The citizens of Oman have rendered an indispensable contribution to the achievements seen during the nation’s continuing development. Our country has attained notable results and accomplishments across social and economic sectors, as well as in fiscal performance, in spite of the global economic challenges that have impacted our economic and national programmes. Our plans strive to address the exigencies of the present and aim for sustainable development through efficient resource management, ultimately seeking to reduce public debt burdens. Part of our fiscal surplus has been allocated to invigorating social sectors and stimulating growth.
The implementation of our fiscal sustainability plan has profoundly and positively influenced the consolidation of the country’s financial standing and augmented the efficiency of our spending. The national programmes initiated have been instrumental in bolstering economic growth and catalysing investment in burgeoning sectors. We reaffirm our commitment to continuing to diversify sources of national income – in particular revenue from non-oil sectors – to ensure the long-term stability of public finances. Simultaneously, we envisage the recently introduced social protection scheme to be comprehensive, extending its benefits to all segments of society. Our dedication to sparing no effort to achieve the objectives delineated in Oman Oman Vision 2040 remains steadfast.
The restructuring of the national administrative apparatus has been pivotal in augmenting the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations. We remain dedicated to overseeing the implementation of endorsed principles for procedural streamlining, with the objective of integrating these principles as a prominent aspect of governmental performance.
Our endeavours have supported the continuous development of the health, education and service sectors, which have expanded in proportion to our population’s growth. We have focused on implementing initiatives in these sectors that are grounded in realistic, thoroughly researched strategies and plans to ensure comprehensive and inclusive development.
Our emphasis on developing the governorates and reinforcing decentralisation has been realised through the system of governorates and the law of municipal councils. This strategy is in line with our vision for locally administered governance, and dovetails with our objectives to empower local communities in managing their affairs and actively participating in the nation-building process.
Recognising that educational institutions, cultural centres and research constitute the foundation of our society’s scientific and intellectual advancement, and act as drivers for our technological and industrial progress, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering the education sector. This includes adapting academic curricula to meet the demands of economic development, and broadening opportunities for our youth to engage in scientific expertise, and immerse themselves in the broad realms of science and knowledge.
In light of advancements in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and their applications, and with the recognition of the necessity to diversify sources of income, Oman is intent on positioning the digital economy as a pivotal and central pillar of the national economy. We have promulgated directives to inaugurate a national programme for adopting and localising AI, and to expedite the establishment of legislation that enables AI technologies to play an instrumental role in developmental sectors.
Moreover, driven by our belief in addressing climate change’s impacts, and our commitment to sustainable and renewable energy, we have directed efforts to expedite the development of the renewable energy sector. This encompasses the development of its legal and policy framework, and the provision of incentives to encourage foreign investment and local industries to foster the domestic growth of this vital technology.
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