Latest news with #NorthSharqiyah
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Omani startup opens the door to success with palm waste
Omani entrepreneur Khalid al Khalifan turns palm waste into a successful global venture of manufacturing durable doors In a rare industrial breakthrough from the Arab world, an Omani entrepreneur has turned agricultural waste into a commercially viable business, earning global recognition for his efforts to recycle discarded palm fronds into high-quality building materials. Khalid Mohammed Ahmed al Khalifan, a native of the Wilayat of Ibra in North Sharqiyah, is the founder of Oman PVC, the only factory in the region producing doors, flooring, and decorative panels from palm tree waste. His innovation was awarded a national patent in 2021 by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. In an exclusive interview with Muscat Daily, Khalid said he began his professional journey as a technician in the private sector before launching an aluminium unit focused on doors, windows and kitchen fittings. In 2019, he ventured into entrepreneurship, motivated by a desire to use locally available resources more effectively. 'Through this door project, we hope to spread a culture of recycling among young people, encourage people to dispose of waste in designated places, use reusable shopping bags, and raise awareness of the dangers of plastic waste and the need to recycle palm waste to increase national income,' he said. Explaining the production process, Khalid said,'It wasn't easy. We began by collecting around 50 tonnes of palm fronds, which we ground, treated with chemicals, and pressed using high-temperature machines. After several iterations, we finally succeeded in producing our first door from palm frond waste.' He said international exposure, particularly visits to Asia and Europe to study manufacturing techniques, helped overcome early technical challenges. The company's products are engineered to endure high temperatures, ultraviolet radiation and coastal humidity. They are also fire-resistant, due to the chlorine content in the materials, and contain antioxidants and iodine salts that improve resilience. 'According to a recent study, 37 per cent of the energy used in homes is lost through doors and windows,' Khalid said. 'Choosing our wood-plastic doors would be the ideal choice to reduce the amount of heat lost.' Despite growing interest in his products, he acknowledged several challenges, including fluctuating global market conditions, difficulties in accessing financing, and increasing electricity costs. Khalid urged young entrepreneurs to base their ideas on solid research, remain patient, and think originally. He also encouraged them to seek institutional support to further their goals. 'We advise young people to seize opportunities, avoid imitations, and support local innovation by attending conferences and seminars,' he added. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
Muscat book fair ends, sees over 649,000 visitors
Muscat – The 29th Muscat International Book Fair concluded on Saturday with 649,589 booklovers visiting its stalls at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year's edition was one of the largest to date, featuring 674 publishing houses from 35 countries. Of these, 640 participated directly, while 34 were represented through local and regional agencies. The event's digital catalogue listed more than 681,000 titles – including 467,413 Arabic books and 213,610 in other languages – underscoring the fair's global appeal. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ahmed bin Saud al Rawahi, Director of the fair, said it has played a vital role in promoting reading culture and enhancing Oman's cultural landscape. He noted its impact on the publishing industry and broader economic sectors, while also showcasing the country's literary achievements. Highlighting regional culture, North Sharqiyah was this year's Guest of Honour at the fair. The governorate presented a rich programme reflecting its artistic and intellectual heritage. Additionally, the fair hosted 'Saudi Cultural Days', marking enhanced cultural ties with the kingdom through participation of leading Saudi writers and creatives. Rawahi announced Al Wusta as Guest of Honour at the 30th edition of the fair.
27-04-2025
- General
Muscat book fair calls libraries vital to sultanate's cultural legacy
Muscat – National libraries play a crucial role in advancing the cultural movement in Oman, a seminar held at the 29th Muscat International Book Fair on Saturday highlighted. Titled 'Libraries, Cultural Centers, and Manuscripts in North Sharqiyah Governorate' – the seminar organised by North Sharqiyah, the guest of honour at this year's fair – brought together a group of writers and researchers to discuss the significance of libraries in preserving Oman's heritage, the challenges they face in the digital age, and their visions for the future. Dr Saeed bin Saif al Maskari, editor of Al Falaq magazine, highlighted the role libraries play in sustaining Oman's cultural and literary movement. He emphasised how these institutions are essential in preserving the country's rich history through their collections of documents and manuscripts. 'Libraries are vital resources for researchers, students, and the public, supporting both academic and cultural endeavours,' he said. However, Maskari also pointed to significant challenges faced by libraries, particularly in the preservation of fragile manuscripts due to Oman's humid climate. He noted that many valuable collections, often located in remote villages, remain largely unknown, owing to urban migration and the rise of digital media. Dr Mubarak bin Abdullah al Rashidi, head of Sinaw Culture Centre, discussed the foundational role of libraries in spreading knowledge throughout the society. He explained that libraries aim to develop the skills of youth, guide children toward moral values, and foster a lifelong habit of reading through their diverse programmes. Researcher Khalid bin Saeed al Rashidi elaborated on the diverse functions of libraries. While some are primarily educational and scientific, he stressed that libraries also have a broader cultural, intellectual and historical significance, particularly in their provision of manuscripts, documents and rare books. Mohammed al Aysari, another researcher, revealed that North Sharqiyah governorate ranks second after Muscat governorate in terms of the number of manuscripts housed in private libraries and archives. He identified the Omani Manuscript House at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Sayyid Mohammed bin Ahmed al Busaidi Library as the two most prominent repositories. The Noor al Din al Salmi Library and Sheikh Salem bin Hamad al Harthy Library follow in third and fourth place, respectively. Aysari also noted that the wilayat of Al Qabil leads North Sharqiyah in manuscript holdings, with 749 manuscripts. It is followed by Bidiyah (685), Ibra (241), Mudhaibi (195), Sinaw (119), and Dima Wa Al Taien (91).
26-04-2025
- Politics
Iran FM signs his book ‘The Power of Negotiation' at Muscat fair
Muscat – Dr Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed copies of his book The Power of Negotiation at the 29th Muscat International Book Fair on Friday. The event was attended by H E Sayyid Badr Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, and H E Dr Abdullah Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information and Chairman of the book fair's organising committee. Translated by Dr Fatemeh Mohammadi Sijani and published by Hashem Publishing House of Beirut, the book contains an introduction and six sections including types of negotiations, traits of negotiators, negotiation skills and stages of negotiations. During his visit, Araghchi toured several pavilions, including that of North Sharqiyah, guest of honour at this year's fair, which highlights the governorate's cultural and historical heritage. Araghchi also visited the Ministry of Information's pavilion, where he reviewed digital content created by Oman News Agency, including an AI-powered virtual exhibition and archival photographs showcasing the country's historical transformation. Exhibits include photographs predating the 1970s. At the pavilion of the Directorate General of Electronic Media, Araghchi viewed digital initiatives such as the Ain platform and the Media Portal, which hosts over 65,000 audiovisual materials and 60 audiobooks. At the Directorate General of Publications and Artistic Works' pavilion, he explored the multilingual book 'The Omani Presence in East Africa' (available in Arabic, English and Swahili), detailing Oman's historical ties with East Africa. The exhibit features a model of the House of Wonders, built during the reign of Sultan Barghash bin Said in 1883. Araghchi concluded his visit by touring pavilions dedicated to Saudi and Iranian books and literature.
25-02-2025
- Business
Development Bank gives RO18.8mn in loans to education sector
Muscat – Development Bank granted 509 loans worth RO18.8mn in 2024 to strengthen Oman's education sector and encourage private investment. The funding supports various segments, including general education, university projects, private training services, and kindergartens. The general secondary education sector received the highest share, with 13 loans totalling RO3.6mn. A single project in the university and college sector secured a loan of RO3.5mn, while training services and kindergartens received RO588,000 and RO257,000, respectively. Muscat accounted for the largest portion of the funding, receiving RO8.3mn, or 65% of the total, followed by North Sharqiyah with RO2.3mn (18%) and North Batinah with RO1.1mn (9%). Yousef bin Mohammed al Awini, Director of SME Financing at Development Bank, said it is committed to supporting the education sector, which has been a priority since its inception. 'Our financial support, through subsidised interest rates and flexible loan terms, aims to drive educational growth and stimulate private sector participation,' he added.
