Google Cloud Speech-to-Text API (Chirp) + Gemini 2.5 Flash Non-Thinking. Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a quotation record.
00:00:00In the Sultanate of Oman, we must study these matters. I believe
00:00:04that facilities are an important factor, and incentives
00:00:07are also an important factor. If facilities are found, and
00:00:10incentives are found, and stability is found,
00:00:13economic stability and security stability in
00:00:17the Sultanate, then this is a very important incentive
00:00:21to attract many
00:00:23investors. Because many investors, before coming
00:00:27to the Sultanate, look for the
00:00:30laws in the Sultanate, whether
00:00:33labor laws, yes, or trade laws, or
00:00:37tax laws.
00:00:40authorities, whether in Therefore, when the investor comes, he also makes comparisons between
00:00:44what is available in Oman and how
00:00:47he is dealt with, and how we can get returns,
00:00:50as well as what is available in other
00:00:53countries. So they make comparisons, and if they find that
00:00:58and other things are being hit Omani laws for investments are better,
00:01:01and the existing stability and the strategic location of the Sultanate,
00:01:06that are based on of course, they will prefer to come
00:01:08based on to the Sultanate of Oman. In your opinion, does the instability of immediate decisions that come out
00:01:11from time to time,
00:01:14can international partnerships be built in this and their instability in different aspects, affect the investor's decision? Absolutely,
00:01:18100%. If we make a decision today, and
00:01:22after a month or two, this decision changes to another decision,
00:01:26I believe
00:01:28So we focus on them in that this creates a lack of trust. The investor feels
00:01:31that there is a lack of trust. So I hope that
00:01:34decisions, even in the labor sector, decisions should be well-studied
00:01:38so that they do not affect or become
00:01:41an obstacle to foreign or external
00:01:44investments, and even to
00:01:47looking for Omani investments. That is, there must be
00:01:51clear and stable data,
00:01:55so that the investor comes with
00:01:58full confidence that I will achieve returns
00:02:01and profits when I go to the Sultanate of Oman. Well,
00:02:05oil and gas accounted for the largest share of investment
00:02:08means they can list themselves in the Sultanate of Oman. What are the non-oil
00:02:11sectors that can,
00:02:14let's say, make economic diplomacy more
00:02:18effective? Well, the vital sectors that I think
00:02:22are also very important in
00:02:25and how many citizens Oman are the tourism sector. The tourism sector
00:02:27is one because the Sultanate has natural
00:02:31resources, and also its proximity to global
00:02:34markets. That is,
00:02:36and the stability in the Sultanate, all of these
00:02:40investing in are indicators that the tourism sector should be greatly
00:02:44enhanced and invested in in order
00:02:47to also be a source
00:02:50of employment
00:02:51were almost 15% of for Omanis, 72% of for job seekers,
00:02:54to get job opportunities. That is, if I do a tourism
00:02:57project, even if it costs a lot of money,
00:03:00yes, I have a credit in investment
00:03:03to employ Omanis.
00:03:07The other sector that could also
00:03:10be important in Oman is agriculture,
00:03:13but in a modern way, with modern
00:03:16technologies. You have
00:03:18contributes to also the fisheries sector, fishing is also
00:03:23encouraged the entry of all very important. The manufacturing sector, minerals,
00:03:27and individuals into mining, all of these are vital sectors.
00:03:27a citizen works in Thank God, Oman is rich in resources. There are many
00:03:30resources in the field of mining. So it is true that, thank God,
00:03:33we are working on it, but we must
00:03:36also research and constantly evaluate
00:03:40the work so that we can correct errors
00:03:43this week in the Muscat Stock in, for example, benefiting from the mining sector. Well,
00:03:47prices today, some people look buyers in and say, I
00:03:50think there is interest, of course,
00:03:53Institutions usually look at in attracting capital,
00:03:54and guarantee your right to and investors who own capital. But on the other hand, they say
00:03:56that there is interest in the type of investor.
00:04:00There are those who look for investors who bring
00:04:02technical expertise, knowledge, international
00:04:06relations networks. So between the investor who owns capital,
00:04:10and the investor who
00:04:14which boosted brings expertise, knowledge, technology, and so on, and international relations networks,
00:04:18how can we open up opportunities in this
00:04:21regard for Omani companies, and
00:04:24who should we focus on, Sheikh
00:04:27Hilal? Well, you see, sometimes investment
00:04:30starts with
00:04:32Oman would enter even small companies, but they have
00:04:35the drive or the motivation to achieve results.
00:04:39Therefore, we must pay attention to all
00:04:41might create many opportunities segments, especially those who want to invest in the country,
00:04:44provided that there is an evaluation of these
00:04:46week. Indeed, as you mentioned, this institutions. That is, for example, I have
00:04:49a preference. Sometimes a company comes with experience, with
00:04:53in some embassies around capital, of course, it possesses technology, I give it
00:04:57priority. But I also do not forget others. I give them
00:05:00opportunities. Therefore, we must also
00:05:04have, as you say, a study of all these matters
00:05:07and benefit from everyone. Yes. Well, what is required
00:05:10today from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, from businessmen,
00:05:14from joint business councils,
00:05:17that is, in making economic
00:05:20diplomacy successful, Sheikh Hilal? As I mentioned,
00:05:24there must be complete coordination between the Chamber and the Businessmen's Council,
00:05:28and there should be
00:05:30coordination, whether with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
00:05:33or with the Investment Authority, or,
00:05:37that is, if there is coordination, I think there are many
00:05:40opportunities that embassies offer. I am sure that
00:05:44embassies offer some projects, but sometimes
00:05:47they do not find the necessary attention from the concerned
00:05:52the Chamber or elsewhere. So I think there should be great
00:05:55attention, or there should be a specialized unit that follows
00:05:59up on such matters. That is, if people come
00:06:03and want to invest in existing opportunities,
00:06:06there should be close follow-up and evaluation, and why, for example,
00:06:10this opportunity was not exploited. What is the reason? Yes.
00:06:14Well, the Sultanate of Oman always seeks to develop sectors
00:06:18knowledge and also
00:06:20technology, especially in these
00:06:23two areas, Sheikh Hilal. How
00:06:27regard, so that they also provide job
00:06:30opportunities for Omani
00:06:32citizens? Since we have investments,
00:06:36we have two types of investments. We have foreign investments
00:06:40amounting to 31 billion.
00:06:42And we have investments from the Investment Authority
00:06:46also amounting to 23 billion. So if we add these up, mashallah,
00:06:50it's a large amount, it comes to about 54
00:06:52billion. So, therefore, I think that here
00:06:55transferring knowledge and transferring
00:06:58technology and training young people through these
00:07:01investments will also
00:07:04provide us with an economic aspect or an economic
00:07:07resource. So if Omanis are trained or if
00:07:11Omanis work, then you also
00:07:14have a return, whether financial or
00:07:17economic, because I don't just rely on saying, "Oh, I got
00:07:21in this year a financial
00:07:23income increased, and the profit
00:07:27rate was, for example, 9% or 10%." I don't look
00:07:30at just this number. I must also look at how many
00:07:34citizens worked and how many benefited
00:07:37were trained, and what are the returns I got from knowledge
00:07:41and technology for the country? This is also an investment.
00:07:44So I think that if there was, for example,
00:07:47you could say, a specific fund through
00:07:51investments, human resources.
00:07:55That is, for example, if it starts with one and a half billion or
00:07:57two billion, but it would be over several years.
00:08:01I mean, I will have
00:08:04huge jobs and I can
00:08:06solve or solve the larger part of the issue of job seekers.
00:08:10That is, if I employ Omar, he is an economic
00:08:13resource. Yes, even if it's not viewed now as a percentage that
00:08:17I, well, got 8% or 9%,
00:08:21but the economic return for
00:08:24this individual or this group that
00:08:26worked contributes with its work,
00:08:31the national economy, contributes effectively.
00:08:35Here also, every time
00:08:40the private sector or the public sector, who benefits?
00:08:43Also, for example, the Social
00:08:46Protection Agency benefits because
00:08:50this will also contribute
00:08:53an amount. Therefore, the amounts contributed
00:08:56for social protection also have an economic return.
00:08:59Also, the market will move, the wheel
00:09:03will move, excellent. Purchasing power will also move.
00:09:07Therefore, I don't see employing Omanis as an economic burden.
00:09:10No, employing Omanis
00:09:13has an indirect and direct economic return at the same
00:09:16time. That is, let's say, even in terms of
00:09:19investments, the type of investments in bringing
00:09:23technologies and bringing knowledge and linking it also
00:09:26with, I mean, global networks
00:09:29and research, etc., this should also be looked at
00:09:32in this aspect. And economic diplomacy is not just focusing on attracting
00:09:36money, because today an investor may not bring
00:09:39all the capital, he might finance part of it, and part of it
00:09:43he might bring at the same time. But bringing knowledge
00:09:47and technology, and linking it also with research
00:09:50and development centers, etc., this
00:09:54in this aspect. Excellent, 100% correct. I mean, you see,
00:09:58now we don't just say, "Well, let's go for a specific
00:10:01project." We must also focus, and there are units
00:10:06the world that have specific units only
00:10:09to follow up on research and follow up on innovations.
00:10:13I mean, it doesn't mean that I just bring a project and say it's such
00:10:17and such. No, we must also search for
00:10:19opportunities available in the field of scientific research,
00:10:23as well as in the field of innovation.
00:10:25Because these feed the Omani market
00:10:28with expertise and feed it with good
00:10:30information and advanced
00:10:33information. Therefore, we also
00:10:37benefit from this matter. So focusing on technology
00:10:40and on innovations should also be among the concerns
00:10:44of embassies. Well, the Sultanate of Oman enjoys
00:10:48very extensive foreign political relations,
00:10:51and historical ones at the same time, Sheikh Hilal.
00:10:55And at the same time, it possesses capabilities, a strategic
00:10:58location, ports, and road networks,
00:11:02in addition to airports and a large logistical infrastructure.
00:11:06So how can these two files also
00:11:09be utilized to create
00:11:12an economic return or benefit
00:11:16for the Sultanate of Oman, especially at a time
00:11:20when supply chains
00:11:23in the world? Look, Oman has strength, as
00:11:27you mentioned. This gives Oman an economic advantage
00:11:30and strength. Therefore, utilizing these resources
00:11:33- I mean the location, the location is an economic resource
00:11:37as well. All the locations in the Sultanate are economic resources, from its north to
00:11:40its south. Therefore, we must benefit from these things.
00:11:44Also, the components,
00:11:47there are vital components and resources available in the Sultanate
00:11:50that all countries in the world need.
00:11:53the sector. The terrain in
00:11:57Oman, mashallah, you are open to
00:12:01seas, open to oceans,
00:12:04the Strait of Hormuz, all of these are factors of strength for the Sultanate,
00:12:06and also for attracting capital, because
00:12:10people are now an open
00:12:14field, and Oman, thank God, has open fields
00:12:17wherever you go in Oman, there are resources, thank
00:12:21God. How do we look at the issue of benefiting
00:12:25and investing in the human element in particular,
00:12:28in the Sultanate of Oman? Well, I think that the human
00:12:32element is a priority. I mean, I say it's an absolute
00:12:35priority, because what is the human element? It is the driver
00:12:39of everything. It is the driver of development, and the driver
00:12:42of the economy. It is also the driver
00:12:45of the Omani market itself. That is, the more
00:12:49resources are made available for the human
00:12:51element, the more good returns you will get. And
00:12:55it is an investment. For example, I am talking about the human
00:12:58element being an investment. So, as I mentioned, if
00:13:02we now have, mashallah, large investments,
00:13:05there should be for example,
00:13:08a human resources
00:13:11fund so that it creates investment
00:13:14opportunities for the Omani citizen. Thank
00:13:18you very much, retired Ambassador Sheikh Hilal bin Marhoon Al Maamari, for being
00:13:21with us on the "Indicators" program and talking about economic
00:13:25diplomacy. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
00:13:28So, dear viewers, we will stay with this
00:13:31segment, then with the Muscat Stock Exchange.
00:13:49Welcome back, an exceptional week at the Muscat Stock Exchange. The main
00:13:52index jumps 233
00:13:55points, recording its best level in five months. Market
00:13:59value adds more than 640 million
00:14:02Omani rials, and liquidity rises by about
00:14:0458%.
00:14:07And in a remarkable timing, the Muscat Stock Exchange enters the FTSE
00:14:11watch list, in a move that may pave the way for its upgrade to the emerging
00:14:14markets category. What could this
00:14:18step mean for the future of foreign investment in the Muscat Stock Exchange?
00:14:22Let's start with the stock exchange in one minute.
00:14:26The main index of the Muscat Stock Exchange rose
00:14:28233 points to close at
00:14:327832
00:14:35points, recording its best level in five months.
00:14:38The gains extended to all sectoral
00:14:42indices, as the financial sector led the gains,
00:14:45adding 317
00:14:48points. The industrial sector rose
00:14:50152
00:14:53points, and the services sector rose
00:14:55by about 87
00:14:59points, while the Sharia index added 15 points.
00:15:03As for market value, it achieved gains of
00:15:06640 million and 600 thousand
00:15:09Omani rials, reaching 49
00:15:12billion
00:15:15and 890.8 million Omani
00:15:17rials. 58% is the percentage increase in the value
00:15:21of trading on the Muscat Stock Exchange last week. Trading
00:15:25jumped to more than 417
00:15:29million Omani rials, compared to about
00:15:322136 million rials in the previous
00:15:35week. In the same direction, the number of executed
00:15:39deals increased by 27%,
00:15:42exceeding 60 thousand deals. Here,
00:15:45the picture differs from previous weeks, as this time,
00:15:49the trading value and the number of deals increased
00:15:52simultaneously with the rise of the main index.
00:15:56The gains of the week were not driven by the movement of one
00:15:59index. Trading data showed interest from
00:16:02local investment institutions and individual Omani
00:16:06investors in buying. The increases extended
00:16:09to 55 securities, compared to a decline
00:16:13of 21 securities and the stability
00:16:16of 26 securities. This time, the movement
00:16:20of the index is consistent with the expansion of the circle of winning
00:16:23securities. Liquidity strongly flowed into leading
00:16:26stocks, primarily banks and OQ Group
00:16:30companies. Bank Muscat led trading with approximately
00:16:3484 million Omani Rials,
00:16:37accounting for more than 20% of the total
00:16:41trading value. It was followed by Sohar International Bank with trading
00:16:45amounting to approximately 81 million Omani Rials, then
00:16:48OQ Basic Industries with more than
00:16:5154 million Omani Rials, and OQ
00:16:54Exploration and Production with approximately 52
00:16:58million Omani Rials, and Omantel with trading
00:17:02close to 50 million Omani Rials.
00:17:05Gains were not limited to leading stocks, as the share
00:17:09of Asyad Shipping led the winning stocks
00:17:12with an increase of
00:17:1411.4%,
00:17:17closing at 233
00:17:20baisas. The share of Al Madina Investment Holding
00:17:24rose by 10.3%,
00:17:27and the share of Oman Fisheries Company rose by
00:17:309.5%.
00:17:32In contrast, the share of Oman Arab Bank
00:17:36declined by three
00:17:40percent, while the share of Al Anka Energy decreased by about
00:17:427.4%.
00:17:45In company news, the Ordinary General Assembly of Al Anka
00:17:49Energy Company approved the distribution of cash dividends of
00:17:53118 baisas per share from retained
00:17:56earnings. As for Takaful Oman Insurance,
00:17:59it announced its board of directors' decision to increase
00:18:03the issued and paid-up capital from 16 million Omani
00:18:06Rials to 25 million
00:18:09Rials through the issuance of rights shares worth
00:18:129 million Omani Rials
00:18:15after completing the required approvals. Between cash
00:18:18distributions and capital increases, companies'
00:18:21options vary in managing their resources and meeting
00:18:25the requirements of the upcoming stage.
00:18:28Welcome back. This week,
00:18:42the trading landscape of the Muscat Stock Exchange
00:18:46changed. The main index recorded its best level in five
00:18:50months, and all sectors achieved gains.
00:18:53An important development may open new horizons for
00:18:56the stock exchange, with its entry into the FTSE watch
00:18:59list. So what does the Muscat Stock Exchange need to turn
00:19:03promotion opportunities into sustainable gains? We discuss these developments
00:19:08with Ammar bin Mousa Al Lawati, CEO of Al Ru'ya Capital.
00:19:11Welcome, Mr. Ammar. So, Mr. Ammar, the main index achieved its
00:19:15best level in five months, and liquidity increased. What changed
00:19:20Exchange for us to see this simultaneous boom in
00:19:24and trading? From my point of view, I think one of the things that happened differently
00:19:28at the beginning of last
00:19:32week was the way the liquidity fund
00:19:35traded. The way we saw it
00:19:39two or three months ago, last week
00:19:42we saw a radical change that helped
00:19:46small investors enter
00:19:49the market positively, the trading
00:19:53value. Sentiment
00:19:57started to change. Besides
00:19:59that, many investors were waiting
00:20:03for the FTSE report. They were very
00:20:06optimistic that, God willing,
00:20:10the watch list. So I think all these things contributed positively
00:20:13to the entry of investors, and the change that came from
00:20:17the fund was very positive
00:20:20for the market last
00:20:24rise coincided with the Muscat Stock Exchange entering
00:20:27the watch list. How can we measure the impact of expectations
00:20:31related to the potential upgrade on stimulating
00:20:35investors? Indeed, one of the things we must mention is that we are still
00:20:38on the watch list. The upgrade has not
00:20:41happened yet. So what will happen, as
00:20:44happened last week, of course, optimism was present from the report
00:20:48that, God willing, Oman would enter the watch list. So there was
00:20:52a very positive entry of small investors
00:20:55and institutional investors in Oman.
00:20:59The market is still, as we call it, the backbone
00:21:02is still Omani investors. There was a positive
00:21:05Gulf entry, but
00:21:08we haven't seen that momentum yet. Usually, global
00:21:12investment funds take time to enter.
00:21:15They study the matter, and there are two types
00:21:18of funds, of course. What we call the
00:21:21active, what is it called, the active one, usually it
00:21:24enters first, and then we see the passive one, which looks
00:21:28at the long-term.
00:21:32So far, we haven't seen these funds moving, of course.
00:21:35They take their time to study Omani
00:21:39companies. But the positive thing now
00:21:42is that Oman is already on their watch list. They will still
00:21:46look at it and evaluate our companies.
00:21:50Practically and simply, what does the inclusion of the Muscat
00:21:53Stock Exchange in the watch list mean,
00:21:56and what are the main criteria that must be met before achieving
00:21:59the actual upgrade? Well, there are nine basic criteria that
00:22:03the Muscat Stock Exchange, thank God, has met,
00:22:06other than liquidity, free float,
00:22:09and the number of companies that can enter FTSE.
00:22:12Thank God, we have met all these criteria,
00:22:16but we must, of course, complete
00:22:20meeting them by the end of the year, and all
00:22:23free float companies must be present. Liquidity
00:22:27must be
00:22:29available. So, of course, it would be a very
00:22:33positive thing if we could attract, God willing,
00:22:35foreign funds that usually
00:22:39look at the market for the long term rather than the
00:22:42short term. And consequently, it will motivate Omani
00:22:46companies and institutions, especially family and other
00:22:50institutions, when they see the
00:22:53difference that the entry of these capitals into the market
00:22:58in the market in the future. Returning to reading the weekly report for last
00:23:01week for the Muscat Stock Exchange, local investment institutions and individual
00:23:05Omani investors were among the most prominent investors
00:23:08or buyers during the week. Do you think this demand actually
00:23:12reflects the building of medium-to-long-term investment positions, or
00:23:16is it still linked to benefiting from the current momentum? Of course,
00:23:20we usually cannot take a weekly
00:23:23report as an indication that it will be the performance, God willing.
00:23:27الله
00:23:30So, as you mentioned, foreign investors and Omani investors
00:23:34still play a big role. Institutional investors were almost
00:23:38the market, and individuals
00:23:41the market. So 90% are still almost local
00:23:44institutions. Of course, what
00:23:48we saw was the entry
00:23:50of individual investors after this change
00:23:54in fund investments.
00:23:56الصندوق
00:23:58I think the main reason, as you mentioned, is that they might
00:24:02look at the expected third-quarter results,
00:24:05the possibility of Oman entering
00:24:08the watch list. So this
00:24:13these institutions
00:24:17the Omani market.
00:24:21However, according to the indicators, individuals were net
00:24:25sellers, so the net selling by Omani
00:24:29individuals was around 5%. What was distinctive
00:24:32was that Gulf nationals were net
00:24:36the market, so they almost absorbed the selling
00:24:39by Omani individuals.
00:24:43the medium to long term, while individuals
00:24:45are usually short to medium
00:24:49term. So thank you very much to Mr. Ammar bin Mousa Al Lawati, CEO
00:24:52of Al Ru'ya Capital. Thank you very much, Mr. Ammar. Thank
00:24:56you. So, dear viewers, a week that brought momentum back to the Muscat
00:25:00Stock Exchange. The main index is at its best level in five
00:25:04months, and liquidity exceeds 400 million
00:25:07Omani Rials, and gains extend to all
00:25:10sectors. The most prominent event is the inclusion of the Muscat Stock
00:25:13Exchange in the FTSE watch list, opening a new
00:25:16phase of evaluation and presenting it with an opportunity to enhance
00:25:20its presence in international investment. And with this opportunity,
00:25:24the question for the next stage arises: Can the stock exchange convert the current
00:25:27momentum into sustainable growth that is accompanied by an expanded
00:25:31investor base and increased attractiveness of listed
00:25:34companies? Next week, we will monitor company
00:25:37results, liquidity movement, and the index's
00:25:40ability to maintain its gains, in addition
00:25:43to developments in the upgrade file. This was the Muscat Stock
00:25:46Exchange and what lies behind the numbers. See you again.
00:28:34We have reached the end of this episode of the "Indicators"
00:28:37program. Thank you, and may Allah protect you.
00:30:15peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. From the News Center
00:30:18of Oman TV, we greet you and present to you the headlines
00:30:22of 9 PM.
00:30:26The Oman Electricity and Energy Conference discusses the development of electricity
00:30:29markets, strengthening supply and network security,
00:30:33and reviews the latest technologies in transmission, distribution,
00:30:36and smart grids.
00:30:41Signing of 33 development and investment contracts
00:30:45to develop infrastructure and support the local
00:30:48economy in Al Dakhiliyah
00:30:49Governorate.
00:30:55The International Microbiology Conference reviews at Sultan
00:30:58Qaboos University.