Latest news with #KhalidAlKush
Observer
25-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
CPA ratchets up market oversight as Eid nears
Muscat: With the Eid Al Fitr a few days away, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) is intensifying its oversight efforts across the country to control markets with a focus on the sectors that usually see increased demand during the season. The move is aimed at monitoring prices of services and commodities and preventing any exploitation due to increased demand from the part of traders and service providers. The CPA applies multiple mechanisms including comparing prices with purchase invoices, conducting periodic inspection and taking samples if need be. It also keeps an eye on e-commerce through a specialized team that monitors digital accounts in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion to address complaints. Regarding promotional offers, the CPA monitors permits, actual discount rates, and product availability throughout the sales period. It urges consumers to shop consciously, verify the authenticity of offers and websites and avert impulsive purchases. The CPA affirms its commitment to protecting consumer rights and fostering a fair commercial environment, urging consumers to communicate via its official channels for any complaints or inquiries. Text by Mai al Ghadaniyah and translated by Khalid Al Kush
Observer
19-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Over RO 11 m provided in social assistance benefits in 2024
Muscat: The Ministry of Social Development announced its achievements in 2024 and its future plans in the areas of welfare and integration of people with disabilities. This was unveiled at a briefing held on Wednesday in the presence of Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development. The Ministry reviewed six main targets it had accomplished within Oman Vision 2040 out of 32 targets, including electronic connectivity with the population base and the Central Bank and relevant authorities. The goals also include the preparation of a national guide for engineering specifications for urban environments and transportation for people with disabilities, the preparation of a guide for quality standards for services provided to people with disabilities, the completion of the intervention and referral system for domestic violence, the establishment and completion of a donation platform or charitable work portal and the development of guidelines for regulating integrated early childhood centres. The Ministry revealed that the total social assistance benefits disbursed in 2024 amounted to RO 11,968,546, provided to 102,167 cases. The Ministry also indicated that a total of 1,635 beneficiaries received job-related training between 2020 and the end of 2024 including 234 in 2024. The Ministry also provided 675 job opportunities in the public and private sectors for individuals from social protection and low-income families and people with disabilities between 2020 and 2025, including 92 job opportunities provided in 2024. This is in addition to 86 cases who received support to start home-based businesses at a total amount of RO 46,558. The Ministry of Social Development said it oversees 119 government, private, and community rehabilitation centres including 19 newly-opened centres bringing the number of beneficiaries to 8,893. The ministry distributed 28,111 prosthetic devices between 2020 to the end of 2024 including 10,795 in 2024. The Ministry said that the number of beneficiaries of assistance provided by the Social Development Committees and their volunteer teams reached 317,463 at a cost of RO 25,506,062. The Joud Charity Platform has received 168,747 donors with total donations to initiatives amounting to RO 2,551,923 while the total donations to relief campaigns amounted to RO 174,213. The text is translated by Khalid Al Kush and written by Ohoud Al Jilaniyah Photos by Abdul Wahid al Hamdani
Observer
17-03-2025
- Science
- Observer
National Museum showcases unique Islamic artworks in Sharjah
Muscat: The National Museum opened an Islamic arts exhibition at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, on Monday. The exhibition showcases 82 unique artworks representing the development of Islamic art and the contributions of Muslim scholars throughout the ages. The exhibition, which will run until May 3, displays rare artifacts including a handwritten copy of the holy Qur'an dating back to 1074 AH and the first Mongolian dirham minted in Baghdad after the Mongol occupation. The exhibition includes three main sections: Calligraphy, Science and Innovation, and Cultural Diversity and Harmony. It also highlights the importance of Islamic arts in the scientific and artistic fields across history and embodies the deep ties between the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman within the framework of cultural cooperation. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore a rich cultural heritage and reflects the ability of Islamic civilization to influence various fields. The text is translated by Khalid Al Kush and written by Amer Al Ansari
Observer
17-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
45,000 job opportunities for nationals this year
Muscat: Ministry of Labour reviewed its achievements for 2024 and its objectives for 2025, stressing that it is carry on with its efforts to upgrade the labour market and provide employment opportunities for nationals. Speaking at the ministry's annual press conference held on Monday, Dr Mahad bin Said Ba'owain, Minister of Labour, confirmed that the operational plan for 2025 targets to provide 45,000 job opportunities including 11,000 for training and qualification, 10,000 in government establishments and 24,000 in the private sector. The noted that the Ministry is focused on supporting work-related training and wage subsidies for small and medium enterprises. The ministry reviewed three projects that employ artificial intelligence to improve smart management and provide funding for the pilot phases of these projects. The conference addressed the National Employment Programme which seeks to integrate education outcomes with labour market needs with a focus on developing new technologies to improve the system such as the Tawteen (nationalization) and Khuta (steps) platforms. The Ministry underscored the role of technology in expediting the provision of job opportunities through digital tools that enhance the effectiveness of programme implementation. The ministry said it had reinforced qualitative job nationalization initiatives by employing talented Omanis in senior and middle-level positions and establishing specialized companies to support employment in vital sectors. The minister said that the ministry is developing human capital in the state's administrative apparatus as well as building national capabilities and enhancing talent management. In addition, the ministry is taking final steps in the digital transformation strategy through the implementation of the smart administration project in cooperation with the private sector. The ministry is also designing three pilot applications to test artificial intelligence solutions, creating a visual identity and knowledge base, launching a waiting list initiative promoting the best practices in the digital transformation of human resources. The minister said that the National Employment Programme seeks to find sustainable solutions to provide job opportunities in the public and private sectors and seeks to achieve integration and alignment between educational outcomes and the actual labour market requirements. The National Employment Programme has focused on ensuring the availability of the necessary enablers to achieve the desired goals of the main initiatives. Besides, a set of measures are in place to enhance support for all partners involved in the education, training, and employment systems. Text is translated by Khalid Al Kush and written by Hamdan Al Sharqi
