Category: General

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman advanced 0.53 points in the field of ‘protecting the competitiveness of the business environment’ in 2023.

This was unveiled in the annual assessment carried out by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on legislative frameworks for the business environment in the 22-state Arab world.

The evaluation was based on specific indicators on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of legislations related to fair practices in the market-like protecting consumer rights, providing a transparent business environment conducive to investors, enhancing corporate governance and enabling strategic reform that contributes to improving the business environment and augmenting economic growth.

The evaluation focuses on legal frameworks and mechanisms for measuring outcomes as a means of classifying countries in the region. Consequently, it improves the analysis of regional trends and ensures a comprehensive assessment of legal structures.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: The National Competitiveness Committee (NCC) today held its 1st meeting for 2024 under the chairmanship of Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy.

The meeting reviewed NCC’s decisions for 2022 and 2023, and developments in the Future of Growth Report (formerly the Global Competitiveness Report), as the evaluation methodology and structure of the report were changed.

The meeting also discussed the work progress of the Business Readiness and Economic Freedom Team, which is led by the National Programme for Investment and Export Development “Nazdaher”. It also touched on the outputs of the health indicators workshop, which aimed at addressing the mechanism for calculating health indicators linked to international indicators and followed by the National Competitiveness Office.

The NCC also reviewed during the meeting the developments in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023, issued by the Transparency International.

Source: Oman News Agency

Moscow, Russian air defense units shot down 6 Ukrainian drones on Saturday night over the Russian border region of Belgorod and over the Black Sea.

‘Russian air defense units intercepted six drones bound for targets in Russia and the Black Sea overnight on Feb. 25, ‘the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said that two drones were shot down over Belgorod Oblast and four were intercepted over the Black Sea.

On Saturday morning, the Russian Defense Forces announced that it shot down six Ukrainian drones.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates ‘Madayn’ celebrated today the inauguration of Phase One of Ibri Industrial City.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the auspices of Najeeb Ali Al Rawas, Governor of A’Dhahirah. Highlighting the significance of developing an industrial hub in A’Dhahirah Governorate, Al Rawas emphasised that this inauguration marks a strategic continuation of the Omani government’s goal to ensure balanced economic growth across the governorates.

Al Rawas added, ‘Aligned with the core objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040, this project aims to present a dynamic and competitive investment landscape that appeals to both local and foreign investors. The introduction of an industrial city in A’Dhahirah Governorate is poised to catalyze a significant qualitative leap in manufacturing industries and commercial activities. These activities will contribute to generating job opportunities, encourage exports and the establishment of export industries, while also stimulating
economic sectors such as transportation and banking,’ Al Rawas pointed out.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Ibri Industrial City infrastructure project (Phase One), Salah Nasser Al Alawi, Director General of Ibri Industrial City, said, ‘The industrial city spans an extensive area of 10 million sqm, with Phase One successfully completed at a cost of RO 9 million, covering 3 million sqm. The presence of a fully-equipped industrial city will serve as a pivotal factor in driving development and fostering an ideal environment for the private sector to engage in a diverse range of industrial, commercial and service activities.’

Al Alawi further highlighted the commitment of Madayn to promote investment in Ibri Industrial City through the introduction of a comprehensive incentive package.

‘These incentives resulted in a notable increase in investor interest, with 10 projects now underway in Ibri Industrial City, boasting an initial investment totaling RO 6.5 million. Several of these projects have already c
ommenced construction and development activities,’ Al Alawi noted.

On his part, Ahmed Mohammed Al Farsi, Director of Projects at Madayn’s Directorate General of Facilities and Infrastructure, stated that Phase One of the development project of Ibri Industrial City, includes the construction of roads, truck parking zone, water network and water tank, firefighting network, sewage networks and collection tank, dyke for protection against rainwater, and security system with surveillance cameras.

Al Farsi elaborated on the completed phase featuring the construction of 17.8 km of road network and a 24.7-km water network.

On his turn, Dr. Said Khalifa Al Quraini, Director General of Investment Development at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), highlighted the Authority’s commitment to two core functions: ‘Planning and development’ and ‘regulation and supervision.’

Al Quraini affirmed that OPAZ is dedicated to streamlining procedures for investors and providing robust after-serv
ice support to promote business continuity and growth. ‘OPAZ collaborates with key stakeholders to promote and attract investments, aiming to enhance the added value of targeted sectors and expedite economic progress in Duqm while actively getting engaged in accelerating the implementation of development plans in various governorates to boost the country’s competitive advantage,’ Al Quraini said.

Meanwhile, Zakiya Mohammed Al Balushi, Director of Planning and Studies at OPAZ, delivered a presentation on the Economic Zone Project at A’Dhahirah Governorate. She added that the economic zone is geared up to undertake an instrumental role in facilitating cross-border trade and investment.

Further, four investment contracts worth RO 7 million were signed during the ceremony to establish a factory specialized in the oil and gas industry, a food industry factory (roasted coffee) a manufacturing factory (coal and its derivatives) and a light industries (cardboard) project.

Moreover, the ceremony came within the fra
mework of the Secretariat General of National Celebrations (SGNC) programme to inaugurate key national projects.

Source: Oman News Agency

Raqqa, 14 citizens were martyred and 8 others were injured as a result of the explosion of a landmine left by ISIS terrorists in the Raqqa desert, while they were collecting truffle mushrooms.

The Governor of Raqqa, Abdul Razzaq Khalifa, said in a statement ‘While some residents were collecting truffle mushrooms in the Raqqa desert, a landmine left by terrorist groups exploded, leading to the martyrdom of 14 citizens and the wounding of 8 others with various injuries,’.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates ‘Madayn’ celebrated today the inauguration of Phase One of Ibri Industrial City.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the auspices of Najeeb Ali Al Rawas, Governor of A’Dhahirah. Highlighting the significance of developing an industrial hub in A’Dhahirah Governorate, Al Rawas emphasised that this inauguration marks a strategic continuation of the Omani government’s goal to ensure balanced economic growth across the governorates.

Al Rawas added, ‘Aligned with the core objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040, this project aims to present a dynamic and competitive investment landscape that appeals to both local and foreign investors. The introduction of an industrial city in A’Dhahirah Governorate is poised to catalyze a significant qualitative leap in manufacturing industries and commercial activities. These activities will contribute to generating job opportunities, encourage exports and the establishment of export industries, while also stimulating
economic sectors such as transportation and banking,’ Al Rawas pointed out.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Ibri Industrial City infrastructure project (Phase One), Salah Nasser Al Alawi, Director General of Ibri Industrial City, said, ‘The industrial city spans an extensive area of 10 million sqm, with Phase One successfully completed at a cost of RO 9 million, covering 3 million sqm. The presence of a fully-equipped industrial city will serve as a pivotal factor in driving development and fostering an ideal environment for the private sector to engage in a diverse range of industrial, commercial and service activities.’

Al Alawi further highlighted the commitment of Madayn to promote investment in Ibri Industrial City through the introduction of a comprehensive incentive package.

‘These incentives resulted in a notable increase in investor interest, with 10 projects now underway in Ibri Industrial City, boasting an initial investment totaling RO 6.5 million. Several of these projects have already c
ommenced construction and development activities,’ Al Alawi noted.

On his part, Ahmed Mohammed Al Farsi, Director of Projects at Madayn’s Directorate General of Facilities and Infrastructure, stated that Phase One of the development project of Ibri Industrial City, includes the construction of roads, truck parking zone, water network and water tank, firefighting network, sewage networks and collection tank, dyke for protection against rainwater, and security system with surveillance cameras.

Al Farsi elaborated on the completed phase featuring the construction of 17.8 km of road network and a 24.7-km water network.

On his turn, Dr. Said Khalifa Al Quraini, Director General of Investment Development at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), highlighted the Authority’s commitment to two core functions: ‘Planning and development’ and ‘regulation and supervision.’

Al Quraini affirmed that OPAZ is dedicated to streamlining procedures for investors and providing robust after-serv
ice support to promote business continuity and growth. ‘OPAZ collaborates with key stakeholders to promote and attract investments, aiming to enhance the added value of targeted sectors and expedite economic progress in Duqm while actively getting engaged in accelerating the implementation of development plans in various governorates to boost the country’s competitive advantage,’ Al Quraini said.

Meanwhile, Zakiya Mohammed Al Balushi, Director of Planning and Studies at OPAZ, delivered a presentation on the Economic Zone Project at A’Dhahirah Governorate. She added that the economic zone is geared up to undertake an instrumental role in facilitating cross-border trade and investment.

Further, four investment contracts worth RO 7 million were signed during the ceremony to establish a factory specialized in the oil and gas industry, a food industry factory (roasted coffee) a manufacturing factory (coal and its derivatives) and a light industries (cardboard) project.

Moreover, the ceremony came within the fra
mework of the Secretariat General of National Celebrations (SGNC) programme to inaugurate key national projects.

Source: Oman News Agency

Tunis, During its participation in the first meeting of heads of educational measurement and evaluation institutions in Arab countries, which was held in Tunis, the Syrian delegation gave a presentation on the experience of the Ministry of Education in the areas of evaluating educational curricula and building tests.

The delegation, which was headed by the Director of the Center for Educational Measurement and Evaluation in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ramadan Darwish, presented during the meeting the educational projects implemented in the Category ‘B’ curriculum, enabling education, and evaluating the questions of the basic and secondary education certificate exams and analyzing their results.

During the meeting called for by the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), it was agreed to establish an Arab network for measurement and evaluation that would work to unify terminology, exchange experiences and information in this field, and build a unified Arab test similar to internat
ional tests.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamad Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, today congratulated male and female teachers on the occasion of Omani Teacher’s Day.

The greetings message reads as follows: ‘We are pleased to congratulate teachers, both male and female, in our dear country on the occasion of the celebration marking Omani Teacher’s Day, which fallson 24 February.

We value teachers’ central role in the educational process and their abundant contribution in grooming future cadres, empowering them with useful knowledge, sound values and sciences, so that they could in turn contribute to the service of the nation.

We wish teachers success in accomplishing their important mission. We also extend our deep thanks to the administrative bodies and all personnel operating in the field of education. We appreciate their tangible efforts in upgrading the education system.

We wish that the endeavours of all be crowned with success.

Many happy returns of the occasion.’

Sou
rce: Oman News Agency

Riyadh, The Syrian women’s football team beat its Iraqi counterpart (3-0) goals in the match that brought them together Saturday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the 3rd and final round of the group stage of the WAFF Women’s Championship 2024 tournament in its eighth edition.

The team’s goals were scored by Maria Elias, Nour Mustafa, and Razan Khawandi in the 42nd, 49th and 80th minutes.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamad Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, today congratulated male and female teachers on the occasion of Omani Teacher’s Day.

The greetings message reads as follows: ‘We are pleased to congratulate teachers, both male and female, in our dear country on the occasion of the celebration marking Omani Teacher’s Day, which fallson 24 February.

We value teachers’ central role in the educational process and their abundant contribution in grooming future cadres, empowering them with useful knowledge, sound values and sciences, so that they could in turn contribute to the service of the nation.

We wish teachers success in accomplishing their important mission. We also extend our deep thanks to the administrative bodies and all personnel operating in the field of education. We appreciate their tangible efforts in upgrading the education system.

We wish that the endeavours of all be crowned with success.

Many happy returns of the occasion.’

Sou
rce: Oman News Agency

Cairo, Ambassador Hussam Eddin Ala, Syria’s permanent representative to the Arab League said that Syria’s current priority is to liberate the rest of its land from terrorism and occupation.

Meeting an Egyptian media delegation from ‘Media gathering in support of Syria’, Ala said that the delegation’s visit to the Syrian Embassy in Cairo coincided with the anniversary of the unity between Syria and Egypt which constituted an important milestone in the history of the two countries and embodied the deep ties between the two brotherly peoples.

He underlined the importance of the gathering in revealing the reality of the terrorist war against Syria before the Arab and international public opinion.

Ala briefed the member of the delegation on the latest development in Syria after defeating terrorism thanks to the Syrian Arab Army, indicating that the country’s priority is to liberate the rest of its lands from terrorism, the Turkish and American occupation, recover from the economic consequences of the crisis and
improve the living conditions in light of the unilateral Western coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people.

Ala stressed the importance of the joint Arab action to stop the Israeli occupation’s genocide in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory and confront the plan of forced displacement that it is trying to impose on the Palestinian people, pointing out the priority of immediately stopping the aggression and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip to enable the Palestinians to withstand and confront the aggression.

For their parts, the delegation members expressed their full solidarity with Syria in its war against terrorism and occupation and in the face of the Israeli-American aggression.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Hama, Five citizens were martyred Saturday in the explosion of a land mine left behind by the terrorist organization (Daesh) in the vicinity of Tal Salamah in Hama countryside.

A local source told SANA reporter that citizens were searching for truffle mushrooms in the eastern countryside of Salamiyah, and a landmine exploded on them, causing of their martyrdom.

The source added that their bodies were transferred to Salamiyah National Hospital.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Baghdad, Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari announced on Saturday the formation of a joint liaison cell with Jordan, Lebanon and Syria to combat drugs.

Al-Shammari’s remarks came during the Sixth Baghdad International Dialogue Conference.

He said that the quadripartite meeting held recently in Jordan came up with a set of recommendations, the most important of which is the formation of a joint liaison cell in order to save time and follow up on international drug smuggling gangs.

Al-Shammari pointed out the considerable cooperation by the neighboring on drug control which resulted in the arrest of drug dealers, dismantling of many drug smuggling networks, and activating the control.

On February 17, a quadripartite meeting was held in the Jordanian capital of Amman with the participation of the interior ministers of Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon to discuss joint efforts to fight against drugs.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, The second phase of restoring the Syrian artifacts affected by the terrorist war on Syria began, in cooperation between the Syrian Ministry of Culture, the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), and Oman National Museum.

Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums, Mohammed Nazeer Awad said that agreement signed with Oman National Museum included the number of the Syrian artifacts and how to ship them to Sultanate of Oman to be restored and then displayed in Oman National Museum so that its visitors from all over the world could learn about Syrian civilization, its heritage and originality.

Awad added that restoration of the artifacts came as part of the cooperation agreement between Syria and Oman, including restoring museums, the historical buildings and the artifacts, the last of which are the restoration of the buildings of Aleppo Citadel which was damaged in the earthquake hit the country last February.

Awad said that the Oman National Museum has a laboratory
for restoring various types and sizes of the large stone pieces and has recourse to experts in this field, including the Russian experts from Hermitage Museum.

Russian media quoted the Secretary-General of the Omani National Museum, Jamal bin Hassan Al Moosawi as saying that 207 Syrian artifacts were restored in 2021 and 2022 in Muscat, and this year the museum will begin to restore about 200 to 300 ones and that will take two years with the participation of the Russian experts.

These joint efforts will contribute to enhancing the cultural and historical awareness of society, and reviving historical sites to enhance their role as important sources of research, learning, and cultural interaction.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency