Latest news with #GovernmentCommunicationCentre
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Directive reinforces Arabic for official communications in Oman
Muscat – Government Communication Centre has confirmed that the Council of Ministers has issued a directive mandating proper use of Arabic across all sectors in a move aimed at preserving the language as a cornerstone of national identity. The decision applies to all units of the state's administrative apparatus, state-owned enterprises, public and private legal entities, civil institutions and associations. 'In response to what has been circulated on social media concerning the document regulating the use of Arabic, Government Communication Centre affirms that Council of Ministers has recently issued a directive requiring all relevant bodies – governmental and non-governmental – to comply with this regulation. This directive underscores the sultanate's ongoing efforts to preserve the Arabic language as a vital element of Oman's national identity,' the statement said. The directive requires accurate Arabic to be used in naming government projects including streets, neighbourhoods, squares and parks, with names in other languages permitted in parentheses where necessary. It also mandates the use of proper Arabic in official communications such as meetings, events, agreements, MoUs, contracts, decisions, regulations and media advertisements. Translations or simultaneous interpretation may be provided in the public interest. The directive extends to the education sector, covering both public and private schools and higher education institutions, unless otherwise exempted by competent authorities. Correct Arabic must also be used in medical reports, prescriptions, academic certificates, degree equivalency decisions, and on official documents such as banknotes, stamps and medals. The use of other languages is permitted alongside Arabic when needed. The Council of Ministers has also urged private sector entities including banks, insurance companies, telecom firms and utility providers to ensure Arabic is used correctly in all public communications and documentation. The move is part of a wider national initiative to preserve the Arabic language and ensure its consistent use across all institutional and societal levels. The directive has received strong public support, with many seeing it as a reaffirmation of Oman's cultural and linguistic heritage. 'This is a declaration of loyalty to our identity and a covenant with the Arabic tongue. The statement restores Arabic to its rightful place in the national system,' Hilal al Zaidi posted on social media. Citizen Aisha al Riyami said, 'Language is the soul of a nation. By reinforcing the use of Arabic, Oman is ensuring that future generations remain connected to their heritage and roots. This decision reflects the significance of language in shaping identity and unity.'
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman reaffirms Arabic language use across public and private sectors
Muscat: The Government Communication Centre clarifies that the Council of Ministers has recently directed all units of the State's administrative apparatus, and other relevant public and private legal entities, institutions, and civil associations, to adhere to the mentioned guidelines. The clarification comes in response to a formal directive by the Council of Ministers emphasizing the importance of upholding Arabic as a key element of national identity and a pillar of Oman's Vision 2040. According to a document released by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the use of Arabic is now mandatory in several key areas, including: Naming of Public Projects: New government-related projects such as streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces must be named in Arabic. A secondary name in another language may be added in parentheses if needed, but priority is given to Arabic terminology. Official Government Operations: All official business — including meetings, contracts, agreements, circulars, publications, and advertisements — must be conducted and documented in Arabic. The use of other languages is permitted only in urgent cases where public interest is at stake. Language of Instruction: Arabic remains the primary language of instruction in all government and higher education institutions unless otherwise specified by relevant regulations. Medical and Legal Documentation: Medical prescriptions, scientific certificates, legal decisions, and commercial contracts must be issued in Arabic. Other languages may be added alongside Arabic for clarity or international purposes. In addition, the Council urged private sector entities — including telecom companies, banks, utility providers, and insurers — to adopt the proper use of Arabic in their public communications and reports. The Government Communication Center stressed that these efforts aim to reinforce the Arabic language's standing in Omani society, highlighting it as one of the core components of the nation's cultural identity and strategic vision for the future.
Observer
05-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
‘Align media messages with Vision 2040 priorities'
MUSCAT, MAY 5 The Government Communication Centre convened its 28th coordination meeting, bringing together representatives from media institutions and government entities across the Sultanate of Oman. The session forms part of a long-standing series of engagements aimed at fostering dialogue, aligning narratives, and enhancing institutional collaboration in the field of strategic communication. The gathering comes at a time of fast-evolving media and communication technologies, offering a timely platform to discuss developments, share expertise, and explore integrated approaches to public messaging. The initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which calls for modernising communication frameworks and reinforcing the role of media in national development. Addressing the meeting, Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Head of the Implementation Follow-up Unit for Oman Vision 2040, underlined the need to tailor strategies to suit the distinct circumstances of each development phase. He noted that ongoing coordination among institutions is critical to showcasing progress and ensuring the visibility of national achievements. 'Each period comes with its own context, and we must adapt our performance monitoring and implementation efforts accordingly,' said Dr Al Jabri. 'It is essential to highlight institutional accomplishments within a broader ecosystem, as most strategic projects are deeply interlinked.' Dr Al Jabri further stressed the need for government agencies to synchronise their media content with national priorities, ensuring coherence in messaging and programme delivery under the Oman Vision 2040 framework. He also urged institutions to embed the economic dimension within their communication outputs, encouraging them to articulate their contributions to economic growth and national resilience. 'Every government entity has an economic impact — it must be made visible. Moreover, economic risks must be factored into institutional performance to sustain effectiveness and inform policy outcomes,' he noted. The Government Communication Centre's ongoing meetings serve as a vital conduit for dialogue and policy alignment in a rapidly changing media landscape. By reinforcing inter- agency partnerships and updating communication strategies, the initiative supports transparent governance, informed citizen engagement, and the unified advancement of Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
GCC committed to ensuring succes of Oman Vision 2040
Muscat: The Government Communication Centre (GCC) held its 28th meeting with the participation of directors and representatives of communication and media departments across government entities. The meeting was held under the patronage of Dr. Khamis Saif Al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. The event aligns with the Centre's efforts to strengthen national media discourse and embed the Vision's presence in communication activities. In his opening remarks, Ibrahim Salim Al Salmi, Director General of the GCC, emphasised that media is not merely a tool for disseminating information but also a means to build societal awareness and deepen public understanding of national directives. He stressed the Centre's commitment to ensuring Oman Vision 2040 is reflected across all platforms and media formats—from official news to creative content on social media. Al Salmi added that the meeting serves as an opportunity to exchange insights, develop communication initiatives that bring the Vision closer to the public, and align outreach methods with societal aspirations, particularly among youth. Dr. Khamis Al Jabri stated that Oman Vision 2040's communication programs are pivotal in fostering effective and sustainable engagement around the Vision and its national priorities. He highlighted the vital role of government and private entities in raising awareness, showcasing achieved projects, and positively impacting local and international indicators tied to the Vision. Dr. Al Jabri noted that the program will provide necessary communication support at all implementation stages, with precise monitoring to ensure message coherence and adaptability to progress. He underscored the clarity of institutional roles through strategic alignment with the Vision's priorities. He further pointed out that the Vision's follow-up offices across entities serve as key partners for communication departments by supplying accurate data on efforts and projects, enabling more effective and professional messaging. The meeting aimed to reinforce the importance of linking government entities' content and achievements to national targets, refining media plans to serve broader strategic goals, and introducing governance frameworks for institutional communication. A documentary on Oman Vision 2040, presented by Abdullah Al Saidi, Communication Program Supervisor at the Follow-up Unit, highlighted key milestones in strategic communication efforts supporting the Vision's implementation. The film emphasized continuous and effective public engagement to ensure community interaction and support for Vision-related projects. The presentation also outlined stages in developing the Vision's communication identity, including unified messaging, official platform launches, digital presence enhancement, and media campaigns. It stressed the need for active, sustained dialogue with all societal segments to foster broad understanding and backing. In his turn, Prof. Abdullah Khamis Al Kindi, Member of the State Council and Head of the Media Department at Sultan Qaboos University, delivered a presentation on institutional integration in national reputation-building. He defined corporate communication as a system for information exchange between organizations and stakeholders, supporting strategic objectives and institutional identity. Al Kindi noted that corporate communication has evolved from a technical role to a strategic function focused on reputation management, crisis communication, and message alignment—particularly within Oman Vision 2040's framework. He addressed overlaps with marketing, public relations, and internal communication, emphasising their collective role in shaping institutional image. He highlighted the importance of perception and reputation, advocating for continuous engagement, internal communication, and value-driven messaging. Challenges such as weak leadership, cultural disparities, and slow responsiveness were also discussed, with recommendations for strategic planning and skill development. In her turn, Samira Al Sarihi, Media Researcher at the GCC, presented a guide for communicators on applying Oman Vision 2040 in government media activities. The guide serves as a reference for planning communication initiatives tied to government projects, ensuring alignment with Vision priorities, national programs, and five-year development plans. Meanwhile, Zakiyah Al Balushi, Director of Planning and Studies at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, shared her entity's experience in aligning operations with Oman Vision 2040 targets. She outlined steps to enhance institutional transformation, including annual and five-year plans based on performance indicators linked to the Vision. The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion on improving media performance and institutional coordination to unify government messaging and support national priorities. This gathering is part of a series of GCC initiatives in collaboration with Oman Vision 2040 Follow-up Unit, aimed at assessing government entities' media readiness, adapting to communication trends, and supporting comprehensive development efforts.-ONA
Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Government Communication Centre organises 28th meeting
Muscat: The Government Communication Centre (GCC) held its 28th meeting with the participation of directors and representatives of communication and media departments across government entities. The meeting was held under the patronage of Dr. Khamis Saif Al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. The event aligns with the Centre's efforts to strengthen national media discourse and embed the Vision's presence in communication activities. In his opening remarks, Ibrahim Salim Al Salmi, Director General of the GCC, emphasized that media is not merely a tool for disseminating information but also a means to build societal awareness and deepen public understanding of national directives. He stressed the Centre's commitment to ensuring Oman Vision 2040 is reflected across all platforms and media formats—from official news to creative content on social media. Al Salmi added that the meeting serves as an opportunity to exchange insights, develop communication initiatives that bring the Vision closer to the public, and align outreach methods with societal aspirations, particularly among youth. Dr. Khamis Al Jabri stated that Oman Vision 2040's communication programs are pivotal in fostering effective and sustainable engagement around the Vision and its national priorities. He highlighted the vital role of government and private entities in raising awareness, showcasing achieved projects, and positively impacting local and international indicators tied to the Vision. Dr. Al Jabri noted that the program will provide necessary communication support at all implementation stages, with precise monitoring to ensure message coherence and adaptability to progress. He underscored the clarity of institutional roles through strategic alignment with the Vision's priorities. He further pointed out that the Vision's follow-up offices across entities serve as key partners for communication departments by supplying accurate data on efforts and projects, enabling more effective and professional messaging. The meeting aimed to reinforce the importance of linking government entities' content and achievements to national targets, refining media plans to serve broader strategic goals, and introducing governance frameworks for institutional communication. A documentary on Oman Vision 2040, presented by Abdullah Al Saidi, Communication Program Supervisor at the Follow-up Unit, highlighted key milestones in strategic communication efforts supporting the Vision's implementation. The film emphasized continuous and effective public engagement to ensure community interaction and support for Vision-related projects. The presentation also outlined stages in developing the Vision's communication identity, including unified messaging, official platform launches, digital presence enhancement, and media campaigns. It stressed the need for active, sustained dialogue with all societal segments to foster broad understanding and backing. On his turn, Prof. Abdullah Khamis Al Kindi, Member of the State Council and Head of the Media Department at Sultan Qaboos University, delivered a presentation on institutional integration in national reputation-building. He defined corporate communication as a system for information exchange between organizations and stakeholders, supporting strategic objectives and institutional identity. Al Kindi noted that corporate communication has evolved from a technical role to a strategic function focused on reputation management, crisis communication, and message alignment—particularly within Oman Vision 2040's framework. He addressed overlaps with marketing, public relations, and internal communication, emphasizing their collective role in shaping institutional image. He highlighted the importance of perception and reputation, advocating for continuous engagement, internal communication, and value-driven messaging. Challenges such as weak leadership, cultural disparities, and slow responsiveness were also discussed, with recommendations for strategic planning and skill development. On her turn, Samira Al Sarihi, Media Researcher at the GCC, presented a guide for communicators on applying Oman Vision 2040 in government media activities. The guide serves as a reference for planning communication initiatives tied to government projects, ensuring alignment with Vision priorities, national programs, and five-year development plans. Meanwhile, Zakiyah Al Balushi, Director of Planning and Studies at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, shared her entity's experience in aligning operations with Oman Vision 2040 targets. She outlined steps to enhance institutional transformation, including annual and five-year plans based on performance indicators linked to the Vision. The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion on improving media performance and institutional coordination to unify government messaging and support national priorities.
