Latest news with #HamadbinAlialNazwani
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Inaugural Ibn Firnas Summit on drone technology held in Muscat
Muscat – Chinese drone manufacturer DJI's Matrice 400 (M400) was launched in Oman on Monday during the inaugural Ibn Firnas Summit in Muscat. Organised by Ibn Firnas Drone Center in partnership with Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the summit was held under the patronage of Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Undersecretary for Housing. It highlighted recent advances in drone technology and application of these in urban planning, infrastructure and smart city development. A live demonstration showcased the M400's capabilities in aerial surveying, 3D mapping and use across sectors such as utilities, energy, telecommunications, agriculture and security. Mohammed bin Abdullah al Harthy, CEO of Ibn Firnas Drone Center which is the exclusive DJI dealer in Oman, described the summit was a turning point in creating a national framework for drone technology. 'Our role extends beyond supplying drones. Through Firnas Academy, Firnas Innovation Lab and our technical support facility – the first of its kind in Oman – we are developing skills, solutions and expertise for the drone sector,' he said. Technical sessions addressed practical uses of drones in water, electricity and telecommunications. Officials from Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Nama Group and Omantel shared examples of how drones can improve efficiency, cut costs and speed up projects in support of smart city initiatives. A panel discussion featuring Ibn Firnas Drone Center, DJI and the Civil Aviation Authority officials examined future regulations and the role of drones in national development. Ferdinand Ma, Regional Partnerships Manager for Middle East and North Africa at DJI, said Oman's decision to launch the M400 reflects growing confidence in the drones market. 'Our partnership with Ibn Firnas Drone Center allows us to deliver integrated solutions and reinforces Oman's position as a regional hub for this industry.' Since its establishment, Ibn Firnas Drone Center has completed more than 200 projects covering sales, training, maintenance, industrial applications and anti-drone technologies, supplied over 1,000 drones and logged more than 7,000 flight hours. The Ibn Firnas Summit is expected to be held annually, serving as a platform for collaborations and knowledge exchange in line with Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman boosts food security, industry, with new land deals
Muscat, May 20 As part of the ongoing efforts to promote investment and optimise the use of government land, the second day of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition witnessed the signing of 46 usufruct contracts worth over RO 9 million. These agreements cover a variety of sectors that support the national economy. The agreements were signed by Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, in the presence of several representatives from relevant entities and investment partners. Among the agreements, 33 contracts were in the food security sector, covering an area exceeding 1,325 acres, and 12 contracts were allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector, spanning over 10,000 square metres. Additionally, a contract was signed to establish a specialised sports academy on an area exceeding 26,000 square metres, reflecting support for sports infrastructure and youth sector investment. YOUTH FORUM On Tuesday, A Youth Forum was organised with the participation of a group of young Omani professionals who played a significant role in shaping and implementing the National Urban Development Strategy projects. The forum provided an opportunity to highlight achievements in recent years and reaffirm the importance of empowering youth and involving them in planning future cities in ways that reflect the aspirations of the new generation and ensure sustainable development across all governorates. During the event, the ministry honoured the three winning teams from the Housing Design Innovation Lab for their effective contributions in developing innovative housing designs that meet sustainability standards and reflect a deep understanding of Oman's geographic diversity. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part. The lab is one of the ministry's initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the government and academic institutions by involving university and college students specialising in architecture and civil engineering. The goal is to develop advanced design solutions for social housing projects tailored to coastal, mountainous and desert environments, integrating artificial intelligence concepts into urban planning and analysis processes. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part in the lab. They were divided into 14 teams and worked on creating advanced housing models that address environmental and financial sustainability challenges while meeting the needs of modern lifestyles.
Observer
13-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
RO 1.8 million usufruct deals to boost agricultural and livestock sectors
MUSCAT: In a strategic move to enhance food security and promote self-sufficiency, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has signed 11 usufruct contracts for agricultural and livestock projects with a total investment value exceeding RO 1.8 million. The agreements cover an estimated 800 acres of land distributed across various governorates in Oman. The newly signed contracts are aimed at enabling investors to develop high-quality agricultural and livestock ventures that will boost local production, improve land-use efficiency and integrate advanced farming technologies. These initiatives are expected to strengthen food supply chains while creating new economic opportunities in the targeted regions. The projects span the governorates of Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Dakhiliyah and Musandam. They include a range of activities such as citrus cultivation and production, broiler poultry breeding, the development of an animal feed centre, greenhouse vegetable farming; and the production and marketing of golden onions. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing and Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Agriculture. — ONA
Muscat Daily
13-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman signs RO1.8mn contracts in agriculture, livestock sectors
Muscat – In a bid to enhance food security and encourage private sector investments in agriculture, the government has signed 11 usufruct agreements for agricultural and livestock projects valued at over RO1.8mn. The contracts, covering about 325 hectares of land across five governorates, were signed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The signing ceremony was attended by H E Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Undersecretary for Housing, and H E Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agriculture. The initiative is aimed at increasing local food production, improving land use, and integrating modern farming techniques into agricultural and livestock operations. The agreements are expected to strengthen Oman's food supply chain and contribute to the development of the rural economy. 'The goal is to create viable and sustainable agricultural and livestock projects that align with national food security strategies and generate employment opportunities,' said officials at the signing. The projects are spread across the governorates of North Batinah, South Batinah, North Sharqiyah, Dakhliyah and Musandam. They cover a wide range of activities including citrus farming, broiler poultry production, development of animal feed crops, greenhouse vegetable cultivation, and the production and marketing of golden onions.
Observer
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Bahla Equestrian Festival brings riders from various governorates
BAHLA: The 4th edition of Bahla Equestrian Festival was held in the Wilayat of Bahla. Organised by Bahla Equestrian Society in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, the event saw a large turnout of riders from different governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Shaikh Hilal bin Said al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, said that Bahla Equestrian Festival contributes to reviving Omani heritage and highlighting the role of equestrian events in consolidating the country's cultural identity. The festival features traditional horse shows, including Al Ardha (a traditional form of horsemanship) and children's competitions aimed to spread the culture of horsemanship among young generations. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing. - ONA
