Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has held three meetings this month with sheikhs of Dakhliyah, Al Wusta, North Sharqiyah and South Sharqiyah at Hisn A’Shumookh castle in Manah.

The meetings aim to confer with citizens in all parts of the sultanate in line with His Majesty the Sultan’s conviction in the significance of listening in people’s views and proposals in the interest of the country.

Many citizens and experts hailed these meetings.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Dr Ahmed al Balushi, Dean of College of Engineering at National University of Science and Technology, said, “These meetings aim to build the country. The meetings of His Majesty the Sultan with citizens is an ancient Omani tradition approved by the Late Sultan Qaboos.

“The new stage in building the nation requires meeting the sheikhs of the governorates and listening to the supreme directives for the success of the government’s plans to develop each of the wilayats of the sultanate.”

He noted that the tours of the Late Sultan Qaboos had positive results on the growth of the country. “His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s meetings with the sheikhs will strengthen the economy, create reassurance among members of society, and help development in sectors, including health and education.”

According to Dr Suleiman Zahir al Shuraiqi, senior specialist at National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Ministry of Health, the meetings contribute to the leadership’s communication channels with the people of the country and to hear citizens’ requests. “These meetings also aim to inform citizens of the government’s plans, strengthen the economy, and overcome the challenges facing the Omani economy.”

Additionally, he noted, these meetings will help clarify strategic projects to be implemented to support the economy and create opportunities for jobseekers. These create an atmosphere of reassurance and optimism among citizens that development plans will include all the governorates of the sultanate.

“These meetings embody the true meaning of the compatibility between the leadership and the people of Oman. We are optimistic that these meetings will delight the Omani people and increase confidence of the people in their leader and vice versa,” said Marhoun al Saidi, an account executive.

Ali al Shayadi, a teacher, described the meetings in line with the tours undertaken by the Late Sultan Qaboos, which lasted for many weeks in different governorates. “We thank His Majesty the Sultan for continuing to hold these meetings. It indicates the interest of His Majesty the Sultan to listen directly to the problems of citizens, solve them, and work to develop all the governorates of the sultanate. We wish that the meetings continue to help achieve prosperity for our country.”

Dr Ahmed Said al Jhwari, legal consultant, said the meetings aim to support decentralisation in the sultanate, which will lead to implementation of many projects and support small and medium-size enterprises.

“The meetings also aim to activate the role of governors in developing their governorates,” Jhwari informed.