OMAN — broadcast
20261105 083000 UTC
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[00:00:00] We worked with the teams,
[00:00:00] welcome you, and mashallah, inside this I mean, abroad, and we implanted this type of
[00:00:04] devices abroad.
[00:00:10] and Urban Register, and the impact of in the North Sharqiyah Governorate in And she took her time, I mean, she read about the topic and about the device itself.
[00:00:13] And what she was most comfortable with was that she didn't
[00:00:17] have to wear a hearing aid in her ear. The receiver is worn
[00:00:20] behind the ear. Correct. So she was comfortable with this
[00:00:24] way.
[00:00:26] Of course, part of the evaluation is that we also do
[00:00:30] a CT scan to make sure that the middle
[00:00:34] investment opportunities in ear is naturally healthy.
[00:00:38] sites in The auditory ossicles are also naturally present, because the device will
[00:00:41] enter the middle ear and be attached to one of the auditory
[00:00:44] ossicles in the middle ear. Thank God, the
[00:00:48] We are pleased in this opportunity to scans were appropriate. in terms of strength in We sat with the patient, as
[00:00:52] I told you, we explained the scans to her, and before we made
[00:00:56] the final decision, we told her that in order for her to be more convinced, we would try the device, which is
[00:01:06] that the result with the implant is usually stronger. And now, Doctor, how is her health after this operation?
[00:01:10] How is her condition?
[00:01:13] I saw her once or twice after the operation. We turned on the device approximately three
[00:01:16] weeks
[00:01:18] we talk about the economic impact, this
[00:01:18] Sharqiyah is characterized by a variety of later. So the interesting difference here
[00:01:21] is that due to the loudness of the sound, she said, "Please,
[00:01:24] turn down the sound." Yes, because the sound was loud. So we actually
[00:01:28] turned down the sound, and she was relieved. So, with time and training, we might need
[00:01:33] fishing experience in to gradually increase the sound until we reach the point where the device still has power to give her, but
[00:01:36] she was comfortable with the lowest power
[00:01:40] and tourism and getting to know setting. I expect this achievement will also
[00:01:43] open the door for expanding
[00:01:46] the services of cochlear implants in the Sultanate
[00:01:51] the carnival includes a variety of of Oman in general, Doctor. Absolutely, of course,
[00:01:54] we always aspire to the best, and we always aspire for our
[00:01:58] programs for assistive
[00:02:00] devices to be integrated programs,
[00:02:02] International Championship, in partnership with not just limited to implanting a specific type of assistive
[00:02:06] device. Of course, hearing problems are very
[00:02:09] common in young people, in adults, and in children. Every
[00:02:12] patient, of course, is considered a unique and distinct case
[00:02:16] that requires a unique type of assistive
[00:02:18] device. So we try to expand the range of available options
[00:02:22] to include all age groups
[00:02:25] and also to include all
[00:02:27] levels of hearing impairment for patients.
[00:02:31] And thank God, with the implantation of this
[00:02:33] as a tourist destination on device, we have made a great step forward in
[00:02:36] the field of assistive device implantation,
[00:02:38] international and God willing, we are also keeping up with
[00:02:42] developments and following the news. If anything appears anywhere
[00:02:45] in the world in terms of advanced hearing aids, we
[00:02:49] will also be ready to attract them. The competencies
[00:02:53] are very high and highly trained, capable
[00:02:57] Excellent. He started of implanting any device, thank God.
[00:03:03] Sharqiyah Governorate. This impression on the visitor Of course, thanks to the wise policies of the country, and I also don't forget, if you allow me,
[00:03:07] the continuous and truly unlimited support from the administrations,
[00:03:10] whether it's the administration of the University Medical City or
[00:03:13] the hospital administration itself. Thank you, Doctor. May God
[00:03:17] bless your efforts and your diligent endeavors. All
[00:03:21] greetings, best wishes, and appreciation. And thank you also for being with us today on
[00:03:24] the program "Min Oman" for all these clarifications that you have provided to all
[00:03:28] viewers, male and female. Dr. Khalid bin Said
[00:03:32] Al-Zaabi, Consultant of Ear Diseases and Surgery
[00:03:35] and Lateral Skull Base at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,
[00:03:38] University Medical City. From
[00:03:42] are the stages that this the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for the invitation. Thank you very much. So, dear viewers,
[00:03:46] we are still with you in this evening's
[00:03:49] outside it tour, this evening's excursion in your program "Min Oman." We take
[00:03:51] you to a report that talks about
[00:03:55] winter tourism in the Sultanate of Oman.
[00:03:58] The historical and cultural landmarks, the beautiful sites
[00:04:01] and attractions. And after that, God willing,
[00:04:04] we will move to a live and direct link to North Sharqiyah. We will watch this
[00:04:08] report, and then return.
[00:04:41] this momentum of diversity on in this season, and heritage. How does this
[00:04:42] in the governorate.
[00:04:47] difficult days in and also on entrepreneurship in marketing opportunities for them through this and specifications that take linkage that has been happening
[00:04:54] Winter in Oman is a story that renews itself with the mildness
[00:04:58] of the weather. Here, the golden
[00:05:00] and heritage forums. It is located in sands provide a space for adventure, and there,
[00:05:04] the blue sea embraces shores brimming
[00:05:07] with beauty. And among them, ancient villages and neighborhoods
[00:05:10] preserve the scent of history and memory.
[00:05:12] The place.
[00:05:15] From the mountains and plains of Dhofar in the south to the sands of Sharqiyah
[00:05:19] and its desert extensions, reaching the marine
[00:05:22] inlets in Musandam in the north, the features
[00:05:25] of the winter tourism experience in Oman vary between
[00:05:29] mountain landscapes, desert excursions, and
[00:05:32] marine adventures, in a geographical diversity that gives each
[00:05:35] destination its unique character and enriches the visitor's
[00:05:39] experience. And in the heart of Omani neighborhoods,
[00:05:43] the stories of the place and the memory
[00:05:45] of its generations are hidden. Among the mud walls, the gypsum
[00:05:49] decorations, and the wooden doors, the features
[00:05:53] of traditional architecture are revealed. Some of these houses have regained their
[00:05:57] tourist presence after being converted into inns, cafes,
[00:06:00] and community projects that offer visitors the opportunity
[00:06:03] to get close to the authenticity of the place. Some
[00:06:06] places' stories do not end with their departure,
[00:06:10] but remain present in the human being's memory with the
[00:06:13] sights, experiences, and impressions they leave behind. This
[00:06:17] is reflected in the stories of visitors who carry with them from
[00:06:20] Oman memories that transcend the boundaries
[00:06:23] of the place.
[00:06:28] This is my first visit to Muscat, and I was very
[00:06:31] impressed by its beauty, its urban planning, and its historical
[00:06:35] landmarks. I visited the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque.
[00:06:39] And its architectural and artistic details amazed me.
[00:06:43] We also had a wonderful Shuwaymiyah,
[00:06:46] during which we enjoyed the beauty of the sea and nature, and caught
[00:06:50] many fish. The winter weather in Oman
[00:06:54] is beautiful and ideal for exploration and adventure.
[00:06:57] And I advise everyone to visit it, as my
[00:07:00] experience there has been wonderful so far.
[00:07:02] And
[00:07:05] across the governorates, the tourism movement takes on
[00:07:09] other dimensions with the seasonal events that vary
[00:07:12] between cultural and heritage festivals
[00:07:15] and recreational and sporting activities, and
[00:07:19] invest in local components to attract
[00:07:22] different categories of visitors. And in terms of
[00:07:25] numbers and indicators, the Sultanate of Oman received about two
[00:07:29] and a half million visitors during the period from January to August
[00:07:33] 2026, while the tourism sector's contribution
[00:07:36] to the GDP increased to
[00:07:39] 2.9% by the end of the first quarter of the year.
[00:07:43] And the direct local product of tourism reached
[00:07:46] 293,800
[00:07:50] Omani riyals, achieving a growth rate of
[00:07:53] 6.5% compared to the same
[00:07:56] period last
[00:07:57] year.
[00:08:01] In Oman's winter, the story does not end with the end of the trip,
[00:08:04] for between the magic of nature, the authenticity of the place, and the nobility
[00:08:08] of the human being, experiences are formed that leave a lasting
[00:08:13] that time cannot erase.
[00:08:25] And talking about Oman's winter, Oman's winter
[00:08:29] is always exceptional because it combines
[00:08:32] the authenticity of its people and the magic of Omani nature.
[00:08:35] We are still talking about tourism, specifically winter
[00:08:38] tourism, and the next transition will be to one of
[00:08:42] the beautiful and ancient governorates of the Sultanate of Oman,
[00:08:46] the North Sharqiyah governorate, where our dear colleague Ahmed
[00:08:49] bin Mohammed Al-Maamari will convey to us the details
[00:08:52] of the beauty in this governorate and what
[00:08:55] it offers to the dear visitor from
[00:08:59] inside the Sultanate of Oman and from
[00:09:01] to enjoy all these components, attractions,
[00:09:05] and cultural and historical landmarks. From
[00:09:08] there to our colleague Ahmed, good evening to
[00:09:12] you.
[00:09:17] Evenings of beauty, Saif, and all dear viewers.
[00:09:20] Diverse elements and also
[00:09:23] captivating scenes enchant us here in the North Sharqiyah Governorate,
[00:09:27] in every corner. As soon as you exit the tunnels of Wadi
[00:09:30] Al-Aqq towards North Sharqiyah, you are greeted
[00:09:33] by the atmosphere of Al-Jardah area with its pleasant
[00:09:37] and wonderful breezes, leading to the valleys of this
[00:09:40] governorate, its mountains, its sands, and its plains. All these
[00:09:44] elements are distinctive
[00:09:48] to the North Sharqiyah Governorate, especially
[00:09:51] with the start of the winter season
[00:09:55] In addition to that, there is the heritage,
[00:09:58] the culture, the cultural diversity, the forts
[00:10:01] and castles that characterize the North Sharqiyah Governorate.
[00:10:05] We will delve into the details and also the preparations of the
[00:10:08] Heritage and Tourism Department in the North Sharqiyah Governorate for this season.
[00:10:13] Everyone is eager, God willing, for this season, with our guest, Ms. Sumaya
[00:10:17] bint Hamad Al-Busaidi, Director of the Department of Heritage
[00:10:20] and Tourism in the North Sharqiyah Governorate. First of all, we
[00:10:25] beautiful fort, we talk about the preparations
[00:10:29] for the winter season
[00:10:32] the tourism sector. Good evening, Doctor, and we welcome
[00:10:35] the viewers to the program "Min Oman." Of course, the Ministry of
[00:10:39] Heritage and Tourism began its preparations for the winter
[00:10:42] tourism season, which usually starts from October to
[00:10:46] April of each year, early
[00:10:48] for this season, in partnership with government
[00:10:52] institutions, the private sector, and the local community.
[00:10:56] Of course, these preparations come in the context of enhancing
[00:10:59] the readiness of tourist and heritage sites, in addition
[00:11:03] to monitoring hotel establishments
[00:11:06] and quality management in them, as well as enhancing the tourist experience.
[00:11:10] It is worth mentioning that the governorate includes
[00:11:13] 111 tourist establishments distributed across various wilayats
[00:11:17] of the governorate, with
[00:11:19] 1363 hotel rooms.
[00:11:22] And also, they are diverse in classification
[00:11:26] between camps, hotel apartments,
[00:11:28] hotels, green lodges, and guesthouses.
[00:11:31] Excellent. So these establishments are certainly
[00:11:35] awaiting many tourists who
[00:11:39] are eager to also learn that North
[00:11:43] programs and events, whether tourist,
[00:11:47] sports, or recreational, for this season. Let's talk
[00:11:51] about the most prominent of these upcoming events, God willing. We have a variety of
[00:11:54] programs for this season that include all
[00:11:57] segments of society, including cultural, sports,
[00:12:01] tourist, and recreational activities. The most prominent of these is the
[00:12:04] Bidiyah Tourism Festival or Carnival, which will start, God willing,
[00:12:08] on November 19th until December 19th,
[00:12:11] for five consecutive weeks. Of course,
[00:12:16] sports and recreational
[00:12:19] activities, and desert adventure
[00:12:22] activities. The most prominent Baha
[00:12:27] the Oman Automobile Association, in addition to
[00:12:30] the Tel Bidiyah Championship, or what is locally known as Ronat, which
[00:12:34] is organized by the Bidiyah Automobile Club. Excellent. So I expect
[00:12:37] that the Baha Championship is being held
[00:12:40] in the governorate for the first time. Can you tell us about its details
[00:12:44] and also its nature? Yes, the details
[00:12:47] of the championship will be announced during the press conference next
[00:12:51] Sunday, God willing. Of course, the Sultanate
[00:12:55] is registering its presence
[00:12:58] the global motor sports map, as it will include a group of
[00:13:03] and global competitors. Yes, I know you
[00:13:07] don't want to spoil the press conference that will be held, God willing,
[00:13:11] next Sunday, to talk about the carnival, but let's also talk
[00:13:14] about the components and tourist
[00:13:17] sites that the North Sharqiyah Governorate is famous for.
[00:13:20] Yes, the North Sharqiyah Governorate is characterized by a group of
[00:13:24] tourist components that make it an important tourist destination.
[00:13:28] The most prominent of these is its proximity to the capital,
[00:13:31] Muscat, in addition to its natural components such as deserts, mountains,
[00:13:34] and green oases, in addition to historical landmarks
[00:13:37] and archaeological sites, starting from Bidiyah Governorate and the Sharqiyah Sands,
[00:13:41] which is an opportunity to hold desert adventure
[00:13:45] and camping activities. This is followed by Wadi Bani Khalid Governorate and what it contains
[00:13:48] of the archaeological Al-Uwaynah Mosque,
[00:13:51] natural and heritage sites.
[00:13:55] We also move to Ibra Governorate, also as the capital
[00:13:58] of North Sharqiyah, and what it is characterized by the presence of archaeological
[00:14:02] and historical villages, most notably Harat
[00:14:05] Al-Manzifah and Al-Qanatir, in addition to
[00:14:08] Safari Park. Then we move to Al-Qabil Governorate, which also includes
[00:14:11] Harat Al-Muderib and its traditional
[00:14:15] market, in addition to an opportunity
[00:14:19] to also hold events
[00:14:22] and desert sports activities.
[00:14:25] The Wilayat of Al-Waqqayn is characterized by stunning natural beauty
[00:14:28] with valleys and natural parks such as
[00:14:32] Al-Sumoot, Al-Shakhra, and Al-Ghabra parks.
[00:14:35] Also the Wilayat of Al-Mudhaibi
[00:14:38] is characterized by the presence of historical landmarks, and today we are in one of these
[00:14:42] landmarks, which is Bait Al-Khabib Fort, in addition to
[00:14:45] Al-Rawdah Castle and Wadi Andam Park, in addition to Al-Hawra Park. As for the Wilayat of Sanaw
[00:14:49] and its villages, it includes historical neighborhoods, including
[00:14:52] Harat Al-Sawafah and Al-Barashid, in addition to its traditional
[00:14:56] and popular market. Mashallah, a very rich diversity
[00:15:00] between tourism, culture,
[00:15:03] impact
[00:15:06] the local economy
[00:15:09] the governorate? Of course, the local community
[00:15:13] is considered a key partner in sustainable tourism development. So
[00:15:16] the North Sharqiyah Governorate and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism work to
[00:15:19] involve it through festivals, carnivals,
[00:15:25] the governorate, by creating marketing
[00:15:28] outlets for them, in addition to enhancing the tourist
[00:15:31] experience for these productive families
[00:15:34] and entrepreneurs. Excellent. Since we are today in
[00:15:37] Bait Al-Khabib Fort, how
[00:15:41] or also about the registration of this fort in the
[00:15:44] Arab Heritage
[00:15:48] this registration also on this fort and on local
[00:15:51] tourism? Yes, we in North Sharqiyah Governorate are proud of
[00:15:55] this registration, the registration of Bait Al-Khabib Fort in the Arab Heritage
[00:15:58] site for North Sharqiyah Governorate
[00:16:02] and for the Sultanate as a whole. Of course, the registration came
[00:16:05] as a result of what distinguishes this fort. From landmarks or from unique
[00:16:09] architectural features that embody
[00:16:12] the nature of the landmarks or archaeological
[00:16:16] the Sultanate, in addition to what the ancient Omani architect
[00:16:20] represents
[00:16:22] execution.
[00:16:25] What impact will this register or
[00:16:29] this registration, God willing, add to enhancing the tourism
[00:16:32] sector, as a final question also directed to the public,
[00:16:35] and we also invite them to visit? Yes,
[00:16:39] the Ministry will work, of course, through the registration of Bait Al-Khabib Fort
[00:16:42] in the Arab Heritage sites, on two tracks. The first track is
[00:16:45] to establish it on the tourism map and direct all tourist
[00:16:48] trips to pass by the fort, in addition to linking it to other
[00:16:52] tourist sites. Also, work will be done to
[00:16:56] offer it as an investment opportunity, God willing, during
[00:16:59] the coming days. Thank you very much, Ms.
[00:17:03] Sumaya, for this wonderful and detailed
[00:17:05] explanation. About the tourist sites,
[00:17:09] about the components, about the upcoming experiences that also await
[00:17:12] the dear viewer and all lovers of adventure sports
[00:17:17] the tourist components in North Sharqiyah Governorate. And we return
[00:17:20] to you, Saif, to complete the rest of this program. Thank
[00:17:24] you, thank you, dear colleague Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Maamari. Thank you also
[00:17:28] to your esteemed guest. You were with us from there, from
[00:17:32] the North Sharqiyah Governorate, and greetings, of course,
[00:17:35] to all those working in the tourism sector in this ancient
[00:17:39] and beautiful governorate. After a short break, we will return
[00:17:43] to complete this evening's tour from Oman.
[00:18:20] With its new, integrated appearance and its multiple
[00:18:24] service facilities, the Entrepreneurship Center building
[00:18:27] and the Entrepreneurship Center for Handicraft Industries
[00:18:31] and the Omani Handicraft House
[00:18:34] add a lot of value to private sector institutions
[00:18:37] in North
[00:18:40] distinguished center, which is the first
[00:18:43] of its kind as a complete incubator for all services of the Small
[00:18:47] and Medium Enterprises Development Authority in terms of
[00:18:50] entrepreneurship, of course, this center
[00:18:54] comes in integration with
[00:18:58] the governorate, and this is a model
[00:19:01] for institutional integration between the governorate
[00:19:03] and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority.
[00:19:07] Yusra, who hopes to establish her own project in
[00:19:11] the basics of sewing and embroidery,
[00:19:14] will find in this workshop a suitable place
[00:19:17] for her to learn design skills and the manufacture
[00:19:21] of various garments, acquiring
[00:19:23] scientific skills, developing personal capabilities,
[00:19:27] then I can open my own project, and the same thing, it will be
[00:19:31] training for the local community around me. With the presence
[00:19:34] of new machines, there will be acceleration
[00:19:38] in sewing, such as attaching buttons with a fast
[00:19:42] machine, unlike before when we used to attach them manually. So now you feel that things
[00:19:46] are fast, we finish them quickly. And the center provides
[00:19:49] many training services in textiles
[00:19:52] and the manufacture of leather products and
[00:19:56] others. Empowering artisans and transforming
[00:19:59] ideas and skills into
[00:20:01] sustainable economic opportunities,
[00:20:04] as well as supporting startup
[00:20:08] projects. The facility also includes the Omani Handicraft
[00:20:12] House, which serves a segment of
[00:20:15] entrepreneurs and artisans,
[00:20:18] and creates
[00:20:22] Handicraft House. And entrepreneurs
[00:20:25] in various wilayats of the North Sharqiyah Governorate will benefit
[00:20:29] from the center, which will contribute to developing
[00:20:32] their projects and various
[00:20:35] businesses.
[00:20:51] Welcome back, our viewers and followers.
[00:20:54] The Sultanate of Oman continues its efforts to enhance
[00:20:58] its position as an attractive investment
[00:21:01] destination at the local, regional,
[00:21:04] and international levels. In this context, the "Invest
[00:21:08] in Oman" hall stands out as a comprehensive national
[00:21:11] system that goes beyond
[00:21:14] the promotional role to tracking the investor's
[00:21:18] journey and
[00:21:20] investment opportunities to projects on the ground
[00:21:24] that are productive. Details
[00:21:27] regarding this hall and its most prominent
[00:21:30] goals and aspirations,
[00:21:33] and other aspects related to investment in the Sultanate of Oman.
[00:21:38] host in the studio Mr.
[00:21:42] Omar bin Abdulrahman Al-Harthi, Senior Investment Analyst
[00:21:45] at "Invest in Oman" at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment
[00:21:49] Promotion. Mr. Omar, we are delighted to have you with us today on the "Min Oman" program. Good evening.
[00:21:53] Good evening, brother Saif. Thank you very much, and we are happy to be with you today
[00:21:56] on the "Min Oman" program. Welcome. Mr. Omar,
[00:22:00] data indicates the localization of approximately
[00:22:03] 46 investment projects with a total
[00:22:06] value of about 3.09 billion
[00:22:10] Omani riyals during the period from March 2023
[00:22:13] to August 2026, in
[00:22:17] addition to, of course, a portfolio of active
[00:22:21] investment projects in several fields.
[00:22:24] How can we begin to interpret all
[00:22:28] these numbers and all these
[00:22:31] indicators? Thank you very much again for the invitation,
[00:22:34] and on the occasion of the upcoming National Day, we extend our warmest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty
[00:22:38] Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, may Allah protect him, and we pray to Allah Almighty to
[00:22:42] grant him abundant health and well-being, and to bless Oman with the blessing of
[00:22:45] security, safety, and stability. Of course, the "Invest
[00:22:48] in Oman" hall began its operational activities in
[00:22:52] February 2023
[00:22:54] to be the primary platform, interface,
[00:22:57] and official destination for receiving investment
[00:23:00] applications, especially those not less than
[00:23:04] one million Omani riyals. Of course, the hall
[00:23:07] is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion,
[00:23:11] and of course, it consists of several teams. All these teams
[00:23:14] work like a beehive to attract these
[00:23:17] investments, as you mentioned, and transform them from just promotion
[00:23:20] to implementation. Of course, if we look at the report
[00:23:24] you mentioned, brother Saif, we are talking today about the "Invest in
[00:23:27] Oman" hall receiving 96 investment applications since its establishment.
[00:23:30] We are talking today about 50 applications out of 96.
[00:23:34] These are the active applications. When we talk today
[00:23:37] about what is the nature of these - what is meant, in fact,
[00:23:41] by active applications - we are talking about an investor
[00:23:44] who has started his investment journey.
[00:23:47] looking for a local partner. It could be from the public
[00:23:51] sector or from the private sector. He went to the "Invest in Oman" hall website, found
[00:23:54] the investment opportunity that suited him, started talking to investor
[00:23:58] relations managers within "Invest in Oman," started reading about
[00:24:01] regulations, legislation, and laws, took steps to even
[00:24:04] open his commercial registration, started understanding components that
[00:24:08] may be licenses, activities, the mechanism
[00:24:11] of working on them, understanding the sector, and also started meeting many
[00:24:15] other investors and government entities. This is regarding active
[00:24:19] projects.
[00:24:26] Excellent, but what is the difference between it and also localized
[00:24:29] projects? What
[00:24:32] project goes through until it reaches the stage of localization? Of course, the
[00:24:36] most important thing is always the localization number that everyone always asks about. Of course, we
[00:24:39] are talking today about 46 out of 96 projects
[00:24:43] that have been localized. Yes, what is meant by localization here is that if the project
[00:24:46] was industrial, then this project has started its operational activities, has entered
[00:24:50] into implementation, has started approximate operational activities, has started
[00:24:53] its shipments, whether they were local shipments or exports
[00:24:57] to Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Some have started trial shipments
[00:25:00] to the United States of America, India, some
[00:25:04] East African countries, China, and Singapore. Of course, taking advantage
[00:25:08] of the region, what Oman offers as a strategic
[00:25:11] location, in addition to the integrated logistical
[00:25:14] connectivity available in the Sultanate of Oman. This is regarding
[00:25:18] the industrial sectors. We consider it localized
[00:25:22] if it has actually started its operational activities or has started
[00:25:25] excavation and entered its construction and building
[00:25:28] stages. As you know, and it is no secret to anyone, some warehouses, some stores, some
[00:25:32] factories have very international standards
[00:25:36] no less than 12 months to 36 months to be completed and built. But
[00:25:40] we register them as localized because he opened his commercial registration, deposited
[00:25:43] the amount he wished to invest in, and
[00:25:47] began to be considered as having started effectively, meaning he chose the land and started operating
[00:25:51] on it. Well, the question about non-industrial projects. For non-industrial projects,
[00:25:54] we are talking about an investor who has started the procedures for providing
[00:25:58] services, whether they are logistical services, digital services, technical services. In aquaculture
[00:26:10] or in the fisheries sector in general or the agricultural sector,
[00:26:13] he has started the process of cultivation, harvesting, packaging, shipping,
[00:26:17] and exporting. This is what is meant by localization and activity.
[00:26:20] Excellent. In another context, Mr. Omar, in the same vein,
[00:26:24] we are talking today about the "Invest in Oman" hall. We all know
[00:26:28] its relentless efforts to attract and
[00:26:31] target global companies and to develop
[00:26:36] priority sectors. My question here
[00:26:40] is, how are the targeted markets and companies identified,
[00:26:43] and what are the most prominent tools or techniques
[00:26:46] used, essentially, to reach
[00:26:49] these companies and investors in general?
[00:26:53] Of course, in January 2024, the "Invest
[00:26:56] in Oman" hall launched a team called the Company Targeting Team or Business
[00:27:00] Development Team. Excellent. This team strives to reach all global markets
[00:27:03] based on specific methodologies. Of course,
[00:27:06] the team seeks to reach, as you mentioned, companies
[00:27:10] that have - there are three basic factors and basic methodologies
[00:27:13] that the team follows. First, of course, is the economic,
[00:27:17] social, and environmental impact. When
[00:27:20] team always strives to attract companies that
[00:27:23] can generate greater employment opportunities for
[00:27:26] Omanis. They can also stimulate the economic
[00:27:30] landscape of the country. When we talk about the impact, you know, Saif, you
[00:27:33] have seen many foreign companies present in Oman for a long time
[00:27:37] offering programs in social responsibility, offering programs in training, qualification,
[00:27:41] and education. So we always look for those companies that will be
[00:27:45] partners with us, not just for one or two years, but for more than 50
[00:27:48] years. When we also talk about one of the other factors in the selection mechanism
[00:27:52] of these companies, the environmental impact, of course, when we talk about
[00:27:55] the environmental impact, we are talking about the positive environmental impact. Do these
[00:27:57] companies use clean energy, alternative energy, or
[00:28:01] the energy as a primary input in production operations, or
[00:28:05] do they use energy that emits carbon dioxide? You know, in parallel
[00:28:09] with the Net Zero
[00:28:12] 2050 plan, we will try as much as possible for these companies
[00:28:16] to operate on clean energy. Of course, there is another
[00:28:19] factor, which is industrial linkage or economic complexity. Of course, we
[00:28:23] believe internally at "Invest in Oman" that the national
[00:28:26] economy develops with factories entering
[00:28:29] into contact with each other, with buyers and sellers. Also present in
[00:28:33] one market. So if the raw mining material, for example,
[00:28:37] is available in Oman, the team seeks to
[00:28:40] reach companies that can buy raw materials from Oman
[00:28:44] and manufacture and export them. If they are, for example, petrochemical
[00:28:47] materials, then also how We can reach the
[00:28:51] middle and lower part. It is a well-known methodology, upstream, midstream, and then downstream.
[00:28:55] Yes, when you talk about these factors that the platform relies on
[00:28:58] in developing and selecting investment opportunities, we all know
[00:29:02] that the past years have witnessed the attraction of many
[00:29:06] major investment projects, let's say, among them green steel projects, solar
[00:29:09] energy, and also
[00:29:13] the manufacturing of anode materials. To what extent
[00:29:16] do these projects also contribute to technology transfer
[00:29:19] and providing job opportunities for Omani youth,
[00:29:22] as well as enhancing the Omani
[00:29:26] national local content? In fact, the hall
[00:29:30] was enabled to be more than just one station. Yes, it was enabled
[00:29:33] by the National Negotiation Team, and this team is the team concerned
[00:29:36] with negotiating on behalf of the government with the investor and on behalf of the investor with
[00:29:40] the government. It is like a balance with two pans.
[00:29:43] It sees what the national interests are. We are talking today about
[00:29:46] the Sultanate of Oman offering energy at competitive prices, offering
[00:29:49] land at competitive prices as well. In return, what the investor
[00:29:53] can offer to the Sultanate of Oman also, whether it is in generating job opportunities,
[00:29:57] stimulating small and medium enterprises. So this team ensures
[00:30:00] that Omani
[00:30:02] resources are used in their proper place, but at the same
[00:30:06] time, it provides incentives and advantages that encourage investors
[00:30:09] to invest in the Sultanate of Oman. So this mechanism and this methodology help us
[00:30:13] also in enhancing local content. There is a national matrix, in fact,
[00:30:17] the team is composed of legal experts, financial experts,
[00:30:21] project managers who work continuously
[00:30:23] to reach the best, as you say, commercial
[00:30:27] offer that serves both parties. But what are the most prominent advantages
[00:30:31] offered to foreign investors if we quickly and briefly
[00:30:34] talk about them for the dear viewer
[00:30:38] as information? Without a doubt, of course, we have economic zones and free zones
[00:30:42] today, and Omani ports, and the logistical
[00:30:45] recently. You have seen the efforts that are being made, in fact, in these
[00:30:50] the region. Therefore, many investors, of course, and the advantages that
[00:30:54] we offer them, of course, competitive land and land prices, in addition to