Latest news with #FisheriesandWaterResources
a day ago
- Business
Oman, Turkey announce RO5mn venture to boost marine industry
Muscat – Musandam International Investment Company, in partnership with Turkish investors, has signed binding commercial terms and a shareholders' agreement to establish the Musandam Drydock and Marine Industries Company. The venture, based in Musandam governorate, will see an initial investment of over RO5mn in its first phase. The signing ceremony was attended by H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam. The company will offer a range of marine services including construction and maintenance of fish farming cages, coastal and commercial fishing vessels, marine tugs, service vessels, and transport vessels up to 35 metres in length. The facility is intended to cater to Oman's domestic market as well as regional demand. The project aims to enhance industrial integration in the marine and fisheries sector, supporting national goals for food security and sustainable economic growth. It forms part of Musandam International Investment Company's wider strategy to build an integrated local ecosystem and promote development in Musandam, aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
a day ago
- Business
MAFWR moves to boost honey industry
Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) held a high-level meeting in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss the development of Oman's beekeeping sector and ways to increase the added value of locally produced honey. The session was chaired by H E Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agricultural Resources in MAFWR, and attended by beekeepers, officials from honey export and import companies, and representatives from the ministry. Participants reviewed key economic indicators, identified sector challenges, and discussed proposals to improve production and raise the quality of Omani honey for better competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. H E Bakri described the beekeeping sector as an important part of national food security and a potential contributor to economic diversification. He called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure sustainability and implement best practices in honey production and marketing. Omani honey, particularly Sidr and Samr varieties, is valued for its quality, attributed to the country's biodiversity and unique flora in the region.
Observer
a day ago
- General
- Observer
Workshop looks at advancing coastal water sustainability
SUHAR: As part of its commitment to advancing scientific research and environmental sustainability, Sohar University hosted a high-level workshop on Monday entitled: 'Assessing the Impact of the Decision Support System for Coastal Waters (DISCO) on Stakeholders'. The event was organised in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Fisheries Research at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and comes as part of the ongoing activities under the DISCO research project, which is strategically funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and receives a funding support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The workshop commenced with a keynote address by Prof Kelvin Bwalya, Director of Research Development at Sohar University. He began by warmly welcoming the delegates on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Dr Hamdan al Fazari, quoting, "I extend a warm welcome to all the delegates to this prestigious event. Sohar University is always happy to host internationally recognised events to reaffirm our commitment to meaningful research that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Oman Vision 2040." Prof Bwalya further expressed pride in the university's collaboration on a Nasa-funded research project alongside esteemed partners from the USA and Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. Dr Dawood al Yahyai, Director-General of Fisheries Research, delivered another keynote address. He emphasised the critical role of the DISCO system in advancing sustainable marine resource management and enabling data-driven environmental decision-making through cutting-edge monitoring technologies. Led by Prof Dale Kiefer, Principal Investigator from the University of Southern California, the research team presented the developmental journey of the DISCO system and its technical capabilities in monitoring oceanographic and environmental conditions of coastal waters. Presentations were also delivered by Suad al Bimani from the Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, highlighting the key challenges facing Oman's coastal ecosystems. Dr Scott Burg and Prof Rakesh Belwal from Sohar University presented the methodology used for stakeholder impact assessment, which is part of the new evaluation phase of the project supported by Nasa. The scientific programme featured six main sessions, including live demonstrations, scientific presentations and interactive discussions. The participants were divided into two parallel focus groups to evaluate user needs, provide feedback on the system's capabilities, and explore ways to enhance its adoption and impact across relevant sectors. The event brought together experts and representatives from major national institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Royal Navy of Oman, OQ, Majis Industrial Services, Sultan Qaboos University, the National University of Science and Technology, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences and Sohar University.
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
Shipbuilding, maintenance project pact signed
KHASAB: Musandam Global Investment company and its Turkish business partners on Tuesday signed an agreement to establish Musandam Drydock and Marine Industries Company. The agreement deals with launching a strategic project in Musandam Governorate, with an investment cost of more than RO 5 million in its first phase, to provide a set of vital services like construction and maintenance of fish farming cages, coastal and commercial fishing vessels, marine tugs, service vessels and transport vessels. The company will take steps to meet the needs of the Omani market and neighbouring regional markets, besides enhancing industrial integration in the marine and fisheries services sector. The project will keep pace with national trends in promoting food security and sustainable industrial growth. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy, Governor of Musandam. - ONA
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
Central Wholesale Fish Market to close during Eid al Adha
Muscat: The Central Wholesale Fish Market will be closed for five days during the Eid al Adha holiday, from Thursday, June 5, to Monday, June 9, 2025, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources announced. According to MAFWR, operations at the market are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, June 10. During the closure, exporters will be permitted to directly export authorised fish species. However, the export of restricted species remains prohibited unless specific conditions—including minimum weight and value thresholds—are met, in line with Ministerial Resolution No. 75/2019 regulating fish exports from the Sultanate of Oman.
