Oman: $389,626 programme to raise quality, output of Jabal Akhdar roses
Funded by Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the programme called Enhancing the Added Value of the Omani Rose Crop is designed to empower rose farmers, improve product quality and boost the sector's contribution to the national economy.
The programme will run over two years at a cost of RO150,000, directly benefitting more than 350 rose farmers in the wilayat, which is home to over 6,300 rose shrubs spread across ten acres.
© 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
The National
23 minutes ago
- The National
Saudi Arabia is hedging against a future where oil may lose value
When a Saudi consortium led by utilities giant Acwa Power signed $8.3 billion in deals this July to build seven solar and wind projects across the kingdom, it marked more than just another line entry in the country's growing clean energy portfolio. The projects will add 15 gigawatts of new renewable capacity, suggesting that Saudi Arabia is committing serious money and scale to green energy. But does this mean the world's largest oil exporter is genuinely changing how it invests in energy? That question matters because oil still dominates the kingdom's economy, with Saudi Arabia shipping more than 15 per cent of total global crude exports last year. Those petrodollars fill state coffers and provide the dry powder for its $940 billion sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. That foundation is not going anywhere. But the kingdom is looking to hedge its bets, by maximising oil revenues today and investing in clean energy, technology and industry to prepare for a future in which global demand for oil is expected to peak around 2030 and begin a steady decline. Acwa Power deal The Acwa Power deal is part of that strategy. It aligns with Saudi Arabia's 'green initiative', a programme launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021 to curb the kingdom's reliance on oil money and diversify its economy. The deal also supports its ambitious target of generating 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 − which would be a meteoric rise from 1 per cent in 2023. It should also go a way to helping the kingdom reach its longer-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. However, some see Saudi Arabia's continued investment in fossil fuels as a contradiction that undermines the credibility of these climate pledges. The country contends that it needs to balance the realities of energy security with long-term decarbonisation. That balance comes at a price. Major green projects require huge investment, even though Saudi Arabia can produce renewable energy at a fairly low cost, thanks to abundant sunshine and low-cost solar panels. The highest hurdle is the upfront investment. For its part, the Public Investment Fund plays a big role in making that possible, by offering long-term contracts and financial support to reduce risk and attract private capital. Without that state backing, such projects are unlikely to be commercially viable, and private sector participation would be far harder to secure. State support was central to the Acwa Power deal. The PIF and Aramco Power, a subsidiary of oil giant Saudi Aramco, joined the consortium that signed long-term contracts with the state electricity buyer to develop the five solar farms and two wind projects across the kingdom. But even as deals like this move forward, the need for large-scale investment is only growing. Electricity demand in Saudi Arabia has grown rapidly for decades, fuelled by economic expansion, population growth and rising living standards, though the pace has eased slightly in recent years. Households still account for nearly 50 per cent of total electricity use, with air-conditioning alone responsible for most of that − a necessity in summer months when temperatures can reach a scorching 50°C. What's driving the demand? However, other factors are also driving that demand, including the energy needs of water desalination (removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water), as well as heavy industry and digital infrastructure, as the kingdom looks to diversify its economy. But meeting that demand still relies heavily on fossil fuels. At present, the country burns about one million barrels of oil equivalent each day to meet electricity needs. And that carries not just a financial cost, but a climate burden. Those two pressures are precisely why Saudi Arabia is investing in renewable energy. The thinking is that by switching to solar and wind power, the kingdom can free up more oil to export. This boosts petrodollar revenues and slashes the kingdom's scope 2 emissions simultaneously. It is a win-win. This is where green finance comes into focus, and not just in Saudi Arabia but in the broader Middle East region. One way that countries finance their energy transitions is through issuing green bonds. And here, Saudi Arabia has fallen behind its neighbour, the UAE. In 2024, the Emirates issued $7.4 billion in green bonds, the highest in the region, compared to $5.6 billion from Saudi Arabia, according to S&P Global Ratings. Yet when it comes to scale, Saudi Arabia is aiming far higher. It plans to build 130 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, nearly 10 times the UAE's 14-gigawatt target. Some may view this as a reputational play; an attempt to present Saudi Arabia as more than just an oil state. But that overlooks the economic logic behind it. This is not about walking away from fossil fuels. It is about risk management. By investing in clean energy, the kingdom is hedging against a future where oil may lose value. It is not a leap of faith. It is a calculated move to use current oil revenues to maintain relevance in a changing global energy system. That logic is reflected in the Acwa Power deal. It is not a green revolution, but it marks a shift in posture. Saudi Arabia is no longer experimenting at the edges of clean energy; it is now building at industrial scale. Oil will remain central to the Saudi economy for years, but Riyadh is ensuring that when the world moves on, it will have more than crude to offer.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
'No sales, no salary': How UAE residents without fixed base pay rely on commission
From real estate agents to retail staff and recruitment consultants, some UAE residents are employed under commission-only contracts. This practice, while legal in the country, often leaves these employees navigating financial uncertainty, unclear legal protections, and mental strain. Aisha M, a 29-year-old real estate broker in Dubai, said her income varies so widely that budgeting feels almost impossible. 'Some months, I make three times what a salaried person earns. Other months, I have to ask my landlord to wait for rent,' she said. 'There's no base pay, so if I don't close a deal, I earn nothing.' Aisha explained that commissions are usually paid out in the first week of the following month, but even that depends on the employer's internal processes. 'If I sell a unit in the last 10 days of July, I might not see the money until September. You have to be careful, always follow up.' Despite the instability, Aisha says she's not ready to give it up. 'When it's good, it's very good. But you live in a kind of emotional and financial rollercoaster. Every month, it's like starting from zero.' According to the UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, commission-based pay is legal if it's clearly stated in the employee's registered contract with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The law allows for various pay structures, including commission-only, provided they're mutually agreed upon and formally documented. However, there is no officially defined minimum wage in the UAE. The law broadly states that pay must 'meet the basic needs' of the worker, but does not set a numerical threshold. 'No sales, no salary' Tariq Mahmoud, 35, works in electronics retail. He has a commission-only contract with a company that sells high-end appliances. 'I spend 8 to 10 hours a day on the floor. If I don't make a sale, I go home with nothing. My wife has a fixed job, or else we wouldn't have survived.' He points out that during low seasons, sales drop sharply. 'Some months, I make just Dh500. There's no hourly wage, no overtime, and no safety net.' The hardest part, he says, is how commission payments are delayed. 'The commission is based on closed sales, but the company often takes time to process payments. If there's a return or customer complaint, they can even cut your pay retroactively.' Still, he acknowledges the upside. 'It keeps you hungry, sharp. If you're aggressive, you can outperform salaried colleagues. But there's a mental toll. You're always anxious about clients, numbers, the system.' Noura, a 27-year-old resident of Dubai, works in banking sales now, pushing financial products and credit cards. Before that, she spent three years in real estate under a commission-only setup. She said her experience taught her that everything depends on the employer. 'In real estate, some months I worked hard but didn't get paid on time, or at all. Now, in banking, even though I'm still on commission, the structure is more formal. There's a payment schedule, clear reporting, and a fallback if something goes wrong.' Noura said people often underestimate how risky commission-only roles can be. 'You have to really trust the company before you accept this kind of job. Ask people who work there. If payments get delayed or if you're left chasing your commission every month, it affects your whole life.'
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Rents for studios, 1BHKs rise after crackdown on illegal partitions
Rental rates for studio and one-bedroom apartments in several areas of Dubai are rising, driven by increased demand following a government crackdown on illegal partitioning of apartments and villas. Before the crackdown, many tenants were living in overcrowded spaces, often crammed into single rooms or partitioned units. Since authorities began enforcing regulations, landlords and property owners have tightened their leasing practices, opting to rent only to families and corporate tenants. 'Rental prices have seen a slight increase, particularly for studios and one-bedroom apartments, as demand for these units has risen. Overall, the Dubai Municipality's action has brought more transparency to the market,' said Swapna Tekchandani, consultant at Property Zone Real Estate. Humaira Vaqqas, property consultant at Range International Properties, noted that some areas have experienced an oversupply of larger units as evicted tenants moved out, placing slight downward pressure on rents for those properties. 'There is a higher demand for smaller, legal units — studios and 1-bed apartments demand spike, leading to stable or slightly increased rents in legal small-unit buildings. There is a market adjustment over time, as illegal units are removed, the supply of affordable options shrinks, pushing up legal rent prices in budget-friendly areas. Landlords often pass the cost of compliance, renovations, and missed income on to future tenants by demanding higher rents,' she added. The crackdown by Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Land Department began in June, targeting illegally modified properties in areas such as Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Al Satwa, and Al Raffa, citing safety concerns related to unapproved structural changes. According to Ayman Youssef, managing director of Coldwell Banker, this enforcement is expected to drive demand for rental units in specific areas. 'The simple reasoning behind this is that previously 4 to 5 people were sharing a unit, but now those people will require individual units.' Up to 20% rent hike in Al Nahda, Sharjah Youssef added that many evicted tenants are likely to relocate to more affordable areas on the outskirts, such as Al Nahda, or even to other emirates like Sharjah and Ajman, where rents remain comparatively lower. Swapna noted that Sharjah has traditionally offered spacious units that were often shared among multiple occupants. 'Following the crackdown, many of these units are now being rented out to single tenants, contributing to an overall increase in rental prices. In Al Nahda, however, prices were already on the higher side due to its prime location and proximity to Dubai,' she added. Vaqqas observed that short-term leasing is becoming more common in the wake of the displacement. She pointed out that many former tenants from Dubai have moved to Sharjah – particularly Al Nahda, Al Majaz, and Rolla – due to more lenient sharing regulations and lower rents. 'Reports suggest Sharjah's Al Nahda saw 10 to 20 per cent rent increases in some buildings within months of the Dubai crackdown. Availability issues are on the rise after this crackdown; cheaper apartments are getting booked faster, especially near the Dubai border for easy commuting,' said Range International Properties' consultant. Overall, Vaqqas emphasised that the crackdown has had a positive effect for both landlords and tenants, encouraging legal rental practices and improving living standards.
