Latest news with #Muscat
Times of Oman
40 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Commerce Minister meets entrepreneurs in vehicle repair, maintenance sector
Muscat: Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, met on Tuesday at the Ministry's headquarters with a number of entrepreneurs working in the vehicle repair and maintenance sector. This meeting is part of a series of direct engagements conducted by the Ministry to enhance communication with small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, in line with its efforts to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen the business environment in the Sultanate of Oman. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with partners, including the SMEs Development Authority (Riyada), Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Khazaen Economic City. The meeting addressed key challenges facing workshop owners and businesses in this vital sector, including unfair competition under the guise of concealed trade. The Ministry confirmed that it has taken several legal measures against violating companies by implementing the first phase of Ministerial Decision No. 412/2023 on combating concealed trade, which covered three governorates (Muscat, Dhofar, and North Al Batinah). The second phase of the decision will be rolled out in the coming period. The discussion also touched on challenges related to obtaining land usufruct rights for conducting economic activities in vehicle repair and maintenance, as well as financing difficulties for projects in this sector, including personal and housing loans for entrepreneurs. The importance of digitizing all government services was also highlighted. For his part, Mubarak Mohammed Al Dohani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, emphasized that this meeting aligns with the Ministry's policy of opening direct dialogue channels with economic activity owners. A series of meetings will be held in the coming period with entrepreneurs from various sectors to understand their challenges and proposals for developing and enhancing the national economy. He noted that the vehicle repair and maintenance sector represents a key link in the value chain of Oman's automotive market, offering vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment. He added that the Ministry is keen on activating the business environment and improving the competitiveness of service activities, including vehicle repair, in which citizens account for over 93% of participation. The Ministry, in coordination with its partners in industrial cities such as Khazaen, is working to facilitate the transition to organized and sustainable work environments that enable SMEs to grow and thrive. Entrepreneur Nasser Nasrallah Al Fahdi presented a working paper detailing his personal experience in establishing and managing a vehicle repair workshop, along with the challenges he faced since starting in 2016. He also shared his success story and continuous efforts to develop his workshop to keep pace with market advancements, despite financial and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, representatives of Khazaen Economic City delivered a visual presentation highlighting investment opportunities available in the Khazaen Market for vehicle spare parts, repair, and maintenance. This integrated project aims to regulate the sector, provide an ideal and safe environment for workshops and craftsmen, and link services with modern logistical facilities. The presentation also noted the market's comprehensive infrastructure, which includes dedicated auto repair units, spare parts showrooms, and support services, all within a regulatory framework that accounts for population and urban growth in South Al Batinah Governorate and neighboring areas. Data released by the Information and Statistics Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion indicates that the number of licensed companies in vehicle repair and maintenance activities exceeded 13,500 by June 2025, distributed across various governorates of Oman. Muscat Governorate leads with 3,690 establishments, followed by North Al Batinah (2,226 establishments) and Dhofar (1,941 establishments). The data also reveals that the most common activities are vehicle electrical repair (3,651 establishments), vehicle mechanics (2,363 establishments), and oil change services (1,441 establishments). Meanwhile, full Omani ownership accounts for over 95% in most of these activities.
Times of Oman
an hour ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Efforts to improve key water projects in Seeb discussed
Muscat: Within the framework of cooperation and strengthening community partnership between government entities and private institutions, His Excellency Ahmed bin Ali bin Hamdan Al Shehhi, Wali of Seeb, discussed with representatives of Nama Water Services the progress of the implemented projects in Al Sharadi area, Al Ghushaiba on Tuesday. During the meeting, several topics of common interest and challenges faced in implementing current projects were reviewed. As well as, appropriate solutions to solve them to ensure the projects' continuance and fulfil the population's requirements. Both sides agreed to implement various supportive procedures to develop the services and achieve the desired purposes according to the highest standards. These efforts reflect the interest of the relevant entities to improve the quality of water services and its sustainable offering.
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Programme launched to develop youth skills
Muscat: The Youth Centre, in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada), has launched a package of entrepreneurial programmes aimed at developing youth skills across various sectors, including agriculture, maritime affairs, logistics, technology and handicrafts. These youth programmes target individuals aged 15 to 34 in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with each governorate hosting programmes tailored to its specific nature. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme aims to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills in the agricultural sector and introduce them to promising opportunities within this field. Meanwhile, the Maritime Entrepreneurship Programme seeks to develop entrepreneurial skills among youth in the maritime domain by leveraging Oman's natural resources and strategic location. In the technical field, the Technology Entrepreneurship Programme focuses on enabling participants to invest their technological skills and transform them into scalable tech projects. Furthermore, the Logistics Entrepreneurship Programme emphasizes empowering youth to innovate sustainable entrepreneurial projects in the logistics sector, enhancing their practical skills in areas such as storage and e-commerce. The Craft Entrepreneurship Programme has been introduced to utilise craftsmanship and artistic skills in building innovative entrepreneurial projects that preserve cultural identity, demonstrating a commitment to offering specialised programmes. Additionally, a programme for youth has been dedicated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to foster the concept of independent work among the 15-17 age group. As part of the diversification of programmes offered, the Youth Camp (Design and Packaging) programme was launched, aiming to provide participants with essential skills in modern product design and packaging, aligning with market demands. It is worth noting that the number of beneficiaries from the Youth Center's programmes reached 56,953 young men and women by the end of last June.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Youth programmes launched in agricultural, maritime and technical sectors
Muscat— The Youth Center, in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada), has launched a package of entrepreneurial programmes aimed at developing youth skills across various sectors, including agriculture, maritime affairs, logistics, technology and handicrafts. These youth programmes target individuals aged 15 to 34 in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with each governorate hosting programmes tailored to its specific nature. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme aims to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills in the agricultural sector and introduce them to promising opportunities within this field. Meanwhile, the Maritime Entrepreneurship Programme seeks to develop entrepreneurial skills among youth in the maritime domain by leveraging Oman's natural resources and strategic location. In the technical field, the Technology Entrepreneurship Programme focuses on enabling participants to invest their technological skills and transform them into scalable tech projects. Furthermore, the Logistics Entrepreneurship Programme emphasizes empowering youth to innovate sustainable entrepreneurial projects in the logistics sector, enhancing their practical skills in areas such as storage and e-commerce. The Craft Entrepreneurship Programme has been introduced to utilize craftsmanship and artistic skills in building innovative entrepreneurial projects that preserve cultural identity, demonstrating a commitment to offering specialized programs. Additionally, a programme for youth has been dedicated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to foster the concept of independent work among the 15-17 age group. As part of the diversification of programmes offered, the Youth Camp (Design and Packaging) programme was launched, aiming to provide participants with essential skills in modern product design and packaging, aligning with market demands. It is worth noting that the number of beneficiaries from the Youth Center's programmes reached 56,953 young men and women by the end of last June.
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Total oil exports of Oman exceeds 126 million barrels till May 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's total oil exports declined by 2.3% by the end of May 2025, reaching 126,056.900 barrels, compared to 128,991.500 barrels during the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) . The data showed that the average price of crude oil dropped by 6.9%, reaching $75.2 per barrel by the end of May 2025, down from $80.8 in the same period last year. Data also showed that average daily oil production decreased to 987,600 barrels per day by the end of May 2025, compared to 996,100 barrels per day during the same period in 2024. The total oil production of the Sultanate of Oman declined by 1.5%, reaching 149,133.700 barrels till the end of May 2025, compared to 151,401.200 barrels in the same period last year.
