
Jabal al Akhdar Park to be opened to the public in August
Sheikh Sultan bin Mansour al Ghafili, Wali of Jabal Al Akhdar, said the park covers an area of 20,000 sqm and includes integrated recreational and service facilities, including a 1,000 sqm children's play area, sports tracks, and investment areas containing a café, a shop, and an area dedicated to electric games, in addition to prayer rooms and restrooms for men and women.
The park also includes a multi-use open theater and 5,000 sqm of green spaces, landscaped with 150 trees and 400 shrubs, along with vegetation that enhances the site's aesthetics and makes the park a complete year-round entertainment destination.
These projects contribute to enhancing the state's tourism landscape, providing community platforms for hosting national events, and playing a role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and stimulating local growth by creating job opportunities and stimulating commercial activity.
He said the Wilayat of Jabal Al Akhdar, in coordination with the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate Office, is keen to ensure that these initiatives serve as a foundation for a comprehensive development drive that takes into account the principles of sustainability, stimulates innovation, and enhances the Omani identity in all its components.
His Excellency added that the next phase will witness the implementation of additional initiatives aimed at enhancing the state's readiness to attract quality investments, particularly in the areas of ecotourism, smart agriculture, and community services, while emphasizing the importance of integrating the roles of government agencies, the private sector, and the local community to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable development impact.
For his part, Eng. Mohammed bin Ali al Wardi, Director of the Projects Department at Al Dakhiliyah Municipality, pointed out that the park project is an extension of the governorate's vision to develop public spaces, and the celebration square in Saih Qatna, which was officially inaugurated this July, represents one of the most prominent cultural and tourism infrastructure projects in the governorate.
He explained that the square was designed to be a multi-use platform that blends seamlessly with the geographical character of the Green Mountain. It includes a main arena for performances, along with service facilities such as parking, restrooms, and family lounges, making it an ideal destination for hosting seasonal and national events.
Engineer Mohamed Al Wardi stated that the square has become a major attraction for visitors to the Green Mountain Festival 2025, hosting cultural, artistic, and entertainment events, in addition to exhibitions of local handicrafts and agricultural products, enhancing the project's role in supporting entrepreneurship and stimulating the local economy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
65% Omanis in private sector earn less than RO600
Muscat – Omani nationals employed in the government sector continue to earn significantly higher wages compared to their counterparts in the private sector, according to 2024 data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Out of 740,877 Omanis insured in 2024, 392,011 work in the government and 348,866 are in the private sector. Despite this near-even split, a stark contrast emerges in wage distribution. The private sector has a heavy concentration of Omanis in the lowest wage brackets. A total of 138,632 private sector employees earn between RO325 and RO400 monthly, representing nearly 40% of all Omanis in the private sector. In contrast, 5,077 government employees fall within this bracket, which is 1.3% of all those employed in the government sector. The disparity persists across other low-income bands. A total of 47,713 private sector employees earn RO400-RO500, compared to 11,047 in government. In the RO500-RO600 bracket, 40,387 are in private jobs versus 30,090 in government. Combined, more than 65% Omanis in the private sector earn less than RO600, whereas less than 12% government employees fall into this category. At the higher end of the wage spectrum, the imbalance is reversed. In the RO2,000 to RO2,500 range, 4,987 are government compared to 7,797 private sector employees. Among those earning RO2,500 or more, 16,172 are in the private sector while 5,689 are in government. This suggests a narrowing gap at the very top but a broader divide across the lower and middle wage tiers. Gender disparities are also evident. Of the total 740,877 Omanis insured, 215,671 are women and 525,206 are men. Male employees dominate all income categories, especially the higher wage brackets. Sector-wise, Omanis in the private sector are spread across different fields. The construction sector employs the largest number of Omanis – 76,573 – followed by manufacturing (57,627), wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (56,543), agriculture and fisheries (47,929), and transport and storage (47,428) making the top five sectors employing citizens. For expatriates, the construction sector is the largest employer (439,924), followed by wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (277,247), those employed by households (272,542), manufacturing (183,134) and administrative and support services (134,275), making the top five sectors employing expatriate workers.


Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Ministry of Labour hosts Salalah's business leaders
SALALAH: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) hosted a meeting of Dhofar Governorate's business leaders at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah on Wednesday. The forum, held with the participation of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, focused on labour market challenges. Addressing the event, Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, pointed to the current efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Labour to enhance the development of labour market tools. He highlighted the support extended to private sector institutions and the facilities available to establishments. He also referred to the Labour Law and the regulations governing the labour market, which aim to ensure stability and keep pace with the progress witnessed in the global market. Dr Baowain explained during the meeting — held as part of the activities of the Labour Forum 2025 — that the current circumstances call for accelerating the pace of work. This is due to the challenges and tremendous advancements taking place, which serve the interests of the markets and support human resources. He emphasised that human capital is the true driver of development and progress. In this context, he pointed to employment initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Labour in genuine partnership with the private sector. The official also stressed the importance of the role of the private sector in Dhofar Governorate, which is growing at a rapid pace, particularly in the tourism field. He noted the governorate's role in strengthening the labour sector and the efforts made by small and medium enterprises and their national workforces in the establishments and companies of the private sector. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of intensifying attention to entrepreneurial projects related to artificial intelligence and innovation, as well as supporting training programmes. The meeting witnessed a discussion of the challenges facing business owners, particularly in the small and medium enterprises sector; and ways to simplify procedures to benefit from the facilities available to them to establish new projects and mechanisms for their development. Omanisation in certain activities, as well as the means of developing the Omani labour market, were also discussed.


Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Khazaen Dry Port joins CMA CGM's global network
MUSCAT: Khazaen Dry Port, a key facility under the Asyad Group, has officially joined the global container terminal network of CMA CGM, one of the world's leading shipping groups. This strategic move positions Khazaen as an approved container terminal within CMA CGM's global system, significantly enhancing its integration with international shipping lines and offering Omani importers and exporters greater access to efficient and flexible global logistics solutions. The port has already begun receiving container shipments through this new network, with goods arriving via SOHAR Port and Freezone as a transit hub. Leveraging its advanced infrastructure and operational capabilities, Khazaen was able to complete clearance and handling procedures on-site — demonstrating its readiness to manage international freight flows effectively. Khazaen Dry Port provides a range of value-added services that benefit both local and international trade. These include generous free storage periods — up to 14 days for loaded containers and 21 days for empties — alongside specialised services for refrigerated containers, such as electrical hook-ups and pre-operation inspections. It also hosts food and agricultural inspection facilities directly within the port, speeding up the entry of goods into domestic markets and boosting overall supply chain efficiency. This milestone is the result of a strategic partnership between Asyad Ports and Free Zones and the CMA CGM Group; and was enabled by a streamlined customs corridor developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs of the Royal Oman Police. The new corridor allows container transport using a 'shipping agent seal', eliminating the need for traditional customs closures. Additionally, it provides for a 'written financial undertaking' in place of a bank guarantee, reducing costs for logistics operators and encouraging direct connectivity. Saad Bait Naseeb, CEO of Khazaen Dry Port, noted that the port's integration into CMA CGM's global network reflects its commitment to positioning Oman as a competitive logistics hub in the region. He said the initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises economic diversification and smart infrastructure development to enhance the Sultanate of Oman's role in global supply chains. 'This step supports Khazaen's vision of operational excellence, regulatory innovation and sustainable logistics solutions', Bait Naseeb said, reaffirming Asyad Group's dedication to building a globally connected and efficient logistics ecosystem. — ONA