MUSCAT: Oman Vision 2040’s long-term potential to drive transformative socio-economic development was highlighted at a media briefing held under the auspices of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit on Monday.
Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Head of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit; Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion; Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority; Sayyid Dr Munther bin Hilal al Busaidy, Deputy Head of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, and Dr Jokha bint Abdullah al Shukailiyah, CEO of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education, shared their perspectives on this visionary roadmap.
Acting as an umbrella for national programmes, Oman Vision 2040 stands as a proven blueprint for comprehensive national development, driving economic and social transformation towards the vision's ambitious goals, said Dr Al Jabri. He emphasised that the Vision not only provides clear direction but also expedites the implementation of plans derived from it.
“It has become the national reference for comprehensive development and the primary framework for national programmes led by relevant government agencies in achieving economic and social transformation,” he stated.
The unit was established to meet the vision's requirements and provide support to government agencies involved in its implementation. It aims to foster effective partnerships and assist in overcoming the challenges encountered while pursuing their objectives. The unit is committed to principles such as partnership, responsibility, flexibility, and integration.
Dr Al Jabri mentioned that ongoing collaboration with government agencies is focused on improving indicators related to the Oman Vision 2040 priorities. Currently, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) indicator is receiving particular attention, and national programmes play a vital role in achieving the vision's priorities.
According to Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, the Sultanate of Oman witnessed a 5 per cent increase in the actual value of private investments and a 10.5 per cent increase in foreign direct investment compared to 2021. Foreign investment flows accounted for 4.2 per cent of the country's GDP. The National Program for Investment and Export Development, known as Nizdahar, aims to enhance the private sector's role in economic development by creating an attractive investment environment and streamlining investor procedures through digitisation and simplification. Al Yousef also emphasised the development of investment partnerships between Oman and the international and local business communities.
Sayyid Dr Munther al Busaidy, Deputy Head of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, explained that the focus has been on indicators with the highest impact within the Oman Vision 2040. The number of indicators has been reduced from 68 to 39, consisting of 5 international indicators and 34 national indicators.
Dr Al Busaidy confirmed that 40 government agencies have reached agreements and obtained approval for their indicator cards. The second phase aims to involve additional government agencies and develop indicator cards for the governorates. These cards serve as a reference for setting annual plans and defining future directions aligned with the vision's objectives, leading to effective projects and initiatives.
Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, highlighted the extensive environmental efforts and initiatives undertaken by the authority and relevant government and private entities. These initiatives focus on elevating the environmental sector in Oman in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Al Amri emphasised the timeliness of Oman's national strategy for transitioning to carbon neutrality, given the global attention to environmental and climate issues, which have become key guiding factors for the economy.
Regarding education, Dr Jokha al Shukailiyah, CEO of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education, stated that the education sector holds a prominent position within the Oman Vision 2040 priorities. The goal is to establish an effective educational system that enhances the quality of education and fosters scientific research and innovation.
Dr Al Shukailiyah outlined numerous programmes and initiatives across all educational levels. These include the issuance of the Higher Education Law and the School Education Law, as well as the launch of the National Leadership Framework. She noted the significant progress made by Omani universities in global rankings, with five Omani universities, in addition to Sultan Qaboos University, competing among 500 universities worldwide for advanced ranks.
Oman Vision 2040 is based on four axes: human and society, economy and development, governance and institutional performance, and sustainable environment. It encompasses 12 national priorities, and the Follow-up Unit has successfully collaborated with relevant authorities to complete numerous projects related to each priority. These projects include the construction of 42 public schools through public-private partnerships, initiatives to develop national capabilities in investment and economic fields, the construction and expansion of 49 new public schools, and the maintenance and renovation of existing schools.
Efforts have also been directed towards strengthening the global rankings of Sultan Qaboos University, enacting legislation to encourage private sector investment in research and development activities, and implementing the Maken programme to enhance research capabilities in the economic field for national talents. Initiatives have also been launched to equip school students with essential skills, she added.
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