Oman and Africa : a strong relation
Oman and Africa : a strong relation By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache Recently a business delegation from the Sultanate of Oman came to Tanzania to strengthen economic ties. Tanzania is seeking to embark on a major industrialisation drive , as international media reported during the Oman delegation visit. Enhance economic ties Oman and Tanzania are seeking new investment partnerships. Duqm, Salalah and Sohar ports could be linked to Dar es Salaam Port for new markets. Oman is indeed willing to open new markets in Africa through Tanzania and its coastline on the Indian Ocean. Tanzania could be the gateway to several countries on the continent, observers said before and during the Oman delegation visit. Oman is planning to invest in Sugar, cassava, cereals crops processing industry in Tanzania. Oman and Africa, especially eastern Africa have strong relations for many years. In the video below, Michael Katz, chief executive officer of Oman Aqua Science, said that ecological studies found that Oman and Zanzibar used the first trading vessel. For which purpose ? Agriculture and Fisheries. Diversity The agricultural and fisheries sectors play an important role in the daily lives of the omanis. These sectors represent 406.1 millions OR of the Oman GDP in 2014. The fisheries sector increased slightly from 2013 to 2014, 211 000 fishes were captured in 2013, whereas in 2013, there were 206 000. In Oman, bottom trawling is prohibited as the Sultanate is committed to preserve the environment and the marine ecosystem. The Sultanate has a diverse agriculture and climate said, in the film, Dr Nadiya Al Saady of Oman Animal & Plant Genetic Resources Center ( OAPGRC). To the view of Shawn Basson of Nehad Agronomy Services, Oman is the food basket of the middle east from January to March. It provides food to its counterparts. Sustainable strategies and opportunities « Oman is part of the GCC [The Gulf Cooperation Council]. It is very closed to India, subcontinent, Eastern Africa. These people have 1,5 billion people leaving there. They have a great demand for food, » said Saleh Al Shanfari from Oman Food Investment Holding co. With climate change opportunities and promotion of countries sustainable strategies, customers are more demanding. « People want to know where the food is produced. People want to have fresh food and organic food, »she emphasized. Watch the...
Invest in Oman: a gateway to the world
Invest in Oman: a gateway to the world By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache Recently, an omani delegation met in Paris french investors and french CEOs during a seminar on investment in the Sultanate of Oman. Organized by the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce, this seminar consisted of introducing the economic diversification strategy of the Sultanate of Oman. Analysis. The background Located in the middle east, in the south of the Arabia Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman has a strategic geographical position, with a very strong history shared with Eastern Africa ( Trade, culture…). With an average population of 4 726 413 estimated in January 2016, the country is largely depend on the oil resources ( 9, 16 billions OR*, including 7, 7 billions OR of the oil net revenues). However, since the seventies, the Sultan Qabous Bin Said introduced an economic diversification in Oman policy. Indeed, in 1976, the Sultanate adopted five-years plans in order to safeguard the financial and economic stability of the country with a balance development of the various governorates. Composed of 11 governorates, Muscat, Dhofar, Misandam, Buraymi, Dakhliyah, Wusta (…), the Sultanate of Oman is described as a modern state under the Authority of the Interior Minister, with the exception of Muscat and Dhofar. Each governorate has its own administration, geography, and economy. The nine five-years Plan of the Sultanate, from 2016 to 2020 focusses on the economy diversification strategy. It intends to expand the productive base and it aims to create jobs for omanis by contributing to the GDP through, agriculture, industry, tourism, fisheries and mineral resources. The important element of the omani scheme is the development of human resources through education and vocational training. The Sultanate of Oman wants therefore to be inspired by international best practices with the aim to prepare its young population in the workplace. Oman’s vision 2040 As part of its ninth five-years plan, the Main Oman 2040 Vision Committee organizes this year international conferences. Member and signatory of several agreements and economic organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Oman is willing to open its country to the world. Its characteristics, according to observers : political stability, safety, liberal economy. “Investors can own up to 100% of their company,” underlines the Ambassador of Oman in Paris Humaid Bin Ali Al Maani. In Oman, there is no restriction to export capital and profit.Legal persons do not pay taxes, but the business tax rate is 12%. Foreign investments are very important for Oman, even if there was a decrease between 2011 and 2012, said Azzan Al Busaid, Executive Director of Plan and Studies of The Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development...