Opinion

OCCI exemption boosts private sector growth

 
The exemption offered by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Board of Directors to all private sector firms and institutions from overdue membership renewal fees for the previous year completes the foregoing rounds of fee exemptions.

This exemption is obviously intended to provide more facilities for the private sector within the context of achieving the ultimate goal of encouraging, activating, and consolidating economic activities and represents a vital and effective impetus.

This exemption provides the stage for a new effective start in business sectors and opens greater vistas for people desiring to restart commercial activity at all levels and perspectives. It also draws greater satisfaction in the private sector.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry never hesitates to provide the best services to its members in all issues and aspects pertaining to its legislative, procedural, and executive jurisdictions to pave the way for all individuals to seriously, effectively, and positively contribute to the development of a national economy capable of adapting to changes and keeping up with global trends.

The Chamber Board of Directors undertakes significant efforts on a regular basis to evaluate the demands of the business sector, based on a range of facts and situations.



It should be noted that comparable exemptions were given in the past due to the world's health conditions at the time, because of a belief in the significance of assisting firms in extraordinary situations such as the Covid-19 crisis.

However, the exemption of fees in the present normal conditions indicates the kindness and comfort of the Chamber's Board of Directors in waiving due payments that must be collected in order to reduce the burden of businesses engaged in all economic activities.

According to statistics relating to the Chamber's Board of Directors' decision exempting private sector companies from overdue membership renewal fees, which took effect from February 1 to June 1, 2023, the number of companies benefiting from the decision was 3,545, with the value of the exemption sums benefiting from the decision totaling RO 557,278.

Despite all of the facilities and benefits given by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry to those seeking to take advantage of what it offers, the membership fees are not too expensive for the business practitioner to pay.

However, in addition to all other things, the Board of Directors considers those who have not renewed their membership in each period and exempts them from renewal for previous years in the good faith of motivation and starting the renewal and benefiting from the practice of various commercial activities.

We believe that these exemptions will provide an excellent justification for individuals who do not renew their membership to renew it and benefit from the three-month exemption period which began on July 16

Everyone should take the initiative to make use of the Chamber’s varied services and branches. Since its inception as the first non-governmental organisation in 1973, the Chamber has worked relentlessly and continues to work aggressively and persistently to serve and safeguard the interests of its members.