Latest news with #OmaniWomen'sAssociation
Observer
17-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Call for caution as online shopping gains pace
Oman's online trading sector is thriving, with revenue expected to reach $297.6 million in 2025, according to reports. The online revenue is projected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 9.2 per cent, resulting in a market volume of $422.8 million by 2029. The Omani eCommerce market contributed to the worldwide growth rate of 9.8 per cent, with an expected increase of 11.8 per cent in 2025. Oman's e-commerce market serves the B2C and B2B sectors, spanning garments, electronics, fashion, groceries and home appliances, and was estimated at $0.57 billion. This indicates significant growth potential, attracting e-commerce companies worldwide. The apparel market leads the list of sectors, followed by electronics, accounting for 23.1 per cent of Omani eCommerce revenue. Hobby & Leisure follows at 23.1 per cent, fashion at 18.0 per cent, furniture and homeware at 12.2 per cent, care products at 8.7 per cent, DIY at 7.7 per cent, and groceries at the remaining 7.3 per cent. However, safer online practices are urged to safeguard online dealers in the wake of increasing online malpractices. The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has introduced the 'Safe Shopping in the Digital Economy' campaign as part of various awareness activities. A seminar titled "Safe Online Shopping" has been held through its directorates and branches across the governorates. The campaign, under the slogan 'For Safe Shopping', aims to raise community awareness of the principles of safe online shopping, enhance knowledge of consumer and electronic supplier rights and obligations, and promote legal awareness among suppliers in accordance with applicable regulations and laws. The seminar titled 'Safe Online Shopping', held in collaboration with the Omani Women's Association and the Ihsan Association branch in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, aimed to activate community and institutional partnerships, introduce regulations governing sales and purchases via the global information network and educate attendees about consumer rights during online shopping and remote contracting. The campaign has also raised consumer awareness through radio and television interviews to educate consumers about the risks of unsafe online shopping and how to avoid them. Several informational posts were shared on social media platforms, along with the publication of various awareness videos and materials. The campaign involved organising live and virtual awareness lectures, workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions for consumers in various government and private institutions and educational establishments. Media coverage was provided through social media networks, and awareness messages were displayed on screens in commercial complexes. TIPS FOR SAFE ONLINE SHOPPING - Shopping should be limited to popular or familiar websites - Conduct research about the seller before buying - Make sure you have strong passwords and keep updating your software - Avoid using debit card to shop online; instead, use a credit card or payment service - Avoid doing online shopping on public Wi-Fi networks - Look for the lock icon in the address bar to ensure the website is secure - Avoid typing the name of the retailer into the browser bar - Use a VPN to shop online securely for a secured transaction - Lastly, use a good antivirus for the system
Observer
14-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Awareness seminar highlights safe online shopping in Nizwa
NIZWA: The Consumer Protection Department in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate organised an awareness seminar under the title 'Safe Online Shopping', in cooperation with the Omani Women's Association in the Wilayat of Nizwa and the Ihsan Association — Al Dakhiliyah branch on Wednesday. The event was aimed to raise public awareness about consumer rights and safe purchasing practices amidst the rapid transformation of the digital economy. The seminar, which saw a wide community turnout, began with an opening speech by Ali bin Salim al Hadhrami, Director of the Consumer Protection Department in Al Dakhiliyah. He stated, 'Online shopping has become a part of our daily lives. With this widespread usage, challenges such as commercial fraud, delivery delays and non-compliance with product specifications have also increased. Therefore, awareness is no longer optional — it is essential to protect consumers from practices that harm their interests.' He added: 'This seminar coincides with the launch of the second edition of the 'Safe Shopping in the Digital Economy' campaign for 2025. We hope it will leave a positive impact on the community by enhancing consumer awareness.' The event featured visual presentations and working papers. One of the key presentations was a paper titled 'Electronic Contracting', delivered by legal researcher Nasrah bint Mohammed al Saeghiyah, in which she reviewed key consumer rights in digital transactions. She noted that 3,340 violations of the Consumer Protection Law were recorded in 2023 alone, according to figures presented during the 2024 Public Prosecution Conference. Another working paper was presented by Samiah bint Nasser al Riyamiyah, Quality and Goods Specialist; and Fatma bint Ali al Ramhiyah, Consumer Complaints Researcher, discussing procedures for submitting and processing electronic complaints. The seminar also addressed fundamental consumer rights in online transactions, such as the right to accurate information, freedom of choice, cultural respect, compensation in the case of damage, receiving invoices in Arabic, product quality guarantees and the legal right to return or exchange goods. Mustafa bin Mohammed al Suleimani, Head of the Market Regulation and Monitoring Section, explained that most complaints in the online shopping sector involve cloth and accessories. He emphasised the availability of various complaint channels, including the consumer protection hotline and the official website, noting that administrative penalties such as fines and license revocations are imposed on violators.
Observer
04-05-2025
- General
- Observer
Community event in Muscat to promote reading culture
Muscat: The Directorate General of Education in Muscat Governorate, represented by the Educational Supervision Department's Learning Resources Centre, in cooperation with the Omani Women's Association in Al Amerat and the Omani Sociologist Association (OSA), organised a community event under the theme 'A Reading Society for an Aware Future.' The initiative was held at the Association headquarters in Al Amerat. The event was held in the presence of Dr Yousuf al Nadabi, Director of the Educational Supervision Department, and Younis Al Hooti, Senior Learning Resources Supervisor, and it brought together students from schools across the wilayat, along with teachers, parents and representatives from the local community. Organised by learning resources specialists from various schools in the governorate under the supervision of Nasra bint Mohammed Al Oufi, Learning Resources Supervisor, the initiative aimed to foster a culture of reading within both school environments and the wider community. It also sought to enhance students' skills in knowledge acquisition and innovation, while highlighting the role of learning resources centres in supporting education in line with Oman Vision 2040. The event featured a range of educational and interactive corners designed to engage participants of all age groups, including the Young Reader's Corner, Omani Author's Corner, Omani Encyclopedia, Free Reading and Drawing, Educational Games, Creative Workshops, Special Needs, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Corner, and E-Knowledge Corner. Each corner offered enriching activities that combined learning with creativity and entertainment, contributing to the development of students' reading habits, critical thinking, and independent learning skills. Nasra al Oufi noted that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to create a dynamic and modern reading environment by positioning learning resource centres as key components of the educational process. 'We aim to connect students with knowledge through engaging and contemporary methods,' she said. The event was well received by attendees, who commended the diversity of content and the overall quality of the event.
Observer
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Oman's art world to come together under Art Alchemy
Muscat: Art, artists and society are three inseparable facets of the identity of modern times as artists can help shape and define community identities, creating a sense of belonging and pride. Moreover, art and artists play a pivotal role in shaping society by reflecting its values, challenging its norms, and fostering emotional and intellectual engagement and any society without any innate form of art is a soulless group of people. Oman is to witness the largest gathering of artists, arts, and mediums of art in a first of its kind congregation of art at the Markaz al Bahja on Friday, April 11. The Art Alchemy stands out from other mundane artist gatherings for it showcases, besides the very Omani Art and Culture, the art and culture forms of Saudi Arabia, Germany, India, China, Ukraine, Pakistan, Malaysia and many more and so on and so forth and will showcase the major works of the artists in different mediums such as water, acrylic, oil, pastel and resin, among others, for the very first time. The first-time event has already gotten the ball moving and over fifty local and international artists have already expressed their willingness to showcase their art in the largest event. The term 'Alchemy' stands for a type of chemistry, especially in the Middle Ages, that dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine that would cure any disease. Ask Namrata Hakkai, the chief organiser of such a one of its kind event where all the artists and art aficionados come under one roof, if she intended so, she would quietly say 'it was a dream come true'. 'This art and artists rendezvous will be a spectacular showcase of creativity as more than 50 talented artists from around the world come together under one roof at Markaz Al Bahja Mall. There will be 3 prizes for the best art pieces, and entry is free for everyone,' says Namrata. Dr Hiba al Abduwani, Member of Omani Women's Association, and member of Omani Fine Art Society will be the chief guest while Tarini agarwal- eminent artist and Founder of Al Mouj Artist Group and Art Galleries will be the Guest of Honor. This landmark event is organized by M Y Business Management and Trading & Hakkai Oman. One will be able to discover stunning works from artists representing our very own local Omani talent. 'We closed registrations as we had an overflow of registrations and one shouldn't miss this celebration of culture, color, and connection!' adds Namrata.
