Inaugural Governors' Ambassadors Forum kicks off in Muscat

Times of Oman

20-05-2025

Muscat: The inaugural Governors' Ambassadors Forum, held under the slogan "United by Purpose," began on Tuesday in Muscat Governorate.
The event brings together specialists and professionals in project management and administrative governance procedures from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Over three days, the forum will discuss challenges and innovative solutions while presenting work methodologies, contracts, and successful case studies.
The forum aims to enhance institutional integration and exchange best practices in contracts and tenders, supporting the government's decentralisation efforts, empowering governorates, and achieving balanced development across Oman.
In his opening speech, Eng. Said Hamad Al-Amri, Director General of Tenders at the General Secretariat for Tenders, stated that the Governors' Ambassadors Forum, launched on Tuesday in Muscat, strengthens integration between the Secretariat and governors' offices. It seeks to focus on developmental goals and outcomes by enhancing communication channels and expertise exchange among specialists, as well as reviewing successful project implementation experiences in governorates. This contributes to improving government project efficiency and ensuring cohesive execution of policies and developmental initiatives.
He added that the program will be held periodically three times a year—once every four months—with each session hosted in a different governorate selected based on geographic distribution and the number of projects implemented there. Each forum spans three days, featuring field activities, discussion sessions, and site visits to projects.
Al Amri explained that the forum aims to share knowledge and experiences among governorates, highlighting key projects, challenges, and developmental opportunities in host governorates. It also seeks to improve communication efficiency between tender offices. Discussion topics include reviewing implemented projects and execution mechanisms, addressing challenges and innovative solutions, presenting work and contract methodologies, and exchanging successful experiences. Additionally, specialized workshops with government stakeholders will be organized.
He noted that the programme aims to establish a sustainable communication mechanism among stakeholders in different governorates, enhancing professional performance and contributing to an integrated system for managing projects and tenders—one that considers developmental disparities and economic opportunities in each governorate.
Al Amri emphasised that the programme is expected to significantly improve government spending efficiency by enhancing project monitoring, transparency, and accountability, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's priorities in local governance and effective administration.
On his turn, Ali Hamad Al Azki, Director General of Financial and Administrative Affairs in Muscat Governorate, stated that the forum is an opportunity to enhance capabilities and develop working tools for governors' offices, in line with decentralization efforts to broaden governorates' authority. This contributes to balanced and sustainable development across all governorates.
He added that the forum reflects a unified vision, starting in Muscat, to achieve institutional integration and build a comprehensive national system involving all governorates. This will help improve administrative governance and develop an integrated framework.
Meanwhile, Rasha Mohammed Al Salti, Director of Development and Price Indicators at the General Secretariat of the Tender Board, stated that hosting the Governors' Ambassadors Forum will have a tangible positive impact on supporting sustainable development in Oman.
She added that the forum represents a key opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the Tender Board and governors' offices, facilitating information and expertise exchange among various entities. It also serves as a platform to enhance government performance by showcasing successful experiences and best practices, positively reflecting on the quality of developmental project execution.
She noted that the forum will develop specialists' skills through discussion sessions and workshops, boosting their efficiency in managing projects and tenders. It will also encourage innovation by addressing developmental challenges and proposing solutions, fostering creative problem-solving.
She emphasised that the forum will focus on developmental disparities and economic opportunities among governorates, reinforcing efforts toward balanced development that meets local community needs and supports Oman Vision 2040.
The forum includes specialized sessions and workshops reviewing governorates' experiences in project and contract management, focusing on key shared challenges and solutions.
On the second day, participants will conduct field visits to vital projects in Muscat, including Oman Botanic Garden, Sultan Haitham City, the Al Ansab–Al Jifnain Road project, and the Green Walkway—bridging theory with practical application and promoting hands-on experience exchange.
The forum concludes on the third day with specialized working papers presented by experts from Muscat Governorate and the Tender Board, discussing key trends and future opportunities in project management and government procurement.
This first-of-its-kind forum is organised by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board in cooperation with governorates and will be held periodically on a rotating basis among governorates—a step toward unifying practices and developing institutional tools in contracts and tenders.