Salalah – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al Husn Palace in Salalah on Thursday.

His Majesty the Sultan greeted Omani citizens and expatriates on the occasion of the 52nd Glorious National Day. He prayed to Allah for a happy comeback of this glorious day and similar occasions at a time when Oman and its noble people are blessed with further progress, prosperity and tranquility.

His Majesty the Sultan valued the sincere sentiments, prayers and greetings of citizens and residents in all parts of Oman on this auspicious occasion. He commended citizens’ and residents’ joy and celebration of the national occasion in Dhofar, describing the festivities as a source of pride and evidence of allegiance and gratitude.

Next, His Majesty explored local, regional and international developments.

His Majesty the Sultan took note of the Council of Ministers’ keenness to monitor and follow up on financial indicators in light of positive results achieved by the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan, which contributed to maintaining the safe financial position of Oman. In this context, His Majesty directed the launch of the National Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Development Programme for a period of three years starting in January 2023.

After the Council of Ministers elaborated on the economic performance, the 10th Five-Year Plan and projects endorsed for implementation within the duration of the plan, His Majesty instructed units of the State’s Administrative Apparatus to double efforts to achieve the best results in economic diversification sectors to boost the economy and growth rate.

His Majesty underscored the importance of completing development projects endorsed for the 10th Five Year Plan and finalisation of projects as scheduled and within approved budgets.

His Majesty also gave directives for the execution of additional development projects alongside projects endorsed through the 10th Five Year Plan, including works on the Sultan Qaboos Dual-carriageway in Salalah, restoration of a rainwater drainage system for the same carriageway, and construction of a multi-purpose port in Masirah.

Following the Council of Ministers’ keenness to continue offering necessary support and alleviate the impact of inflation on citizens, His Majesty endorsed a number of initiatives as follows:

1. The promotion of 2012 government employees of the civil service and other departments who are eligible for promotion, effective 2023.
2. Fixing vehicle fuel prices in accordance with October 2021 rates, as a maximum ceiling, until the end of 2023.
3. Extending the job security gratuity for citizens whose services are terminated within Oman until the end of June 2023.
4. Waiving outstanding housing loans of employees and retirees of Sultan’s Armed Forces and Royal Guard of Oman who earn less than RO450 per month. This follows the norm of writing off outstanding loans of citizens who are beneficiaries of housing loans provided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.

In efforts to revise government service fees, the Council of Ministers reviewed the outcome of the second phase of the government services pricing guide project. It was agreed to cancel, reduce and merge an additional set of government service fees in a manner that ensures support for the activities of the economic sectors, enhances the competitiveness of the national economy, and streamlines the completion of government procedures.

After the Council of Ministers heard the position of the initiatives related to jobs and the National Employment Programme, His Majesty underscored the significance of authorities coordinating with various sectors to realise and follow up on employment objectives, acceleration of execution, and support of approved employment initiatives in various sectors.

As part of the Cabinet’s follow-up of preparations and organisational procedures for the municipal councils’ elections for the third term, scheduled to take place on December 25, 2022, His Majesty the Sultan commended the efforts made by the authorities concerned to develop and simplify the electoral process to enable voters to cast their votes with ease.

His Majesty laid emphasis on the role of municipal councils within the framework of the powers granted to them. He stressed the importance of integrating these roles with those of governors with the prime aim of developing governorates.

On regional and international developments, His Majesty stressed on the fundamentals of Oman’s foreign policy, which espouse the approach of dialogue, peace and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Majesty the Sultan spoke about several of aspects of interest to the country and citizens. He wished all success in realising the good of the nation.
ONA