Latest news with #NasserbinRashidalMaawali
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
National roadmap to drive Oman's circular economy transition
Muscat – Oman has begun preparing a national roadmap for the circular economy, marking a key step in aligning its economic model with sustainability goals and low-carbon development. Ministry of Economy hosted the second workshop of the Circular Economy Gap Calculation Project on Monday to review initial results and consult stakeholders on the proposed strategy. The roadmap aims to serve as a guiding framework for policy integration and resource management in the coming decades. The project also seeks to define a baseline for measuring the circular economy gap and comparing Oman's performance with international benchmarks. It will assess how far the country is from adopting a circular model and provide tools to measure the environmental and economic impacts of new policies, including the creation of green jobs. H E Dr Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Undersecretary in Ministry of Economy, said the initiative is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. 'This national project will support sustainable, low-carbon development and create investment opportunities in renewable energy and the green economy.' Ahmed bin Saeed al Siyabi, Director General of Economic Policies and Programmes at the ministry, said the workshop was designed to discuss early findings and showcase models for measuring the outcomes of circular economy strategies. He also highlighted training programmes and a proposed digital platform that will display project data and outcomes. During the session, participants reviewed preliminary models and scenarios focused on the environmental and labour-market impacts of implementing circular economy practices. Group discussions were held to evaluate sector-specific strategies and refine the roadmap's policy recommendations. The workshop was part of wider consultations with government entities, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society. The ministry is working with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah) and the Circle Economy Foundation to implement the project. The project reflects Oman's broader ambition to shift away from traditional linear consumption patterns and meet its carbon neutrality target by 2050. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
21-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
National roadmap to drive Oman's circular economy transition
Muscat – Oman has begun preparing a national roadmap for the circular economy, marking a key step in aligning its economic model with sustainability goals and low-carbon development. Ministry of Economy hosted the second workshop of the Circular Economy Gap Calculation Project on Monday to review initial results and consult stakeholders on the proposed strategy. The roadmap aims to serve as a guiding framework for policy integration and resource management in the coming decades. The project also seeks to define a baseline for measuring the circular economy gap and comparing Oman's performance with international benchmarks. It will assess how far the country is from adopting a circular model and provide tools to measure the environmental and economic impacts of new policies, including the creation of green jobs. H E Dr Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Undersecretary in Ministry of Economy, said the initiative is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. 'This national project will support sustainable, low-carbon development and create investment opportunities in renewable energy and the green economy.' Ahmed bin Saeed al Siyabi, Director General of Economic Policies and Programmes at the ministry, said the workshop was designed to discuss early findings and showcase models for measuring the outcomes of circular economy strategies. He also highlighted training programmes and a proposed digital platform that will display project data and outcomes. Ahmed bin Saeed al Siyabi, Director General of Economic Policies and Programmes During the session, participants reviewed preliminary models and scenarios focused on the environmental and labour-market impacts of implementing circular economy practices. Group discussions were held to evaluate sector-specific strategies and refine the roadmap's policy recommendations. The workshop was part of wider consultations with government entities, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society. The ministry is working with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah) and the Circle Economy Foundation to implement the project. The project reflects Oman's broader ambition to shift away from traditional linear consumption patterns and meet its carbon neutrality target by 2050.
Observer
21-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman charts path to circular economy with groundbreaking initiative
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Economy on Monday hosted the second workshop on the 'Circular Economy Gap Calculation Project,' an ambitious national initiative designed to pave the way for Oman's transition towards a circular economy. The project will culminate in the development of a comprehensive roadmap, reinforcing the Sultanate of Oman's long-term sustainability goals. Dr Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, described the project as the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. He said it aligns with Oman's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 'This vital initiative is centred on three main goals,' he noted. 'Establishing a national baseline to measure our circular economy gap, benchmarking against other countries, and designing a tailored roadmap to empower national capacities in both public and private sectors.' Al Maawali underlined the strategic value of this project in achieving sustainable, low-carbon economic growth. He said it would also open new investment avenues in green sectors such as renewable energy and the wider green economy. Ahmed bin Saeed al Siyabi, Director General of Economic Policies and Programs, opened the workshop with a detailed presentation on the project's preliminary findings. He explained that the workshop aimed to assess the initial baseline calculations for various sectors and introduced related initiatives such as training programmes and an interactive platform to showcase results. These insights were complemented by early modelling on how circular economy policies could affect environmental and economic indicators—including job creation. Attendees participated in breakout discussions, exploring real-life scenarios and modelling the possible outcomes of implementing circular economy strategies. Visual presentations also highlighted the progress made in assessing the circular economy gap, sparking dialogue among participants from government, private industry, academia, and civil society. The Ministry of Economy is leading the project in collaboration with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah), the Netherlands-based Circle Economy, and other technical partners. The initiative underscores the strategic importance of shifting away from a traditional, linear model of economic growth toward one rooted in efficiency, resource recycling, and waste minimisation. As Oman continues to diversify its economy, the circular model is expected to play a critical role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future. — ONA
Observer
04-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
'New US tariffs may have a relatively limited impact on Oman'
Muscat: President Donald Trump unveiled his most expansive tariffs to date in a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday afternoon. He said he would impose a 10 percent tariff on all trading partners, including Oman, and double-digit 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of other countries that administration officials said had maltreated the United States. Dr. Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said in a social media post that the new US tariffs may have a relatively limited and non-threatening impact on the Sultanate's economy in the medium and long term, especially since US imports of oil, gas, and refined products are exempt from the new tariffs. "The impact on the Sultanate's economy may come through several channels, including disruption of global trade, slowdown in global economic growth, and other channels. However, the high US tariffs on other countries provide a golden opportunity for the Sultanate of Oman by expanding its trade relations with trading partners affected by US tariffs. There is also an opportunity to enhance foreign investment in the Sultanate and strengthen supply chains from other countries negatively affected by the imposition of high US tariffs. The Sultanate's position and strategic location can be leveraged to serve as a transit and launch point to the US market for countries subject to high tariffs." In December 2024, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Oman-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The agreement has fostered a favorable environment for American investors in Oman's energy, logistics, and infrastructure sectors, boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) and bilateral trade. Bilateral trade has seen steady growth, exceeding RO 1.15 billion (USD 3 billion) annually since 2021. As of May 2024, the total trade volume stood at RO 412.6 million, with Omani exports to the US reaching RO 197.6 million—a 14.6% increase from 2023. The US holds key positions in Oman's trade: 5th largest destination for Omani non-oil exports (as of May 2024). 9th largest source of imports (as of September 2024).
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Integrated clusters key to fuelling Oman's economic diversification
MUSCAT: The establishment of an integrated economic cluster model is key to achieving economic diversification, attracting investments and supporting employment creation, according to Dr Nasser bin Rashid al Maawali, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy. In an interview with Oman Arabic, the sister Arabic paper of Oman Daily Observer, Dr Al Maawali said the clusters in question are part of the government's National Economic Diversification Strategy, incorporated within the TANWEEA programme, under the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025). Shedding light on the programme, the Under-Secretary said: 'The national economy, guided by objectives set out in Oman Vision 2040, aims to achieve an economic transformation by focusing on diversification based on technology, knowledge and innovation. To accelerate the pace of economic diversification, Oman, under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, has launched the National Programme for Diversification (TANWEEA), which focuses on enhancing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the national economy. The programme emphasizes promising sectors such as tourism, manufacturing and technology, aiming to create a significant shift towards a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and global competitiveness. This strategy strengthens Oman's ability to adapt to global economic changes and achieve economic sustainability.' The TANWEEA Programme, Dr Al Maawali stated, serves as a strategic pillar in Oman's efforts to achieve economic diversification and strengthen the national economy as part of Oman Vision 2040. It promotes integration between different economic sectors through policies and executive programmes that attract new investments and identify promising investment opportunities, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Besides supporting Oman's Tenth Five-Year Plan, TANWEEA also aligns with the goals of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, focusing on utilising Oman's comparative advantages and developing underutilised sectors. Among the programme's key outcomes is the launch of strategic projects, such as the economic and financial framework study conducted by the Ministry of Economy regarding Oman's transition away from oil and gas by 2050. The study aims to set supportive policies for developing promising sectors like fisheries, mining industries and green hydrogen, alongside developing integrated infrastructure initiatives such as ports and logistics supply chains. Additionally, the programme proposes the establishment of five integrated economic clusters in various regions to boost development and attract investments. The first is the Najd Agricultural Cluster in Dhofar, which aims to establish an agricultural-industrial food city to enhance food security. Announced in 2023, the initiative is spearheaded by OIA's investment arm Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The cluster aims to develop a comprehensive economic system by integrating all industrial, logistical and agricultural facilities. Likewise, the Duqm Logistics Cluster within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), seeks to leverage Duqm's deep-sea port, airport, road infrastructure combined with its proximity to Middle Eastern, East African and Indian markets, to attract global investments in logistics and industry. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
