Muscat – The Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) on Wednesday launched a WhatsApp based service for people from all sectors seeking the ministry’s help.

Through ‘Muain’ service, the ministry seeks to serve and meet the needs of its customers round the clock via the WhatsApp number 72200113.

“The ministry aims to employ the virtual assistant service Muain via the WhatsApp in the customer service hall to help beneficiaries obtain the services seven days a week,” said a ministry official.

This facility will help MAFWR to upgrade its services to the beneficiaries shifting them from the traditional to modern outlets. It will enable direct interaction between the service provider and beneficiaries without having the need for personal presence for any service.

MAFWR seeks to operate an interactive service hall between visitors and the ministry to facilitate and simplify procedures for providing services through various channels and in various ways that enable the public to interact with them at all times.

“This facility would help reduce the personal presence of visitors and reach all segments of society by listing the services provided by the ministry to beneficiaries through the interactive platform,” the official added.

The ‘Muain’ service allows beneficiaries to receive real-time, 24-hour automated response to determine the geographical locations of the ministry’s facilities, book appointments to meet decision-makers in the ministry, provide phone numbers and communication channels with the ministry’s administrative divisions.

National project to document fishing culture begins

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has started a national project to register and document the intangible culture of the fishing profession in the coastal governorates of Oman.

The project, which will continue till June next year, will record all fishing practices, customs and traditions of fishermen in various governorates, an MAFWR official said.

The initiative will also help raise awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage among young fishermen, in light of the lack of a database on the traditions and methods of ancient Omani sea fishing.

“The project’s ultimate goal is to preserve the fishing heritage, which is considered a part of the national treasure and one of the most important pillars of the Omani identity,” the official added.