mrs. Bint Hamad Al Busaidiyah,
[00:00:32] Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in the North
[00:00:34] Sharqiyah Governorate. First of all, we welcome you, and we are, mashallah, inside this
[00:00:38] technical services, or perhaps even services in beautiful fort. Let's talk the latest one with India. about the preparations for
[00:00:41] the winter season
[00:00:43] and also regarding the registration of this in the North Sharqiyah Governorate in the tourism field. Good evening,
[00:00:48] and the impact of this Doctor, and we welcome the viewers to the program "From Oman." Of course, the Ministry of
[00:00:51] Heritage and Tourism has started its preparations for the
[00:00:54] winter tourism season, which usually starts from October to
[00:00:58] April of each year,
[00:01:00] early for this season, in partnership with
[00:01:04] government institutions, the private sector, and the local community.
[00:01:08] Of course, these preparations come in the
[00:01:11] to develop investment field of enhancing the readiness of tourist and heritage sites, in addition
[00:01:16] archaeological sites in to following up on hotel establishments
[00:01:20] and quality management in them, in addition to
[00:01:22] represents in terms of strength enhancing the tourist experience. It is worth mentioning that the governorate includes
[00:01:25] 111 tourist establishments distributed among various
[00:01:29] states of the governorate, with
[00:01:32] 1363 hotel rooms,
[00:01:36] Team or the Business Development Team. and they are also diverse in classification between camps, hotel
[00:01:39] apartments, hotels, green lodges,
[00:01:43] and guesthouses. Excellent, very much so. So these
[00:01:46] establishments are certainly awaiting many tourists
[00:01:49] who are eager to learn more.
[00:01:52] We also learned that North
[00:01:55] we talk about the economic impact, this Sharqiyah is distinguished by a variety of programs and activities,
[00:01:58] whether they are tourist, sports,
[00:02:01] or promotional for this season. Let's talk about the most prominent of these upcoming
[00:02:04] activities, God willing. We have a variety of programs for this season,
[00:02:08] and they include all segments of society, including
[00:02:12] cultural, sports, tourist, and entertainment
[00:02:16] activities. The most prominent of these is the Bidiyah Tourism Festival or Carnival, which
[00:02:19] will start, God willing, on November 19th and last until
[00:02:23] to complete the rest of this December 19th, for five consecutive
[00:02:25] weeks. Of course, the carnival includes a variety of
[00:02:28] activities, including sports and entertainment
[00:02:31] activities,
[00:02:34] and desert adventure activities. The most prominent of these is the
[00:02:37] to all those in charge of festival or the International Baja Championship
[00:02:39] in partnership with the Oman Automobile Association, in addition to
[00:02:43] the Talbidiyah Championship, or what is locally
[00:02:46] he's a piece of work. You have a known as Al-Runat, which is organized by the Bidiyah Automobile
[00:02:49] "From Oman." Thank you from Club. Beautiful, so I expect that the Baja Championship is being held
[00:02:53] in the governorate for the first time. Can we talk about its details
[00:02:56] and also how it is by nature? Yes,
[00:03:00] the championship will be launched through a press conference
[00:03:03] next Sunday, God willing. Of course,
[00:03:06] the Sultanate is registering its presence as a tourist
[00:03:10] site on the tourism map for the international motorsport
[00:03:13] championship, as it will include a group of international
[00:03:17] and global competitors. Yes, I know that you do not want to
[00:03:20] burn the press conference that will be held next Sunday, God willing,
[00:03:24] to talk about the carnival, but also let's talk about
[00:03:28] the components and sites of tourism that the North
[00:03:32] Sharqiyah Governorate is famous for. Yes,
[00:03:34] investment journey. Beautiful. He started the North Sharqiyah Governorate is characterized by a set of tourist components that make it
[00:03:40] Sharqiyah Governorate. This an important tourist destination. The most prominent of these is its proximity to the capital, Muscat,
[00:03:43] in addition to natural components such as deserts, mountains,
[00:03:47] and green oases, in addition to historical landmarks
[00:03:50] and archaeological sites, starting from the Wilayat of Bidiyah and the
[00:03:53] Sharqiyah Sands, which is an opportunity to hold desert adventure
[00:03:57] and camping activities. This is followed by the Wilayat of Wadi Bani, and what
[00:04:00] it contains of water pools, the ancient Al-Uwaynah Mosque,
[00:04:03] and natural and heritage sites.
[00:04:07] We also move to the Wilayat of Ibra, which is also the capital
[00:04:11] of North Sharqiyah and is characterized by the presence of archaeological
[00:04:15] the investor and on behalf of the investor with and historical villages, most notably the neighborhoods of Al-Manzah and
[00:04:20] What stages does this project Al-Qanatir, in addition to the Safari Park. If we move to the Wilayat of Al-Qabil, it also includes
[00:04:24] the Al-Mudhaya neighborhood, the Al-Mudayrib neighborhood, and its traditional
[00:04:27] market, in addition to the opportunity
[00:04:30] to also hold activities for
[00:04:34] desert
[00:04:35] Go tell your father this. sports. The Wilayat of Dima and Al-Tayeen
[00:04:38] is characterized by stunning natural beauty, wadis,
[00:04:41] and natural parks such as Al-Samut, Al-Shakhrah,
[00:04:45] and Al-Ghabra parks. Also, the Wilayat of
[00:04:47] Al-Mudaybi is characterized by the presence of historical
[00:04:51] landmarks, and today we are in one of these landmarks, which is Bait
[00:04:54] Al-Khabib Fort, in addition to Al-Rawdah Castle and Wadi
[00:04:58] Andam Park, in addition to Al-Hawra Park. As for the Wilayat of Sinaw,
[00:05:02] it includes historical neighborhoods, including Al-Sawawfa
[00:05:05] and Al-Barashid neighborhoods, in addition to its traditional
[00:05:07] project ideas from popular market. Mashallah, tabarak Allah, a very rich
[00:05:10] diversity between tourism, culture,
[00:05:15] impact
[00:05:18] the local economy
[00:05:21] the governorate? Of course, the local community
[00:05:25] is a key partner in sustainable tourism development. The North
[00:05:29] Sharqiyah Governorate and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism are working to involve them
[00:05:32] through festivals, carnivals,
[00:05:37] governorate by creating marketing outlets for them,
[00:05:41] in addition to enhancing the tourist experience for these productive
[00:05:45] families and entrepreneurs. Excellent, very much so. Since
[00:05:49] we are at Bait Al-Khabib Fort today,
[00:05:52] how,
[00:05:56] fort in the Arab and Urban Heritage Register,
[00:06:00] registration on this fort and on local
[00:06:04] tourism? Yes, we in the North Sharqiyah Governorate are proud
[00:06:08] of this registration, the registration of Bait Al-Khabib Fort in the Arab Heritage
[00:06:11] site for the North Sharqiyah Governorate
[00:06:14] and for the Sultanate as a whole. Of course, the registration
[00:06:17] came as a result of the unique architectural features and characteristics
[00:06:21] that this fort possesses, embodying
[00:06:25] the nature of the landmarks and
[00:06:28] the Sultanate, in addition to what the ancient Omani
[00:06:32] architect
[00:06:35] in execution.
[00:06:37] What impact will this register or this registration
[00:06:41] add to enhancing the tourism sector
[00:06:44] as a final question? We also direct it to the public and invite
[00:06:47] them to visit. Yes, of course, the Ministry will work,
[00:06:51] through the registration of Bait Al-Khabib Fort in
[00:06:54] the Arab Heritage Sites, on two tracks. The first track is to establish
[00:06:58] it as a tourist destination on the tourist map and to direct all tourist
[00:07:02] trips to pass through the fort, in addition to linking it to other
[00:07:05] tourist sites. Also, work will be done to offer
[00:07:08] it as an investment opportunity, God willing, during
[00:07:12] the coming days. Thank you very much, Professor Sumaya, for
[00:07:16] this, mashallah, wonderful detail
[00:07:19] about the tourist sites, about the components, about the upcoming
[00:07:23] experiences that also await the esteemed viewer and all
[00:07:26] lovers of sports and adventure tourism and getting to know the tourist
[00:07:30] components in the North Sharqiyah Governorate. And we return to you, Saif,
[00:07:35] program. Thank you, thank you, dear colleague Ahmed bin Mohammed
[00:07:39] Al-Maamari. Thank you also to your kind guest. You were
[00:07:42] with us from there, from the North
[00:07:46] Sharqiyah Governorate, and a greeting, of course,
[00:07:49] the tourism sector in this
[00:08:12] Be there.
[00:08:33] With its new integrated form and its multiple
[00:08:37] service facilities, we add the Business Incubation Center building
[00:08:40] and the Business Incubation Center for handicrafts
[00:08:43] and the Omani Heritage House, which add
[00:08:46] a lot of value to private sector institutions
[00:08:50] in the North
[00:08:53] distinguished center, which is the first of
[00:08:56] its kind as a complete incubator for all services
[00:08:59] of the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority regarding entrepreneurship.
[00:09:03] Of course, this center comes
[00:09:06] to complement
[00:09:08] the governorate, and this is a model for institutional
[00:09:12] integration and institutional cooperation between
[00:09:15] the governorate and the Small and Medium Enterprises
[00:09:18] Authority. Yusra, who hopes to
[00:09:22] start her own project in sewing and embroidery
[00:09:25] basics, will find in this workshop
[00:09:28] a suitable place for her to learn design
[00:09:32] skills and manufacturing
[00:09:34] of all kinds of clothes. Acquiring scientific skills
[00:09:38] and developing personal abilities, after that I can open
[00:09:42] my own project. The same applies to training the local community
[00:09:45] around me. With the presence of new machines, there will
[00:09:49] be an acceleration in sewing, such as attaching buttons using
[00:09:52] a fast machine, whereas before, we used to attach them manually.
[00:09:56] So currently, you feel that things are quickly finished.
[00:10:00] The center offers many training services
[00:10:03] in textiles, leather product manufacturing, and
[00:10:07] other things. Empowering
[00:10:09] artisans and transforming ideas and skills
[00:10:13] into sustainable economic
[00:10:17] opportunities, as well as young
[00:10:21] entrepreneurs. The facility is located in the Omani
[00:10:24] Heritage House, which serves
[00:10:27] a segment of entrepreneurs and artisans
[00:10:31] and provides them with
[00:11:09] continues its efforts to enhance its position
[00:11:12] as an attractive investment destination at the local,
[00:11:16] regional, and international
[00:11:19] levels. In this context, the "Invest in Oman" hall stands out
[00:11:22] as an integrated national system
[00:11:26] that goes beyond the promotional role to follow up
[00:11:30] on the investor's journey and also convert investment
[00:11:33] opportunities into projects on the
[00:11:36] ground and productive
[00:11:39] ones. Details regarding this hall, its main objectives,
[00:11:43] aspirations, and other aspects
[00:11:45] related to investment in the Sultanate of Oman. We are pleased at this
[00:11:49] opportunity to host in the studio
[00:11:52] Mr. Omar bin Abdul Rahman Al-Harthy, Senior Investment
[00:11:56] Analyst at Invest in Oman, Ministry of
[00:12:00] Commerce, Industry and Investment
[00:12:12] indicates the localization of approximately 46 investment
[00:12:15] projects with a total
[00:12:19] value of about 3.09 billion
[00:12:22] Omani Riyals during the period from 2023
[00:12:26] until August 2026,
[00:12:30] in addition to, of course, a portfolio of active
[00:12:33] investment projects in several fields.
[00:12:37] How can we initially read
[00:12:40] all these figures and
[00:13:01] its operational activities in February
[00:13:04] 2023 to be the primary platform, interface,
[00:13:08] and official destination for receiving investment
[00:13:11] applications, especially those not less than one
[00:13:15] million Omani Riyals. Of course,
[00:13:18] the hall is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment
[00:13:21] Promotion, and of course, it consists of several
[00:13:25] teams. All these teams work diligently like a beehive
[00:13:28] to attract these investments, as you mentioned, and transform them from mere promotion
[00:13:32] to implementation.
[00:13:35] Of course, if we look at the report you mentioned, brother Saif, we
[00:13:38] are talking today about the Invest in Oman hall receiving 96 investment
[00:13:42] applications since its establishment. We are talking today about 50 applications
[00:13:45] out of these 96 applications that are active applications. When
[00:13:49] we talk today about the nature of these, I mean, what
[00:13:52] is the real meaning of active applications? We are talking
[00:13:56] about the investor starting his
[00:13:59] looking for a local partner, who might be from the public sector
[00:14:03] or the private sector. He entered the Invest in Oman hall
[00:14:07] website and found the investment opportunity that suited
[00:14:10] him. He started talking to investor relations managers within Invest
[00:14:14] in Oman. He started reading about the regulations, legislation,
[00:14:17] and laws. He took measures even to open his commercial register. He started
[00:14:20] understanding the components, which are the licenses,
[00:14:24] the activities, the mechanism of work on them, and understanding the sector. He also started
[00:14:28] meeting many other investors and government
[00:14:31] entities. This is regarding active projects. We classify them
[00:14:35] as active projects, which are projects that the investor has actually taken
[00:14:38] action on. Beautiful. But what is the difference between it and also
[00:14:41] localized projects?
[00:14:45] go through until it reaches the localization stage? Exactly. Of course, the most
[00:14:48] important thing is always the localization number that everyone always asks
[00:14:52] about. Of course, today we are talking about 46 projects out of 96
[00:14:55] projects that have been localized. Yes, the meaning of localization here is that if the project
[00:14:59] was industrial, then this project has started its operational activities. It has entered
[00:15:02] the implementation phase. It has started its approximate operational activities. It has started
[00:15:06] its shipments, whether they are local shipments
[00:15:09] or exports to GCC countries. Some have started
[00:15:13] trial shipments to the United States of America, India, some
[00:15:17] East African countries, China, and Singapore, of course, taking advantage
[00:15:20] of the region that Oman boasts as a strategic
[00:15:24] location, in addition to the integrated logistical
[00:15:27] connectivity available in the Sultanate of Oman. So this is
[00:15:31] regarding industrial sectors. We consider it localized if it
[00:15:34] has actually started its operational process or has started
[00:15:38] excavation and entered its construction and building phases. As
[00:15:41] you know, and it is no secret to anyone, some warehouses, some stores, some
[00:15:44] factories have very international specifications and standards
[00:15:47] that take no less than 12 months to 36 months to
[00:15:51] be completed and built. But we record it as localized because he opened
[00:15:55] his commercial register, deposited the amount he wishes to invest
[00:15:58] in, and has effectively started, meaning he chose
[00:16:02] the land and started operating in it. Okay, the question is about non-industrial
[00:16:06] projects. Non-industrial projects. We are talking about the investor who started
[00:16:09] the procedures for providing services, whether they are logistics
[00:16:12] services, digital services,
[00:16:16] medical care, perhaps services in hotels and hospitality,
[00:16:19] and perhaps also in the case of aquaculture or in the fishing
[00:16:22] sector in general and the agricultural sector. He started the process
[00:16:26] of cultivation, harvesting, packaging, shipping,
[00:16:29] and exporting. So this is what is really meant by localization and activity.
[00:16:33] Excellent. Yes, excellent. Well, on another note, Mr. Omar, in the same context, as we
[00:16:37] talk today about the Invest in Oman hall, we all know
[00:16:40] its relentless pursuit to attract and
[00:16:44] target international companies and also
[00:16:49] opportunities in priority sectors. Here is my question: how are
[00:16:53] the target markets and companies actually
[00:16:57] identified, and what are the main tools
[00:17:00] or techniques actually used to reach
[00:17:03] these companies and investors in general? Of course, in January
[00:17:08] of 2023, the Invest in Oman hall launched a team called the Company Targeting
[00:17:13] This team works to reach all international markets based on
[00:17:16] specific methodologies. Of course,
[00:17:19] the team seeks to reach, as you mentioned, companies
[00:17:22] that have - there are three basic factors and basic methodologies
[00:17:26] that the team follows. First, of course, there is the economic,
[00:17:29] social, and environmental impact. When
[00:17:33] team always seeks to attract companies that
[00:17:36] can generate more job opportunities for
[00:17:39] Omanis. They can also stimulate the economic growth
[00:17:42] of the country. When we talk about the social impact, you know, Saif, you have seen
[00:17:46] many foreign companies operating in Oman for a long time that
[00:17:50] offer social responsibility programs and training, qualification,
[00:17:53] and education programs. So we always look for companies that will be
[00:17:57] partners with us not just for one or two years, but for more than 50
[00:18:01] years. Excellent. When we also talk about one of the other factors in the selection mechanism
[00:18:05] for these companies, the environmental impact. When we talk about the
[00:18:08] environmental impact, we are talking about the positive environmental impact. Are these
[00:18:10] companies using clean energy, alternative energy, or
[00:18:14] green energy as a primary input in their production processes,
[00:18:18] or are they using energy that emits carbon
[00:18:22] dioxide? And you know, in parallel with and in line with the Net Zero Plan 2050,
[00:18:25] we try as much as possible to ensure that these companies operate
[00:18:29] with clean energy. Of course, there is another factor, which is industrial
[00:18:33] linkage or economic complexity. Of course, we believe
[00:18:36] internally in Invest in Oman hall that the national economy
[00:18:39] develops with the entry of factories alongside
[00:18:43] each other, with the buyer and seller also
[00:18:47] present in one market. So if the mining raw material,
[00:18:50] for example, is available in Oman, the team seeks
[00:18:53] to reach companies that can buy the raw
[00:18:57] material from Oman, manufacture it, and export it. If, for example,
[00:19:00] there are petrochemical materials, then how can we reach
[00:19:04] the midstream and downstream sectors? This is a well-known methodology,
[00:19:08] the upstream and midstream, and then, yes, in your discussion of these factors
[00:19:12] that the platform relies on in developing and selecting investment
[00:19:15] opportunities, we all know that previous years have witnessed
[00:19:19] the attraction of many major investment projects,
[00:19:22] including green steel projects, solar energy, and also the manufacturing
[00:19:26] of anode materials. To what extent do these projects
[00:19:30] also contribute to technology transfer and providing job
[00:19:33] opportunities for Omani youth,
[00:19:37] as well as enhancing local Omani
[00:19:40] national content? In reality, the hall was established to be more than just
[00:19:44] a one-stop shop. It was established with a national negotiation
[00:19:47] team, and this team is the team concerned with negotiating on behalf of the government with
[00:19:52] the government. Beautiful. It is like a scale with two pans
[00:19:55] that sees what the national interests are. Today we are talking about
[00:19:59] the Sultanate of Oman offering energy at competitive prices, offering
[00:20:02] land at competitive prices. Also, in return, what the investor
[00:20:06] can offer to the Sultanate of Oman, whether it is generating job opportunities, stimulating
[00:20:09] small and medium enterprises, this team ensures
[00:20:13] that Omani resources are in their place,
[00:20:16] used in their proper place, but at the same time, it provides incentives
[00:20:20] and advantages that encourage investors to invest in the Sultanate of Oman. So this
[00:20:24] mechanism and this approach help us also in enhancing local
[00:20:27] content. There is a national matrix, in fact. The team is made up of legal
[00:20:31] experts, financial experts, project managers
[00:20:35] who work continuously to achieve
[00:20:38] the best, as you say, commercial offer that serves both parties.
[00:20:41] But what are the most prominent privileges offered to the foreign
[00:20:45] investor, if we briefly talk about
[00:20:49] them, and for the esteemed viewer as information as well? Undoubtedly,
[00:20:52] of course, we have economic zones and free zones today,
[00:20:58] connectivity that has been happening recently. You have seen the
[00:21:02] difficult times in the region. Therefore, many
[00:21:06] investors, of course, and the advantages that we offer them, of course, are competitive
[00:21:10] land and land prices, in addition to energy prices. In addition
[00:21:13] to that, there are also customs exemptions, there are tax
[00:21:17] exemptions. Don't forget also the ability to access
[00:21:20] markets. The Sultanate of Oman today has signed a free trade agreement, especially
[00:21:25] This also enables many Omani products to reach Indian
[00:21:29] markets. All these factors are a competitive and relative
[00:21:32] advantage for the investor, and it is a safe haven
[00:21:35] for them to invest their money and projects in the Sultanate of Oman. Yes,
[00:21:39] and we are talking today about the Invest in Oman hall,
[00:21:42] and of course, a greeting here to all those in charge of this hall. But my
[00:21:46] question concerns the most prominent priorities, the most prominent aspirations,
[00:21:50] the most prominent ambitions during the upcoming phase
[00:21:53] regarding achieving the most prominent goals for
[00:21:57] Invest in Oman, in alignment also with achieving the targets
[00:22:00] of Oman Vision 2040. Undoubtedly, it is accelerating the localization of these active
[00:22:04] projects mentioned, and it is always at the top of the priorities of all teams within Invest
[00:22:08] in Oman: how can these projects generate more
[00:22:12] job opportunities for job seekers, and not just for job seekers, but also for Omanis
[00:22:15] at all administrative levels of any commercial establishment or any factory that may be
[00:22:19] established in the Sultanate of Oman? In addition to that, we aim to close no less
[00:22:23] than four to five projects before the end of the year. We have closed approximately
[00:22:27] 11 projects worth 500 million this year alone, but our ambition does not stop here.
[00:22:30] We hope, God willing, that the four projects mentioned will be completed before
[00:22:34] the end of the year, and they will add no less than 100 million Omani Riyals, God willing. God
[00:22:38] willing. The message that Invest in Oman
[00:22:41] wishes to convey to every foreign investor
[00:22:45] or anyone who wishes to invest in the Sultanate of Oman,
[00:22:48] and what it contains of components and features, as you
[00:22:51] mentioned in your speech a little while ago, Mr. Omar: "He who hears is not like
[00:22:55] he who sees." So we invite all investors to visit the Sultanate of Oman and learn about the investment
[00:22:59] opportunities and the relative and competitive advantages it
[00:23:34] we have reached the end of today's episode of your program
[00:23:39] the bottom of our hearts for your kind viewership. These are my greetings
[00:23:43] and the greetings of all my colleagues, the work team, and the greetings of the director, Hammoud
[00:23:46] Al-Hasani, who wishes you a pleasant, beautiful, and happy night.