Plans underway for centralised used car market in Muscat
The workshop was attended by H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, with Majlis A'Shura members and representatives from Muscat Municipality, Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Interior and the General Administration of Customs. Stakeholders and representatives from used car dealerships across the country also participated.
Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at MoCIIP, said the sector makes a significant contribution to the national economy and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to regulating it and promoting a supportive business climate. She described the workshop as a platform to address challenges and find practical solutions.
Participants highlighted several key issues including the absence of a centralised location for dealership operations, which leads to fragmented services and higher costs. Other concerns included the need to better regulate non-Omani participation to protect local businesses, high rental fees, limited financing, costly customs clearance and the presence of unlicensed vendors.
Khazaen Economic City presented a proposal to develop a centrally located market for used vehicles in Muscat governorate. The project, currently under review, aims to bring all dealerships together in one integrated hub with dedicated facilities and services.
Mansour bin Khalifa al Siyabi, Majlis A'Shura member from Bausher, welcomed MoCIIP's dialogue with stakeholders on the matter and suggested offering financial incentives to help dealerships move to the new site. He proposed forming a closed joint-stock company owned by dealers to manage the market and ensure sustainable operations and fair rents.
Providing details of the planned central car market, Salim bin Sulaiman al Thuhli, CEO of Khazaen Economic City, said it would cover 500,000sqm and include showrooms for new and used cars, inspection and maintenance centres, insurance and registration services, auction facilities and various amenities such as banks, restaurants, fuel stations and parking.
Thuhli said the project is designed to provide a one-stop hub for consumers and modern infrastructure for dealers, while supporting urban planning, simplifying government monitoring and generating reliable data for policymaking.
Ali bin Hamad al Maamari, Director of Licensing Department at MoCIIP, said the workshop was part of a wider strategy to improve Oman's business environment and that its recommendations would be submitted to relevant authorities for follow-up.
The workshop concluded with calls to commence work on the proposed central market and implement agreed measures to regulate the sector and facilitate a competitive, investor-friendly climate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
11 hours ago
- Observer
Creativity, culture a driver of transformation
Oman is increasingly recognising the vital role of creative and cultural industries in supporting the knowledge economy and driving sustainable national development. These sectors contribute significantly to the country's GDP, diversify income streams and reinforce cultural identity, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's focus on investing in heritage, culture and the arts. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the University of Nizwa's College of Arts and Sciences, highlighted that creative industries encompass innovation-driven sectors such as traditional crafts, visual arts, literature, music, cinema, design and digital media. 'Notable progress has been made in producing Omani daggers, silver jewellery, and traditional textiles, especially in Nizwa and Suhar,' he said. 'Additionally, graphic design and digital content are growing rapidly on social media platforms, and Omani cinema is gaining both local and international recognition.' Cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and the Muscat International Film Festival underscore the sector's contribution to strengthening national identity and boosting the economy. Dr Al Hinai emphasised that creative industries generate valuable employment for Omani youth, promote sustainable economic models, and enhance cultural tourism by linking heritage with modern industries. They also open avenues in the digital economy through e-platforms for global marketing at relatively low investment costs. Badriyah bint Mohammed al Fooriyah, Director of Entrepreneurship at Riyada, stressed the agency's commitment to empowering creative entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, incubation and financial support. Riyada fosters strategic partnerships with cultural and educational institutions to maximise investment in Omani intellectual heritage and create contemporary cultural content. 'Creative industries offer promising opportunities for income generation, job creation and competitiveness, provided they are supported by a strong legislative framework and skilled workforce,' she said. Murtadha bin Abdulkhaliq al Lawati, Director-General of the Museum of Place and People, praised Omani traditional industries as a rich civilisational legacy, combining functionality with artistic expression. He warned against innovation that erases the core identity of local crafts, advocating for the preservation of their cultural and economic values to sustain heritage and promote cultural tourism. Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi, owner of Manazil Inn in Nizwa, added that authentic restoration projects like preserving the Omani heritage without alteration, showcasing national identity and enhancing Oman's global cultural image. To develop creative industries amid digital transformation, experts call for specialised restoration professionals and collaborative efforts to use modern technologies for heritage documentation and promotion — ensuring Oman's culture remains a sustainable resource for future generations. — ONA
Muscat Daily
21 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Creative industries seen as bridge between Oman's past and future
Muscat – Creative and cultural industries are emerging as a key driver of Oman's economic diversification, with potential to link heritage with innovation and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nizwa, while giving a background, underlined that creative industries encompass sectors that 'rely on innovation and individual talent, and contribute to transforming ideas into products and services with an economic dimension'. These range from traditional crafts and fine arts to literature, publishing, music, cinema, design and digital media. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai 'I have witnessed significant development in the Omani dagger industry, silver jewellery and traditional weaving, particularly in the wilayats of Nizwa and Suhar,' Dr Hinai said. 'There is also strong growth in graphic design, digital content production and the Omani film industry, as well as cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and Muscat International Film Festival. This sector supports Omani identity and the local economy.' He added that the sector creates jobs in design, crafts and digital content while linking heritage with modern products to enhance cultural tourism. 'It offers high added value at relatively low investment costs and opens the door to global partnerships that showcase Omani culture.' For Badriya bint Mohammed al Fouriya, Director of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), the creative sector is also a platform for entrepreneurship. 'Riyada works to empower owners of creative ideas through training, technical guidance, incubation programmes and financing facilities,' she said. 'We also partner with cultural, educational and community institutions to invest in Omani intellectual heritage and produce renewed cultural content.' She stressed that the sector can increase competitiveness, generate income and create jobs if supported by the right legislative framework and skilled national talent. Murtadha bin Abdul Khaliq al Lawati, Director General of the Place and People Museum, underlined the cultural value of traditional crafts. 'Omani traditional industries go beyond function to become visual and cultural expressions of identity,' he said, adding that they have gained international admiration for their craftsmanship. While welcoming innovation, he warned against altering heritage products in ways that compromise authenticity. 'Industries linked to heritage symbols, such as the Omani dagger, should be preserved in their original form,' he said. In Nizwa, entrepreneur Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi's 'Nuzul al Manazel' project restores heritage houses using traditional materials and designs. 'We kept the original structure intact, highlighting the moral and cultural value of the place,' he said. 'Such projects promote Oman abroad as a country that values and protects its heritage.' Ambusaidi believes the creative sector can thrive if restoration specialists highlight the stories behind heritage sites and use modern technologies for documentation and promotion. 'Creative industries can connect past and present, strengthen cultural identity, and turn heritage into a sustainable cultural and economic resource,' he said.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Olive sector grows to 20,000 trees, 83 tonnes in annual yield
MUSCAT: Across the mountains, particularly in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the Western Hajar range, olive trees thrive in a revitalised agricultural landscape that reflects the nation's ambitious vision for food security and diversified income. The journey began in the 1990s with the introduction of 10,000 saplings from various cultivars. Some varieties quickly adapted to local conditions, laying the groundwork for olive farming as a promising sector. Today, success is not only in cultivation but also in production. In 2022, Oman produced over 83 tonnes of olives and 10,000 litres of olive oil. Yet, demand far outstrips supply, with more than 24,000 tonnes of olives imported between 2020 and 2022 — underscoring the need to boost local output. Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai Government bodies and institutions have supported farmers through free sapling distribution, training programmes and modern olive mills, increasing the number of trees to 20,000. Omani olive oil is now gaining regional and international recognition for its high quality and distinctive flavour. Sustainable growth, however, demands overcoming challenges — a mission championed by Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. His project identifies optimal cultivation areas based on climate and water resources, introduces high-yielding varieties, and promotes best practices in pruning, irrigation and fertilisation. Innovation is also driving the sector forward. By-products such as olive leaves and pomace, often discarded, are being explored for transformation into value-added nutritional and functional products. Research aims to enhance processing efficiency and create sustainable economic solutions for operational hurdles. These efforts form a clear road map — not just towards self-sufficiency, but towards positioning Oman as a significant player in the regional olive market. In doing so, Oman enhances food security and bolsters its economy by fostering an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector.
