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Youth – Vital for Oman Vision 2040

25 Oct 2021 By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – As the sultanate marks Omani Youth Day today, there’s ample evidence of youth leading the private sector workforce. According to a National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) survey, over 78,000 youth in the 18-29 age group work in private sector companies, constituting 49.4 per cent of the work force.

In NCSI’s data for 2020, there were 549,969 Omani youth in the 18-29 age group accounting for 20.1 per cent of the Omani population of 2,731,456. 

The total number of employed youth in the sultanate in the 18-29 age group was 178,600 – 79 per cent male and 21 per cent female – constituting 24 per cent of the total Omani working population in 2020.

Of the 178,600, 78,000 worked in private sector companies, 79,600 for the government and the remaining in other sectors. 

According to the 2020 data, the number of young Omani business owners in the 18-29 age group was 26,189, representing 17.7 per cent of all the Omani business owners in the sultanate. Of these, 77.7 per cent were male.

To mark the day, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth will host a virtual event, held in Sohar, under the patronage of Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.

The event aims to celebrate the achievements of Omani youth, support their needs, strengthen relations between them and authorities, and enhance their capability to contribute to the nation’s development. The celebration confirms the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and his keen interest in young people and work to achieve their hopes and ambitions.

Sayyid Theyazin has emphasised the vital role of youth in continuing nation building and noted that Omani youth have proved that they have a heightened sense of national responsibility and a clear vision and strong determination to participate in Oman’s march forward.

The youth that Muscat Daily spoke with said the government supports them in various sectors in a significant way. “In the past, we witnessed the launch of several initiatives to support youth. We hope support for young people will continue to be reflected in the national economy. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik supports the Omani youth in all his speeches. We, the young people, must always be ready to work, creatively and innovatively, to achieve Oman Vision 2040,” said Muadh Humaid Salim al Subhi, CEO of Raseen Company.

Sultan Qaboos – An inspiration for all young Omanis

According to Hussein Mahmood al Lawati, founder of La Oficina Coworking Space, youth have a great role in building any nation. “What we need as youth is a mind ready to transform, to be more responsible in creating a positive change and act with integrity. Our late Sultan Qaboos, who started Oman’s Renaissance at the age of 29 years, is an inspiration for all young Omanis,” he said.

Lawati believes all youth should hold themselves responsible and accountable to contribute to the implementation of Oman Vision 2040.

“We can all see how His Majesty Sultan Haitham believes in the role of youth in transforming the country. It is the right time to join the efforts to optimise the future opportunities and take the lead in what we are doing passionately,” he added.

Ahlam al Moqbali, a young entrepreneur, said, “I am happy that I belong to a country like Oman. My country is beautiful and distinguished in everything – its history, environment and people. Oman is unique in every way, and that is why I and other young people love this good country.”

Expressing concern about the current state of affairs, Ahlam said, “I am worried, but I realise that the whole world is in an economic crisis. I know that Oman’s vision for 2040 will not fail the youth. Omani youth need empowerment, opportunities and confidence because they are the future of Oman.”

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has honoured 1,019 young men and women who participated in national and international competitions during the 2015–2020 period. The ministry started 362 initiatives targetting 27,590 individuals.

On International Youth Day 2021, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “Young people are on the frontlines of the struggle to build a better future for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire need for the kind of transformational change they seek – and young people must be full partners in that effort.”

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