Latest news with #QaisMohammedAlYousef
Times of Oman
15-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Commerce Ministry takes action against companies engaged in hidden trade
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 hidden 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
15-07-2025
- 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
08-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Business and Human Rights Forum kicks off in Muscat
Muscat – The Business and Human Rights Forum commenced today, organized by the Omani Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights. The two-day event sees broad participation from government representatives, private sector institutions, civil society organizations, UN agencies, academic institutions, and a select group of experts and researchers specializing in human rights and corporate governance. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. The first day featured two working sessions. The first discussed international and national frameworks related to business and human rights, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the role of Oman Vision 2040 in enabling business and supporting human rights, Oman's legislative framework for worker protection, and the role of higher education institutions in promoting human rights in the business environment. The second session addressed shared responsibilities in advancing human rights in business, covering topics such as the judiciary's role in protecting human rights in commerce, the efforts of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in promoting human rights, the Consumer Protection Authority's initiatives to ensure fair trade practices, and Ooredoo's policies in supporting the rights of persons with disabilities in the workplace. On the second day, the forum will focus on building effective institutional policies to protect human rights in business and the role of civil society and other sectors in advancing human rights. This forum aligns with national efforts to promote justice and transparency in the workplace and integrate human rights principles into business policies and practices, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes a sustainable economy based on empowerment, participation, and accountability. The event seeks to foster multilateral dialogue among business stakeholders, raise awareness of international human rights principles, exchange best national and regional practices, address emerging challenges in integrating human rights into business policies, review successful institutional experiences, and propose ways to align local legislation with international standards. It also highlights the role of judicial institutions, legislative initiatives, and civil society in supporting this direction. The ceremony also saw the launch of a national initiative to employ persons with disabilities in the private sector, aiming to provide equal opportunities, eliminate discrimination in hiring, and ensure their fair and equitable inclusion in the workforce. The initiative seeks to link the forum's outcomes with practical steps supporting the rights of persons with disabilities in the labour market and achieving national employment targets for this group.
Times of Oman
26-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Shura Council continues discussion on statement of Commerce Minister
Muscat: For the second consecutive day, the Shura Council continued its discussion on the statement of Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. The Council members emphasised the need to intensify efforts and review strategies and policies to enhance the added value of the trade and industry sectors domestically, linking industries to available national resources. They also called for increasing Omanisation rates in the manufacturing sector, given its rapid growth, and stressed the importance of devising a plan to incentivise industrial companies to absorb national talent. During the session, the members of the Council highlighted the necessity of strengthening incentives and facilities to empower the industrial and commercial sectors. They also proposed establishing a national center to support stalled industrial projects. Additionally, the members discussed the significance of foreign investment as a solution to economic and social challenges, such as job creation and industrial expansion. They urged the creation of an attractive and flexible investment environment characterised by integration among relevant entities, while addressing obstacles that may hinder foreign investment efforts. The session also touched on the growing importance of e-commerce in Oman, with a proposal to establish a unified e-commerce portal under the Ministry's supervision to support local sellers and streamline licensing, payment, and delivery services. These discussions took place during the Council's 14th regular session of the second annual convening (2024-2025) of its 10th term (2023-2027). The session was chaired by Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, in the presence of its members and Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council.
Times of Oman
24-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Forum in Algiers highlights Algerian-Omani Economic Partnerships
Algiers: The Algerian-Omani Business Forum, titled 'Algerian-Omani Economic Partnerships: Pioneering Fields and Promising Prospects," was held on Tuesday in the Algerian capital, as part of Oman's participation as the guest of honour at the 56th Algiers International Fair. Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, emphasized that the organisation of this forum—attended by elite business leaders from both countries—reflects the mutual interest in strengthening relations, enhancing bilateral investment and exploring trade and investment opportunities to boost commercial exchange, imports and exports. In his speech, he stated that Oman seeks to diversify its imports, promote Omani exports and establish investment integration between the two nations. He noted that the forum aims to develop joint collaboration and expand the foundations of integration toward broader horizons, building a competitive economy that interacts with global markets, adapts to changes, and sustains national economic growth. He added that both governments are committed to providing all necessary facilities, incentives and enablers to empower the private sector in contributing to sustainable prosperity and development. The Minister expressed hope that Oman's participation as the guest of honor at the 56th Algiers International Fair would enhance investment and trade exchange between the two countries. He called on the private sectors in both nations to play their desired role, with both governments ready to provide all required support. On his turn, Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Internal Trade and Market Regulation of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, expressed pride in the historical and fraternal ties between the two countries, which have reached a strategic level of convergence and understanding in recent years. In his remarks, he highlighted the state visit of the President of Algeria to Oman in October 2024, followed by the state visit of His Majesty the Sultan to Algeria in May 2025, as pivotal milestones in Algerian-Omani relations. These visits culminated in a joint statement that clearly affirmed the leaders' commitment to strengthening bilateral partnership and elevating it to broader horizons, serving the mutual interests of both nations and peoples. He noted that Algerian-Omani economic cooperation has taken promising steps, reflected in major projects such as the fertilizer production complex in 'Arzew" city, valued at approximately $2.4 billion, and the establishment of the Algerian-Omani Investment Fund. Additionally, projects under study in sectors such as automobiles, energy, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture were discussed. He stressed the potential to expand economic cooperation into promising and vital sectors like tourism, services, cultural industries, and traditional crafts—areas where both countries possess significant potential and real investment opportunities. He called for doubling efforts to develop export-import channels and leveraging both nations' natural and human resources. Meanwhile, Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the forum explored joint partnership opportunities and reviewed available investment prospects in both countries. He added that partnerships between investors in both nations are expected in various sectors, particularly manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, noting that the Algerian market is promising and strategically positioned to provide investors access to neighboring markets. The forum featured three panel discussions addressing investment opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, and urban development. Additionally, promotional presentations on investment in Oman and Algeria were showcased on the sidelines. Bilateral meetings were held between business leaders from both countries to explore joint trade and investment cooperation, including opening marketing channels for their products and establishing joint investment ventures. The forum was attended by Saif Nasser Al Badai, Ambassador of Oman to Algeria, along with several officials from the public and private sectors and some business leaders from both nations.
