Latest news with #MuscatGovernorate
Times of Oman
24-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Khuwair Square Project inaugurated in Muscat's Ministries District
MUSCAT: The Khuwair Square project was officially inaugurated in the Ministries District of Muscat, spanning an area of over 21,000 square meters. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat. The project features more than 9,000 square meters of lush green spaces, dedicated walking and cycling paths extending 435 meters, multiple seating areas, and a café with an open-air rooftop operated by Omani entrepreneurs. Additionally, the square includes public facilities and parking, making it an ideal destination for leisure, relaxation, and outdoor activities. Architectural elements reflecting Omani identity have been incorporated into the design, including traditional _Mashrabiya_ patterns, locally sourced _Desert Rose_ marble, and Nizwa stone. A striking feature of the square is a towering flagpole standing 126 meters high, constructed using 141 tons of steel, with the Omani flag measuring 25 meters in length and 44 meters in width waving above. Speaking at the inauguration, His Excellency Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi described the project as a significant addition to Muscat's public spaces, symbolizing both tradition and modernity. 'We hope this square will serve as a vibrant recreational space and a key attraction that enriches Muscat's urban landscape, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike," he stated. "It aligns with the governorate's vision to foster social connections and human-centered urban planning.' Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Hamidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, highlighted the project's role in shaping sustainable and dynamic public spaces that meet the aspirations of the community while integrating natural elements and Omani heritage.
Times of Oman
22-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Muscat celebrates Flag raising at the tallest flagpole in the Sultanate
Muscat: Muscat Governorate celebrated the inauguration of the tallest flagpole in the Sultanate of Oman 126 meters, under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, and in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Hamidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality. Muscat Municipality said: 'It is expected that Al Khuwair Square will become a prominent landmark in Muscat Governorate, with its sustainable and environmentally friendly elements, inspired by Omani identity. It will also be an ideal destination for recreation and practicing outdoor sports activities, as it contains modern facilities that meet the aspirations of the community.' The project spans an area of more than 21,000 square meters and, in addition to the towering flagpole, features various recreational facilities, including landscaped green spaces of 9000 square meters, with 57 type of trees, dedicated walking and cycling paths, an open-air art and handicraft exhibition, a skateboarding area, and a sports zone. The site is also equipped with public amenities such as restrooms and a parking lot with 107 spaces.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman opens consultancy bids for women and children centre in Sultan Haitham City
Oman's Ministry of Health has opened financial bids for the design and supervision consultancy contract for the upcoming National Women and Children Centre in Sultan Haitham City, Muscat Governorate. The tender, issued on 19 March 2025 and closed on 15 May, attracted bids from 26 local and international firms. The scope of the contract includes detailed design, construction management, and supervision services for the facilitity. Fifteen firms submitted financial bids as follows: Renardet SA and Partners Consulting Engineers OMR 5,597,86308 ($15 million) Sabla Architects Engineers Construction OMR 5,098,758 ($13 million) Maha Consulting Engineering OMR 1,963,21200 ($5 million) EHAF Consulting Engineers OMR 1,359,810 ($3.5 million) Advanced Engineering Consultants OMR 1,995,840 ($2 million) TAHPI OMR 2,453,855 ($4 million) Arabtech Jardaneh International OMR 2,273,762 ($5.9 million) Nicholson Jones Partnership Engineering Consultancy OMR 1,819,440 ($4.7 million) Al Sari Consulting and Investment OMR 1,993,530 ($5.2 million) Ibn Khaldun Almadaen Engineering Consultants OMR 4,572,650.250($12 million) Almanarah Engineering Consultancy OMR 2,321,760 ($6 million) Khatib and Alami and Partners Consulting Architects & Engineers and Services OMR 3,797,009.440 ($10 million) Ibrahim Jaidah Architects and Engineers OMR 2,705,158.114 ($7.02 million) Design Group Engineering Consultants OMR 3,014,649.330 ($7.8 million) Tusker Engineering Consultancy Group OMR 4,066,028.446 ($10.6 million) Renardet SA and Partners Consulting Engineers submitted the highest bid at 5.6 million Omani rials (nearly $15 million), while EHAF Consulting Engineers offered the lowest bid at OMR 1.36 million ($3.5 million). (Writing by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Zawya
26-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Development Bank portfolio reaches 509 educational loans totaling RO18.8mln by end of 2024
Muscat — Development Bank, a leading institution driving economic growth in Oman, had 509 active educational loans in its portfolio, totaling approximately RO18.8 million by the end of 2024. Backing a variety of initiatives across all governorates, the loans reinforce the bank's commitment to both strengthening and encouraging private sector investment in education. Commenting on the emphasis Development Bank has always placed on all levels of the education sector, Yousef Al Aweini, Director, SME Project Financing said: 'As Oman works towards the goals and ambitions of Oman Vision 2040, Development Bank is proud to support the efforts of His Majesty's government in enhancing public education and expanding learning opportunities. And I'm pleased to say that the bank's subsidized benefits and flexible repayment terms play an active role in encouraging private sector investment in this all-important sector. These loans are an investment in the young people of Oman, reflecting the bank's confidence in their potential and as they grow in knowledge and capabilities, together, as a nation, we can all grow.' According to Development Bank data, general secondary education received the largest share of the loan portfolio, amounting to approximately RO7 million across 34 loans. This was followed by university colleges with RO2.8 million for three loans, kindergartens with RO1.2 million for 101 loans alongside other educational activities. With a value of RO10.9 million, Muscat Governorate accounted for 58% of the total of this loan portfolio, followed by North Al Batinah with RO 3.2 million (17%) and Al Buraimi with RO 1.7 million (9%). In 2024, the total approved loans for the education sector reached RO12.8 million. Of this, general secondary education received the highest allocation at RO3.6 million across 13 loans, next was university colleges with RO3.5 million for a single loan. Additionally, four loans worth RO588,000 were approved for training services while 26 loans amounting to RO257,000 were granted for kindergarten activities. The year saw Muscat Governorate lead in approved loan allocations with 65% of the total, valued at RO8.3 million. This was followed by North Al Sharqiyah with RO2.3 million (18%) and North Al Batinah with RO1.1 million (9%). According to statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information the total number of private schools in Oman reached 994 end of the 2022/2023 academic year, accommodating 150,506 students and employing 13,607 teachers. Additionally, government expenditure on the education sector accounted for 16.5% of total public spending in 2023 with the average annual cost per student in public schools amounting to RO1,715. To promote private sector investment in education and ease the burden on the government, Development Bank continues to finance educational projects that contribute to the advancement of learning across the governorates. This is can be seen, for example, in the 510 buses funded by the bank as part of phase one of the School Bus Replacement Initiative, a 1,000-bus project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Duqm-based Karwa Motors, an Omani-Qatari investment. Since the project's launch in 2024 the bank has allocated RO11.4 million for this initiative. In the preschool education sector, statistics indicate that private schools are the primary providers of these services, with 37% of all schools offering preschool education in the 2023/2024 academic year.
Observer
25-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman's digital transformation progress reaches 73 per cent
MUSCAT: The National Government Digital Transformation Programme, known as "Tahweel," has achieved an overall performance rate of 73% by the end of November 2024, a significant increase from 53% in 2023. Government institutions demonstrated an average performance of 77% in meeting digital transformation requirements, while governorates averaged 71%. A total of 49 government entities and governorates were assessed as part of the transformation process. According to the annual report on digital transformation issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, government institutions have made remarkable progress in implementing digital transformation requirements. Four government entities — Muscat Governorate, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, the National Centre for Statistics and Information, and the Oman Investment Authority — achieved the advanced level for the first time, representing 8% of the total institutions evaluated. Additionally, 38 government entities, accounting for 78%, attained above-average performance, while six institutions (12%) reached the average level. Only one institution (2%) fell below average and none were classified at the low level. The report highlighted the top-performing service institutions in digital transformation, with Muscat Governorate, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, and the Royal Oman Police leading the rankings. Among non-service institutions, the Follow-up Unit for the Implementation of Oman Vision 2040, the National Centre for Statistics and Information, and the Oman Investment Authority were recognised as the best-performing entities. These institutions have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing digital efficiency and improving government services in line with international standards. Between 2021 and 2024, the government simplified procedures for 2,680 services out of a targeted 2,869, achieving a 93% completion rate. In 2024 alone, 481 services underwent simplification. Meanwhile, digitalisation efforts resulted in 1,700 services being digitised, including automated permit activities, out of a total 2,523 services targeted for digitisation by the end of 2025. This represents a 67% achievement rate for priority digital services, with 355 services digitised in 2024 alone. Recognising the importance of digital platforms in improving service accessibility, the report emphasised the role of digital initiatives in boosting efficiency across government institutions. In 2024, government entities developed and launched 11 new mobile applications designed to enhance service delivery for citizens and residents. Several key digital platforms were introduced, including the "Rehabilitation" platform by the Ministry of Social Development, the "Development" and "Amlak" platforms by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and the electronic portal for judicial services by the Supreme Judicial Council. Other significant platforms included the Environment Authority's "Naqi" National Air Quality Index, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' "Energy" platform, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion's "Hazm" and "Marouf Oman" platforms. Additionally, electronic portals were launched for Al Buraimi, Al Wusta, and Al Batinah South Governorates, reinforcing Oman's commitment to digital transformation under Oman Vision 2040. The report outlined major achievements in central digital projects, including the Unified Portal for Government Services, which is being developed to offer a centralised platform for all government services. By the end of 2024, the portal's development had reached 73% completion, with the first phase of user experience enhancements finalised and the design phase of a unified mobile application completed. A technical integration guide for the portal was introduced, alongside a strategy for developing digital content for government services. The portal's initial phase, integrating services from 10 government institutions, is expected to launch by the end of February. Oman's National Open Data Platform, which aims to centralise and publish open data across multiple sectors, has reached 63% completion. Testing and content reviews are currently underway, with 20 government institutions targeted in its first rollout. Additionally, integration efforts through the National Platform for Digital Integration have led to the exchange of over 471 million data records between January and November 2024, marking a 73% increase from the previous year. Since the platform's inception in 2017, approximately 1.4 billion records have been exchanged. The impact of Oman's digital transformation is evident in the sharp rise in e-government transactions. Between January and November 2024, over 26.9 million government transactions were completed digitally, compared to 9.4 million in 2023. The number of institutions implementing technical solutions for remote access increased to 88% in 2024, up from 56% in 2023. Furthermore, 267 automated government services were introduced, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Beneficiary satisfaction with digital services across 48 government institutions averaged 77% in 2024. The number of institutions with an approved change management plan for digital transformation rose to 55%, a substantial increase from 17% in 2023. — ONA
