Latest news with #Vision2040
Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Omani British Society hosts workshop on advancing sultanate's food security
Muscat – The Omani British Society hosted a workshop on Wednesday titled 'Harvesting Oman's Resilience: Advancing Food Security Through Innovation'. The event brought together a diverse group of experts from Oman and the UK – including government officials, agri-tech pioneers, policy strategists, and business leaders – to explore innovative solutions to the sultanate's food security challenges. Saleh Zakwani, Chairman of the Omani British Society, stated that the workshop reflects the Omani British Society's commitment to facilitating dialogue on issues of strategic national importance. 'Food security is a key component of Oman's long-term vision, with a clear goal of increasing self-sufficiency and building a resilient, sustainable food system. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, we aim to support the national agenda through collaboration and knowledge exchange. We are proud to serve as a platform for these vital conversations that shape Oman's future.' In addition to individual presentations, the workshop featured a dynamic panel discussion with five distinguished participants. The panel comprised Andrea Di Lello, Senior Director, Alvarez & Marsal; Eng Asma al Hinai, Manager of the Oman Vision 2040 Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; Edward Gilbert, Regional Agriculture and Food Counsellor for the Gulf, British Embassy Riyadh; Sameer Ul Haque, Chief Investment Officer, Tawoos Group; and Shepard (Colie) Spink, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal. The engaging panel discussion was moderated by Jesal Asher Rajda, Executive Director, Al Ansari Group. Panellists shared insights into the complex challenges facing Oman's food systems – from water scarcity to supply chain optimisation and investment in agri-tech. Eng Asma al Hinai shared updates on the government's ongoing efforts and strategic initiatives to strengthen national food security, attract investment, and increase self-sufficiency in key food commodities. She noted that, as part of its Vision 2040 objectives, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources adopted Food Security Labs as a core mechanism to implement its five-year plan. 'The outcome of the first phase, launched in 2021, has already resulted in over 340 investment projects across the agriculture, fisheries, and water resources sectors. We are currently preparing for the final session of the Food Security Lab in October this year to conclude the first phase.' These Food Security Labs, she said, are aligned with the pillars of Oman Vision 2040. More than 40 enabling initiatives have also been launched to support long-term sustainability and investor confidence in the agriculture sector. Eng Asma also highlighted the ministry's support for entrepreneurs and investors through a range of incentive packages. She emphasised Oman's strategic focus on increasing production of food commodities where self-sufficiency is currently below 75%. 'We have established a National Food Basket that includes 25 commodities across eight food crop categories. These strategic crops are the focus of a national plan to raise sufficiency levels to at least 75% by 2028.' 'To guide these efforts, we developed a comprehensive investment map, which analyses crop composition, soil texture, and groundwater availability across Oman's governorates. This will help optimise agricultural production based on regional strengths.' Looking beyond primary production, Eng Asma said that the ministry is also working to enhance value-added processing capabilities for various food commodities. Success stories include Oman's growing industries in date processing, fish canning, and dairy by-products – many of which have already surpassed 75% self-sufficiency due to domestic value addition. Haifa al Khaifi, General Secretary of the Omani British Society, expressed deep appreciation for the insightful dialogue held during the workshop. She said, 'Under the esteemed leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman has charted a clear path towards sustainable agricultural development. Convening experts from both Oman and the UK – from government officials to agri-tech pioneers – demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment in bolstering national food security.' She acknowledged the critical role of public–private partnerships, the water–energy–food nexus, and coordinated supply–demand planning, and extended gratitude to all speakers, partners, and attendees for their valuable contributions.
Observer
11 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman Vision 2040 is a blueprint for sustainable growth: World Bank
From digital corridors to investment pipelines, Oman Vision 2040 is transforming the present for a stronger future, and symbolizes yet another chapter of strategic evolution that has characterized the country from prehistoric Majan to modern Oman, said the World Bank in its blogs. "Developed through extensive consultations with citizens, Vision 2040 enshrines a diversified and resilient economy less reliant on oil while fostering a globally integrated and prosperous society. What began under the leadership of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, with the careful planning of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is a roadmap charting how Oman can adapt to changing economic conditions, shifting culture, and disrupting technology to steer Oman toward economic diversification, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Oman's steady progress under Vision 2040 offers a model for other emerging economies navigating uncertainty through long-term planning. It further guides Oman's increased global engagement and partnership with organizations like the World Bank Group," the blog said. Oman and the World Bank Group have enjoyed an active partnership for decades. This has led to working together on a range of areas aligned to Vision 2040, from national development plans and budget system modernization to transport and fisheries. A key focus right now is strengthening the investment climate to support private sector-led growth and job creation. The World Bank is bringing global knowledge and advice on best practices in business environment reforms tailored to the Omani context. IFC, the Bank Group's private sector arm, recently announced new investments to bolster the country's sustainable finance market and empower the private sector. MIGA, home of the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, secured $1.2 billion in commercial financing of the infrastructure works for the Duqm Special Economic Zone. Central to Oman Vision 2040 is the imperative of economic diversification and building a knowledge, technology-driven economy. In practice, this means investing in digital infrastructure, encouraging R&D, and nurturing new industries. Major regulatory reforms have been rolled out to catalyze private-sector growth and foreign investment. For example, a new Foreign Capital Investment Law took effect in 2020, removing minimum capital requirements and allowing 100% foreign ownership in many sectors. Attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening the private sector are key components of the Vision, and these reforms unlock those opportunities. Oman is also leveraging its strategic geography to become a logistics and trade hub. Positioned outside the Strait of Hormuz on major global trade routes, it has prioritized modernizing ports, free zones, and airports. The development of Duqm – a vast special economic zone with a deep-sea port – and upgrades at Salalah and Sohar ports exemplify this push. Such investments aim to streamline the flow of goods and make Oman a vital link in global supply chains. Already, early results of the economic transformation are visible: non-oil sectors like construction, manufacturing, and transport are growing quickly. Maintaining this momentum will require sustained reform, and Oman's multi-pronged approach – from startup incubators to industrial free zones – is steadily transforming the economy. Sustainable development is an overarching principle, and Oman's fisheries sector is a standout success story for this agenda. Fisheries have evolved from a traditional, artisanal industry into a technology-enabled sector that contributes to diversification. The government, with World Bank support, crafted a Fisheries and Aquaculture Vision to create a profitable world-class sector that is ecologically sustainable and a net contributor to Oman's economy. The innovation shown in the Omani sustainable fisheries sector is yielding impressive results. The sector is expanding at near double-digit rates, with a recorded 7.5 percent sectoral growth in the first three quarters of 2024. This progress reinforces the country's ambition for economic diversification by setting a high bar, with the sector aiming to reach 10 percent annual growth and contribute 2 percent to the national GDP. Developing human capital is another key element of Oman's vision. A skilled, educated populace is the bedrock of competitiveness. Educational reforms are underway to align curricula with future labor market needs and improve quality at all levels. Oman's ambition includes ranking among the top 20 countries in global education indices by 2030, and top 10 by 2040. Investments in schools and universities over the past decades have dramatically expanded access. Now the focus is on boosting outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and math to nurture a knowledge economy. Equally important, Oman is fostering a culture of research and entrepreneurship. Through its Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, new programs are funding research and the commercialization of ideas. Innovation parks and incubators have been launched in partnership with the private sector to mentor startups and turn student projects into marketable products. Aspiring young entrepreneurs receive support via financing initiatives and training programs, often co-sponsored by government and industry. Public-private partnerships are helping build this innovation ecosystem – for example, technology companies are collaborating with Omani colleges on coding academies, and energy firms are investing in technical training centers. These efforts are bearing fruit: a burgeoning startup scene is evident in Muscat, and the number of Omani tech SMEs is on the rise. In parallel, Oman has worked to make its labor market more flexible and dynamic, implementing new labor policies in 2023–24, adding more benefits for women, and encouraging private-sector hiring of Omanis. With 64% of the population under 30, all these measures aim to harness Oman's demographic dividend by equipping its youth with the skills and opportunities to innovate. To ensure the successful realization of Oman Vision 2040, a specialized entity—the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit—was established by Royal Decree 100/2020. Reporting directly to the Council of Ministers, the Unit plays a central role in monitoring the progress of the vision, facilitating coordination across sectors, addressing challenges, and providing strategic support to align efforts with the national vision. Looking forward to the next 15 years, there will be continued opportunities as well as challenges in realizing the vision. Successful implementation requires continued commitment, adaptability, and engagement with global partners. Oman's journey towards realizing its 2040 vision can serve as a valuable case study for other countries navigating uncertainties and striving for economic diversification, sustainability, and global integration.
Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Environmental initiative to preserve wild trees in Dhofar
Muscat: In the enchanting mountains of the Dhofar Governorate, more than 5,000 wild trees , Arabian Dhofari Buttontree and wild fig trees were pruned during the years 2023 and 2024, as part of a qualitative initiative to protect them and enhance their growth, and The field results showed a significant improvement in tree health and growth. The Environment Authority has introduced a groundbreaking initiative focused on pruning wild trees in the mountains of Dhofar Governorate. This project aims to enhance the health of key native species, including the Arabian Dhofari Buttontree (Anogeissus Dhofaric)and wild fig trees (Ficus Acacia). By protecting these trees from environmental threats and pests, the initiative supports Oman's Vision 2040 for ecological sustainability. Scheduled to take place annually in May and June—just before the autumn season—the program has already demonstrated promising results. Field surveys have observed noticeable growth in new branches and overall improvements in tree health. Pruning statistics indicate steady progress: - 2023: 2,032 trees pruned - 2024: 3,180 trees pruned - 2025: 3,000 trees targeted for pruning The effort spans multiple areas, including Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Rakhyut, and Dhalkut. Experts predict that this focused approach will contribute significantly to preserving Dhofar's natural environment and ensuring sustainable practices for future generations.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
Forty graduates turn conservation training into economic opportunity
Forty youths and women received certificates on Thursday in Bloemfontein for completing a community-based training programme hosted by Meals on Wheels in partnership with SANParks as part of a growing initiative to tackle youth unemployment, food insecurity and economic inequality in South Africa. The training focused on agriculture, food preservation, leather and beauty product manufacturing, supported by the government and private sector partners. It aims to equip vulnerable community members with hands-on skills to start their own businesses and build self-sufficiency. Seiso Mohai, deputy minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, applauded the graduates for embracing an opportunity that links conservation with job creation. 'We must begin to see agriculture and biodiversity not only as tools for survival but as platforms for innovation and growth. What we are witnessing today is not just a graduation but a shift in how we build resilience in our rural communities,' said Mohai. Skumsa Nthanga, SANParks head of socioeconomic transformation and Vision 2040 project lead, told TimesLIVE that the programme's purpose is to empower communities, especially those near biodiversity-rich landscapes, to reclaim their heritage through sustainable economic activity. 'We want to see beneficiaries establish and run their own enterprises. Our national parks are in remote areas with limited job opportunities. This programme is about closing that gap,' she added. One of the graduates, Thulisa Mnqabisa from Nomathamsanqa, said she closed her beauty salon to join the training. 'I wanted to learn how to develop my own beauty products and eventually use them in my salon,' she said. Mnqabisa told TimesLIVE that she now plans to manufacture and distribute her beauty products to BnB houses and hotels. 'The knowledge I got here will help me employ others in my community. That's the dream.'
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
World Bank support focused on enhancing Oman's investment climate
MUSCAT: The World Bank's contribution to advancing Oman's ambitious Vision 2040—a long-term strategy for economic diversification, sustainability, and global integration—has been spotlighted in a recent article on the official blogging platform of the World Bank Group. Titled 'Oman Vision 2040: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth and Global Integration,' the article is co-authored by Dr Khamis bin Saif Al Jabri, Chairman of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, and Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank. According to the article, a decades-long partnership between Oman and the World Bank has made the institution a key ally in supporting the country's shift from an oil-reliant economy to a knowledge-based, globally competitive nation. The Bank's support aligns with strategic national goals outlined in Vision 2040, spanning multiple sectors. A central pillar of this collaboration is improving the investment climate to foster private sector-led growth. To that end, the World Bank has worked closely with Omani authorities to introduce global best practices in business environment reform, adapted to local needs. These efforts are producing results: foreign direct investment is on the rise, and the regulatory framework has improved. A notable milestone is the 2020 Foreign Capital Investment Law, which eliminated minimum capital requirements and opened numerous sectors to full foreign ownership. In parallel, the World Bank Group's private sector arm—the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—has expanded its engagement in Oman by promoting sustainable finance and supporting private sector development. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), another World Bank Group institution, played a key role in mobilizing $1.2 billion in commercial financing for infrastructure projects in the Duqm Special Economic Zone—a lynchpin in Oman's logistics and industrial diversification strategy. The partnership also extends to human capital development, a core objective of Vision 2040. The World Bank has supported education reform, helping Oman align its curriculum with future labor market demands. Investments in STEM education, vocational training, and research are aimed at boosting Oman's global education rankings, with goals to reach the top 20 by 2030 and top 10 by 2040. Sustainable development is another area of impactful collaboration. In the fisheries sector, the World Bank has helped craft a national strategy to modernize the industry from traditional fishing to a high-tech, export-driven model. This transformation is already delivering results, with the sector growing by 7.5 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024 and targeting 10 per cent annual growth, significantly contributing to Oman's non-oil GDP. The World Bank is also supporting Oman's efforts to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers youth. Initiatives such as innovation hubs, startup incubators, and public-private partnerships are helping unlock the potential of the nation's young population—64 per cent of whom are under 30. Targeted support for tech startups and workforce reforms are seen as vital steps toward leveraging this demographic advantage. Looking ahead, the road to 2040 presents both opportunities and challenges. The authors emphasize that realizing Vision 2040 will require sustained commitment, adaptability, and continued engagement with international partners. Oman's journey can serve as a model for other nations seeking to navigate uncertainty while pursuing economic diversification, sustainability, and global integration, the authors stressed.
