Latest news with #MemberStates
Muscat Daily
10 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Anti-dumping duties on ceramic tiles to help Omani industry
Muscat – Oman has implemented anti-dumping duties on imports of ceramic and porcelain tiles from India and China. The move, announced by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion on May 29, follows an investigation into complaints from local manufacturers that imported tiles were being sold below production cost, undermining domestic producers. The measure has received broad support from business leaders and industry experts, who view it as essential to protect Oman's manufacturing sector and counter what they describe as predatory pricing by foreign exporters. Dr Ahmed bin Said al Jahwari, legal consultant and expert in trade law, told Muscat Daily that the tariffs are based on the Unified Law on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures for GCC Member States, issued under Royal Decree No. 20/2015. Dr Ahmed bin Said al Jahwari 'The law defines dumping as the export of goods to GCC markets at prices lower than their normal value under standard trading conditions,' Jahwari said. 'Such practices harm domestic industries by creating an uneven playing field.' He added that the decision would help stabilise the local market and protect Omani products from artificially cheap imports. According to him, the move is expected to encourage greater investment in local manufacturing and improve the competitiveness of domestic producers. 'As competition shifts from pricing to product quality, local manufacturers will be motivated to upgrade technologies and improve efficiency,' he said. 'This will enhance the sector's performance and ensure fairer market conditions.' The duties are also expected to support investor confidence, with officials stating that the issuance of this decision reflects Oman's commitment to a transparent and rules-based business environment. 'We wholeheartedly welcome the government's timely intervention,' said investor Hamed al Rawahi. 'It will restore confidence among local producers and support investment in innovation and job creation.' Economic analyst Khalfan al Touqi said the duties do not amount to protectionism. 'Selling products below cost distorts fair competition and threatens local industry,' he said. 'Oman is sending a clear signal that it will defend its manufacturing base.' He noted that domestic tile producers have long struggled to compete with subsidised imports. 'The new duties will give them space to grow and invest. These measures are standard tools in international trade and are fully in line with WTO rules,' Touqi said. The ministry confirmed that the anti-dumping duties will remain in force for five years, subject to periodic reviews based on market conditions and the behaviour of exporters.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
A Call to Action to End Cholera in Africa by 2030
On 4 June 2025, twenty African Union Member States most affected by cholera convened for an extraordinary high-level meeting, following a call by Africa CDC and under the leadership of H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, AU Champion on Cholera. This historic gathering of Heads of State and Government marked a turning point in the fight against cholera across the continent. Leaders endorsed a unified Call-to-Action to eliminate cholera in Africa by 2030—anchored in national ownership, local vaccine production, integrated WASH systems, and coordinated continental response. Africa CDC is committed to supporting Member States and partners to turn this political resolve into measurable action, securing Africa's health sovereignty and ending cholera once and for all. Download the Call-to-Action here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Malay Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Palestinian flag to fly at WHO after key vote at World Health Assembly, Malaysia among backers
GENEVA, May 27 — The World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday voted in favour of allowing the flags of non-member observer states to be raised at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters and offices, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The move clears the way for the Palestinian flag to be flown alongside those of WHO member states. The decision was approved with 95 votes in favour, four against – Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany – and 27 abstentions. According to the resolution, the flags of non-member observer states at the UN will be placed after WHO member states, in alphabetical order. It also states that this move does not imply membership status in the organisation. Discussions focused on the Palestinian flag specifically, with UN General Assembly Resolution 70/15 cited as the legal basis. The draft resolution was proposed by 20 countries, including Malaysia, Algeria, Indonesia, Turkiye, and several Arab and African states. — Bernama-Anadolu
See - Sada Elbalad
15-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
OIC Urges Member States to Accelerate Trade, Investment Initiatives
Mohamed Mandour The 41st Follow-up Committee Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) was held in Ankara, Republic of Türkiye. In his message to the meeting, Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the OIC, provided an overview of recent developments in the economic and commercial domains across the OIC Member States. The Secretary-General further urged all OIC Member States to actively participate at the forthcoming Tenth OIC Ministerial Conferences on Food Security and Agricultural Development, to be held in the Republic of Chad; the Sixth Islamic Conference of Labor Ministers (ICLM), to be held in the State of Qatar; the Second Ministerial Conference on Transportation in OIC Member States, to be held in the Republic of Türkiye, the Second OIC Ministerial Conference on Energy, to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the OIC Investment Forum in Africa, to be held in the Republic of Mali. These events aim to adopt various programs and projects to strengthen intra-OIC cooperation in the field of agriculture and food security, labor and employment, transportation, as well as trade and investment. The Meeting reviewed the status of implementation of various projects under the COMCEC, focusing on trade and investment, agriculture, tourism and financial development, transportation, the private sector and poverty alleviation. Additionally, the meeting approved the draft agenda of the 41st General Assembly of COMCEC, scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, on 1st -4th November 2025. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan reaffirms SCO commitment
A video journalist films flags of countries participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting, outside the venue in Goa, India May 4, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday reiterated Pakistan's commitment to constructive engagement within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He stressed the importance of mutually beneficial collaboration, particularly in the areas of bilateral trade, transport and regional connectivity. The deputy prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with Secretary General of the SCO, Nurlan Yermekbayev, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan. Dar congratulated Yermekbayev on assuming responsibilities as the new secretary general of the SCO and assured him of Pakistan's full support for the SCO secretariat. He highlighted Pakistan's close historical ties with SCO member states and reaffirmed the country's dedication to upholding the "Shanghai Spirit". He also lauded the SCO's potential as a platform for promoting regional peace and security, as well as for fostering economic development across the region. In this context, the deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan's constructive involvement in fostering mutually beneficial cooperation within the SCO framework, particularly in the domains of bilateral trade, transport and connectivity. Secretary General Yermekbayev thanked Pakistan for its warm hospitality and appreciated the country's active engagement in SCO affairs. He specifically praised Pakistan's successful hosting of the Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO Member States (SCO CHG) held in Islamabad in October 2024.
