Latest news with #SalimAlHabsi
Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
SQU announces winners of Royal Grant for Strategic Research Projects
Muscat: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) today announced the top 10 winners of the 2025 Royal Grant for Strategic Research Projects. The announcement was made during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of University Day. The ceremony was held under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance. University Day celebration coincided with the convening of the International Research Management Conference themed "Scholarly Research and Sustainability: A Vision for Change." The conference seeks to explore ways to ensure the sustainability of research at institutional, national and international levels. It lays emphasis on upgrading sustainable funding strategies, strengthening research partnerships (between academic, industrial, and governmental institutions), building research capacities and using modern technology to update research methodologies and effective research dissemination norms. The ceremony included three documentaries that featured the Royal Grant for Strategic Research, the University Day and the achievements of the SQU in scholarly research and postgraduate studies. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Al Habsi and attendees toured an exhibition accompanying the University Day. The exhibition showcased two platforms: one on the 'Research Management System' and the other on the 'Publishing and Journals Management System'. It also included stands on innovation and technology transfer, postgraduate studies and sustainability in research.
Times of Oman
14-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Pacts inked to boost sustainable finance in Oman
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance, on Monday hosted the World Bank Group (WBG) Day. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance. The event brought together representatives from the WBG, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as officials from the public and private sectors. This gathering is part of ongoing efforts to foster growth in Oman's public and private sectors. The Ministry of Finance undertakes a vital role in supporting these efforts by cultivating a sustainable investment and development environment that contributes to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The event included two workshops. The first workshop focused on strategies to strengthen the private sector within the national economy, emphasising its crucial role in achieving sustainable development in the Sultanate of Oman. Private investments in vital areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and technology support Oman's transition toward a more diversified and sustainable economy. These investments also serve as a strategic step toward enabling Omani companies to expand regionally and globally, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Oman's economy and elevating Oman's status on the global economic map. The second workshop highlighted IFC's role in supporting the private sector, focusing on private-sector financing and technical advisory services. Through these efforts, IFC contributes to advancing the national objectives of Oman Vision 2040, including sustainable growth. On the sidelines of the meeting, three agreements were signed with the International Finance Corporation to support sustainable investment opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman. These agreements seek to bolster sustainable finance in Oman and to empower private-sector growth by creating jobs and driving economic diversification. The first agreement, signed between the IFC and Future Fund Oman (FFO), aims to explore and develop joint investments in several key sectors, including sustainable green manufacturing, clean energy, tourism, logistics, agribusiness, and healthcare. This initiative supports economic diversification and helps reinforce non-oil revenue activities. The second agreement, signed between the IFC and the National Finance Company for a total of USD 120 million, aims to bolster sustainable projects in the Sultanate of Oman by supporting initiatives in clean transportation, renewable energy, and energy and water efficiency for both individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the IFC signed a cooperation agreement with the United Solar Polysilicon (USP) to support the development of a USD 1.6 billion greenfield polysilicon plant in Sohar, with a planned capacity of 100,000 tons per annum. This project seeks to diversify and expand global supply chains in the solar energy sector, making it one of the largest polysilicon production plants outside of East Asia. In his Speech, Mahmoud Abdullah Al Awaini, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance affirmed that this gathering is part of a broader commitment to boost sustainable economic development and unlock new growth opportunities for the public and private sectors in Oman—achieved through leveraging the strategic partnership with the WBG and the IFC. He noted that this meeting also serves as a pivotal step in ongoing dialogue with the IFC and the World Bank, ensuring that Omani companies can access global expertise, diverse financial solutions, and strategic guidance. By providing a business environment that encourages investment, supports innovation, and enhances competitiveness, Oman enables companies to expand into emerging markets and developing economies. In his turn, Aftab Ahmed, Regional Director for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan at the International Finance Corporation said, 'These new agreements not only underscore Oman's growing role in the region but also signal strong investor confidence in the country's economic potential.' He also pointed out that the signing of these agreements is part of strengthening cooperation between the IFC and Oman. It is worth noting that this gathering aims to strengthen the private sector's role, empower it to drive economic growth, and open new pathways into emerging markets and developing economies. -ONA
Times of Oman
09-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman participates in Joint Annual Meetings of Arab Financial Institutions
Kuwait: The Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday took part in annual joint meetings of Arab financial institutions, which convened in Kuwait. Oman's delegation to the meetings was headed by Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance. The delegation included officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Oman. Al Habsi, who chaired the opening session of the annual joint meetings, stressed the importance of exerting more efforts and extending more cooperation to keep pace with current global events and developments. He also underlined the need to devise flexible financial strategies capable of addressing global challenges, consolidating economic stability in the region and providing a better investment climate. Al Habsi pointed out that the Arab region, being an inseparable part of the global economic system, remains vulnerable to any worldwide challenges. The 16th meeting of the Council of Arab Finance Ministers was held on the sidelines of the joint session, which discussed public debt management and public finance risks, among other issues.
See - Sada Elbalad
27-02-2025
- Science
- See - Sada Elbalad
Saudi Arabia to Host ICESCO's 46th Executive Council
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science have signed an agreement for Saudi Arabia to host ICESCO's 46th Executive Council and 15th General Conference in January 2026. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 45th session of ICESCO's Executive Council, held in Tunis. Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Director of ICESCO's General Secretariat for National Committees and Conferences, and Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Bulahid, Secretary General of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, formalized the arrangement, outlining the organizational and logistical framework for the upcoming events, including preparations and necessary services for participants. Saudi Arabia's hosting of these key ICESCO meetings underscores its commitment to supporting the organization's mission of fostering cooperation among Member States in education, science, and culture. The Kingdom's initiative also aligns with broader efforts to achieve sustainable development and enhance dialogue and understanding among nations.
