National roadmap to drive Oman's circular economy transition
Ministry of Economy hosted the second workshop of the Circular Economy Gap Calculation Project on Monday to review initial results and consult stakeholders on the proposed strategy. The roadmap aims to serve as a guiding framework for policy integration and resource management in the coming decades.
The project also seeks to define a baseline for measuring the circular economy gap and comparing Oman's performance with international benchmarks. It will assess how far the country is from adopting a circular model and provide tools to measure the environmental and economic impacts of new policies, including the creation of green jobs.
H E Dr Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Undersecretary in Ministry of Economy, said the initiative is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. 'This national project will support sustainable, low-carbon development and create investment opportunities in renewable energy and the green economy.'
Ahmed bin Saeed al Siyabi, Director General of Economic Policies and Programmes at the ministry, said the workshop was designed to discuss early findings and showcase models for measuring the outcomes of circular economy strategies. He also highlighted training programmes and a proposed digital platform that will display project data and outcomes.
During the session, participants reviewed preliminary models and scenarios focused on the environmental and labour-market impacts of implementing circular economy practices. Group discussions were held to evaluate sector-specific strategies and refine the roadmap's policy recommendations.
The workshop was part of wider consultations with government entities, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society. The ministry is working with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah) and the Circle Economy Foundation to implement the project.
The project reflects Oman's broader ambition to shift away from traditional linear consumption patterns and meet its carbon neutrality target by 2050.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
5 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Dubai Police Promotes First-Ever Female Brigadier
In a history-making move, Dubai Police have promoted Colonel Samira Abdullah Al Ali to Brigadier, making her the first woman ever to earn this prestigious rank since the force was founded in 1956. It's a major moment for the UAE — and a massive win for women in uniform. Brigadier Al Ali currently heads the Insurance Department at Dubai Police, a field she helped shape from the ground up. She joined the force in 1994, after graduating with a degree in insurance from UAE University and briefly working in the private sector. 'It was a newspaper ad that led me to join the academy,' she recalled. 'During my training, retired Major General Jasim Belramitha learned of my academic and professional background in insurance and invited me to work in that field within Dubai Police, which was still in its infancy at the time.' From humble beginnings in a tiny office with just two colleagues, she built a full-fledged department by 2000. Today, that department oversees every aspect of insurance related to the police force's assets — from vehicles to living property — and remains the only one of its kind across UAE police agencies. Samira also broke barriers in the General Department of Transport and Rescue, leading a team where no woman had worked before. With over 31 years of service, she's racked up an impressive resume: 🔹 392 medals, badges, and certificates of appreciation 🔹 225 development proposals submitted 🔹 A Master's in Business Administration and a Diploma in IT 🔹 Numerous awards for innovation, including the 'SAND' and 'Safe Driving Stars' initiatives 'This promotion is a source of pride for every woman in Dubai Police,' she said. 'It's a testament to the organisation's dedication to granting women equal opportunities to lead and serve their country.' Al Ali also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his consistent support of women's empowerment in the UAE. Off-duty? She's also a mom — her son works in chemical engineering — and credits discipline and commitment for helping her balance it all. 'With faith and effort, everything is possible,' she says — and her story proves it.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Stc Group achieved a net profit of one million riyals, a 13.38% increase for the six-month period compared to the same period last year
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - stc today announced the company's preliminary financial results for the period ending at 30 June 2025: Revenues for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 38,660 million with an increase of 2.09% as compared to the comparable period last year. Gross Profit for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 18,658 million with an increase of 6.61% as compared to the comparable period last year. Operating Profit for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 7,207 million with an increase of 2.28% as compared to the comparable period last year. Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Zakat, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 12,289 million with an increase of 6.10% as compared to the comparable period last year. Net Profit for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 7,472 million with an increase of 13.38% as compared to the comparable period last year. stc distributes 0.55 per share for the 2nd quarter of 2025, in accordance with the dividends distribution policy approved by General Assembly. Commenting on the results, Eng. Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc Group, stated that the Group continued to deliver excellent performance through its commitment to its strategy and success in capitalizing on available opportunities within the ICT sector. He pointed out that the focus on financial discipline and improving the efficiency of capital management were key factors in supporting business stability, enhancing the Group's readiness to adapt to changes, and expanding into future growth avenues with confidence and sustainability. This was reflected in the Group's financial performance, as stc achieved revenue growth of 2.1% during the first six months of the year, and an increase in gross profit by 6.6%, compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the Cost Efficiency Program contributed effectively to enhancing operational and financial efficiency, which positively impacted the company's performance, resulting in EBITDA growth of 6.1% with an increase in EBITDA margin by 3.9% to reach 31.8%, which in turn led to a notable increase in net profit by 13.4%, reaching 7.5 billion. The GCEO also emphasized that the growing demand for the Group's services is a testament to the community's trust in the efficiency of its digital solutions. This was demonstrated by the number of STC Bank customers surpassing three million within a short period since its launch at the beginning of 2025, reflecting the accelerated growth in the adoption of digital banking services and embodying the Group's growing role in developing the financial services sector. Furthermore, the GCEO praised the tremendous efforts made by the Kingdom to provide a safe and comfortable environment for pilgrims and its continuous dedication to facilitating Hajj rituals and enhancing the quality of services provided to pilgrims. He also affirmed stc Group's dedication to contributing to the success of the Hajj season through the deployment of the latest technologies and digital solutions, including advanced AI solutions, which the Group implemented to boost network efficiency within the holy sites. During the season, the Group provided record internet speeds serving more than 1.6 million pilgrims and provided services to 1.49 million stc network users, which led to exceptional results, as stc's network recorded the highest traffic hour in its history in Muzdalifah, with a 64% increase in data usage and a 129% surge in 5G network traffic compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the user experience index rose by 25%, underscoring the network's ability to support one of the world's most significant mass crowd movements. As part of its efforts to expand coverage and provide high-speed connectivity in both urban and remote areas to bridge the digital divide and ensure the delivery of reliable high-quality communication services, stc's 5G network now covers more than 9,500 sites across the Kingdom. The Group has also continued to enhance its network technically by activating the low-frequency spectrum (600 MHz – N71) recently acquired, becoming the first operator in the region to activate this band commercially. This enables users in peripheral areas to access advanced communication services and high-speed connections, thanks to its superior coverage and penetration capabilities. In addition, stc has adopted the 5G standalone technology, which allows full utilization of advanced 5G features such as reduced latency and customized service quality through network slicing. This marks a pivotal step in enabling many vital sectors and strengthening the Kingdom's position in adopting and developing cutting-edge global technologies. In line with its commitment to maintaining its leadership in the fields of telecommunications and information technology, stc Group signed several strategic agreements over the past period. In the field of cloud computing, the Group signed a partnership agreement with Oracle for a value of more than 2 billion, aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the Kingdom, through the development of advanced AI-powered cloud infrastructure and the provision of sovereign cloud solutions via the Oracle Alloy platform, hosted at center3's data centers. Additionally, stc signed a strategic partnership with Singtel Group to collaborate across several areas, including digital platform integration, developing human capabilities, IoT solutions and expansion of subsea cable systems. These partnerships contribute to strengthening stc's position as a comprehensive digital provider across the region. Finally, stc Group released its sixth Sustainability Report for the year 2024, which showcases the progress made across sustainability, environmental and social responsibility, and governance. The report also highlights the Group's efforts to enhance environmental performance and human capital development through digital innovation and upholding the principles of effective governance and ethical excellence. In recognition of these efforts, stc's ESG rating was upgraded from 'BBB' to 'A' in the latest MSCI ratings, reflecting the Group's commitment to adopting the highest local and international sustainability standards and practices. These initiatives reaffirm the Group's role as a key enabler of the national economy by supporting job creation, business growth, talent and skill enhancement, community well-being and the advancement of digital infrastructure. stc Group remains committed to advancing its sustainability efforts and continuing to maximize its positive impact on society, the environment and the economy by adopting sustainability principles across its various business areas.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Gulf Craft becomes first MENA shipyard to accept regulated crypto-to-fiat payments
Dubai, UAE – Gulf Craft now offers a fully regulated crypto-payment solution for yacht and leisure craft purchases, service and refit works, reinforcing both the shipyard's appetite for innovation and the UAE's growing stature as a global hub for digital assets. 'By integrating ARP Pay, Gulf Craft not only meets evolving client preferences but also strengthens the UAE's reputation for forward-looking manufacturing and financial innovation,' says Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman, Gulf Craft. 'The UAE was built on maritime trade and early adoption of new ideas. Embracing regulated digital payments is a natural next step.' Developed with Bahrain-licensed fintech provider ARP Pay, the service converts stablecoins such as USDT and USDC into AED or USD. A recent pilot allowed a part of a yacht purchase price to be settled in cryptocurrency, cutting transaction costs and improving client satisfaction among international buyers. 'Adding a crypto option future-proofs our customer experience,' notes Erwin Bamps, Group CEO, Gulf Craft. 'We stay ahead of the curve by adopting technologies that shape tomorrow's commerce and by tapping into the growing segment of crypto holders who prefer paying with digital assets. Whether a client is taking delivery of a Majesty or Nomad yacht or purchasing any boat or power catamaran across our Oryx or SilverCAT ranges, they can now transact through a channel that is fast, transparent and fully compliant.' The launch aligns with UAE's ambition to become the world's most crypto-friendly country, supported by VARA regulations, free-zone exchanges and a 24/7 fintech talent pool. Gulf Craft's new payment pathway will offer clients greater flexibility while further positioning the UAE at the forefront of maritime and financial innovation. About Gulf Craft Group: Gulf Craft Group is a prominent global entity with multiple companies under its umbrella in the yacht and boat manufacturing industry. Its portfolio includes Gulf Craft, Gulf Craft Maldives, and Superyacht Service Centre. Together, they deliver high-quality, personalised vessels for leisure and commercial pursuits to a diverse global clientele, along with exceptional service and support. At the heart of Gulf Craft Group is Gulf Craft, the parent brand that oversees prestigious names such as Majesty Yachts, Nomad Yachts, Oryx Cruisers, SilverCAT Boats, and Touring Passenger Vessels. These brands offer a wide range of yachts and boats, from 32 to 175 feet, embodying advanced technology, powerful engineering, timeless design, and world-class craftsmanship. Guided by visionary leadership and driven by a passionate global team, Gulf Craft continually pushes the boundaries of design and performance. This commitment is exemplified by the flagship Majesty 175, the world's largest composite-production superyacht. Since its founding in 1982, Gulf Craft has been at the forefront of innovation, solidifying its international presence through a robust dealership network. The Group operates state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facilities, including a 462,000 sq. ft shipyard in Umm Al Quwain and an additional facility in Ajman, UAE. Since 2002, Gulf Craft Maldives has also operated a 100,000 sq. ft manufacturing and servicing facility in the Maldives, with a brand new 800,000 sq. ft facility set to launch soon. To date, the company has built over 10,000 boats. Gulf Craft Group's unique integrated approach ensures comprehensive support and service for its customers worldwide, continually meeting and exceeding customer aspirations.
