Shabab Oman II ship leaves Alexandria, sets sail to Katakolo Port
Alexandria: The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) sail ship "Shabab Oman II" today left the Port of Alexandria, Arab Republic of Egypt, setting sail to Katakolo Port in the Republic of Greece, as part of its 7th international voyage, termed "Glories of the Seas'.
The vessel will call at many ports along the way in its current international voyage, which covers the European continent.
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Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Tourist sites in South Al Batinah witness surge in visitors
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Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
"Miles to go": Piyush Goyal sees strong potential in India-Italy bilateral trade
Brescia [Italy]: Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday pointed out that the bilateral trade between India and Italy is very low, as he suggested that the trade relationship has "miles to go". Speaking at the India-Italy Plenary Session of the Business Forum alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, Minister Piyush Goyal asked the businesses present at the event whether the current trade volume "meets even a minuscule portion of the huge potential between Italy and India." "We have miles to go," Piyush Goyal said, painting a hopeful picture that the trade between India and Italy will grow. Piyush Goyal is on a two-day visit to Italy. "We realise that the bilateral trade between our two nations is so low, and is suboptimal. We have a lot of work to do, whether it is trade, whether it is investments, whether it is technology, whether it is tourism," Goyal said. The bilateral trade between India and Italy registered at Euro 14.34 billion in 2023. India's exports to Italy reached Euro 9.16 billion, a decrease of 8.86% compared to the previous year, 2022. During 2023, India's imports from Italy were Euro 5.18 billion, an increase of 7.69 per cent compared to the year 2022. The trade balance remains in India's favour, with Euro 3.98 billion. It has been in India's favour since 1988. He added that the tremendous potential between the two countries can be gauged from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Italy after becoming prime minister. In his address, Minister Goyal said there is a huge opportunity for tourism in India. In the same breath, he invited people of Italy to come to India as tourists. He said Italy is quite a popular destination for Indian tourists, and each time an Indian movie features a song shot in an exotic Italian location, tourism from India to Italy increases significantly. "I'm a greedy person. I would also like to see tourism come from Italy to India. Therefore, I would like to invite the world of cinema to come to India and explore some exotic locations. We have rain in some parts or other of India every season, 12 months a year. You can have the sun, you can have beautiful beaches, historical sites, palaces, temples, a lot of history, a lot of art, a lot of culture, tonnes of tradition, all of that across India, and I would like to invite all of you to India to explore the majesty and the glory," he doubled on his tourism promotion. He said the impending India-EU FTA is making rapid progress. "Our leaders, President Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have tasked us to finalise the deal before the end of this year. I can assure you that we are making rapid progress; we had discussions as recently as two days ago in Paris, where we engaged on finding the pathways for taking forward (the negotiations)," Goyal added. Once finalised, this FTA would be one of the most significant for India, as the EU is its second-largest trading partner after the US. This commitment to finance FTA by the end of 2025 builds on the strategic direction given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the landmark visit of the EU College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025. After a nine-year lull, India and the EU re-launched negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in 2022. The talks had reportedly stopped in 2013.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Times of Oman
Nizwa: sustainable development bridging heritage and investment horizons
Nizwa — The Wilayat of Nizwa in the Governorate of A'Dakhiliyah stands as one of Oman's most prominent cultural and touristic destinations, renowned for its rich historical legacy and archaeological landmarks that chronicle significant chapters of the nation's past. Its distinctive architectural and heritage sites beautifully encapsulate Oman's authentic cultural identity. The iconic Nizwa Fort dominates the historical landscape as a masterpiece of traditional Omani architecture and engineering. Adjacent to the fort, the vibrant Nizwa Souq (market) showcases exceptional local craftsmanship, from intricately forged daggers and handcrafted silverware to traditional markets selling livestock, fresh produce, and artisanal goods. Falaj Daris, recognized on UNESCO's World Heritage list as one of Oman's largest aflaj irrigation systems, represents another jewel in Nizwa's heritage crown. This ancient water network sustains extensive agricultural lands while demonstrating centuries-old Omani ingenuity in sustainable water management. The recent development of a public garden within the falaj has further enhanced its ecological and touristic value. Nizwa's strategic geographical location, combined with its diverse topography of wadis (valleys), mountains, and verdant oases, has established it as a prime destination for cultural and eco-tourism. These natural assets, along with progressive development initiatives, have positioned the Wilayat of Nizwa as an attractive investment hub for tourism and infrastructure projects. Nizwa has achieved remarkable progress in sustainable development through Strategic initiatives have been launched in Nizwa in a bid to achieve remarkable progress in sustainable development. These initiatives have further enhanced urban infrastructure and quality of life. Significant development projects currently underway include A'Dakhiliyah Square launched earlier this year, an RO 7 million Integrated Public Transport Station, and restoration works in Haray Al Aqr where wall rehabilitation stands 65% complete with pathway paving 20% finished. The Public Garden Project has reached 40% completion, collectively aiming to elevate Nizwa's status as Oman's premier cultural-tourism destination while creating new economic opportunities. Harat Al Aqr (an old neighborhood renovated by the locals) has transformed into a flagship example of youth empowerment, hosting 78 entrepreneurial ventures that have generated over 300 jobs for young Omanis. This revitalization has turned the historical quarter into a dynamic center for innovation and traditional crafts, featuring heritage cafes, artisanal shops, private museums, restored guesthouses, and classic car exhibitions. The area's cultural renaissance has dramatically increased property values from RO 10 to RO 1,500 per square meter and now attracts over 20 official delegations annually. Sheikh Saleh Thiyab Al Rubaie, Wali of Nizwa, emphasized to Oman News Agency (ONA) that developmental projects are strategically designed to strengthen local economies while preserving cultural heritage. He noted Nizwa's unique historical assets perfectly position it to benefit from sustainable tourism and knowledge-based economic models. The Wali highlighted how historical neighborhood restoration forms a cornerstone of Nizwa's economic strategy, serving the dual purpose of safeguarding cultural identity through architectural conservation while creating employment via tourism and SME development. Nizwa Industrial City, under the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), represents another facet of Nizwa's growth with 186 operational projects across 7.2 million square meters of developed area, attracting RO 504 million in cumulative investments and generating 6,100 jobs with a 45% Omanization rate. Eng. Ishaq Ibrahim Al Kharousi, Acting Director General, revealed Madayn's upcoming RO 1.2 million Entrepreneurial Complex and ongoing studies for an integrated residential zone within the industrial city. On her turn, Ahlam Hamad Al Qasabi, Director of Heritage and Tourism, outlined the ministry's comprehensive SME support programs including streamlined licensing procedures, specialized training initiatives, and incentive packages for heritage hospitality ventures. She noted how the conversion of historical homes into heritage inns perfectly illustrates the purple economy approach, citing 600,000 visitors to Harat Al Aqr in the first quarter of 2023 as evidence of this model's success in merging cultural preservation with economic viability. The ministry continues to prioritize fortress restorations and historical documentation to enhance Oman's sustainable tourism offerings while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. This comprehensive development approach positions Nizwa as a model for balanced sustainable growth, where cultural heritage preservation and modern economic development progress hand in hand, creating new opportunities while maintaining the unique identity. —— Ends/AH
