THANK YOU, YOUR MAJESTY

As the Sultanate of Oman celebrates 53 years of Renaissance under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik who inspires every Omani, we pray for his well-being and are grateful for the many good deeds he has done for the nation and its loyal people ever since his accession to the throne.

On January 11, 2020, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik pledged to continue to shape Oman in the new era. This is evident following the testimonies of citizens and expatriates in the country who have expressed confidence in his leadership that is taking the Sultanate of Oman forward.

Since the very first day of his rule, His Majesty the Sultan has exerted sincere efforts to set up a new phase of Oman’s renewed Renaissance that meets the requirements of the upcoming period and fulfil the aspirations of the Omani people as well as preserve the achievements that took place in the last five decades.

During the past three years, His Majesty the Sultan issued several directives and has taken a number of steps for the implementation of Oman Vision 2040 which was launched at the beginning of January 2021 for execution in four consecutive plans beginning with 10th Five-Year Development Plan (2021-2025).

Based on the national priorities of Oman Vision 2040, His Majesty the Sultan called for the channelling of all efforts and resources for the realisation of goals and programmes of fiscal balance, the development of legal instruments for investments, the streamlining and acceleration of government services, the development of economic zones and the implementation of major projects, besides upgrading national expertise. All these have been linked to the employment of citizens being a top national priority.

In this context, His Majesty the Sultan underlined the government’s constant keenness to pursue five-year plans aimed at achieving the goals and priorities of Oman Vision 2040.

Within the framework of reviewing state-owned companies and improving their performance, His Majesty the Sultan issued Royal Decree No 61/2020, directing the establishment of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), as a unified investment body comprising investment, monitoring and executive entities. The establishment of OIA marks a significant step that will contribute to augmenting investment revenues and improving the sultanate’s international credit status.

On the foreign front, His Majesty the Sultan reaffirmed Oman’s foreign policy, which is based on good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation with all. His Majesty the Sultan has always reiterated the Sultanate of Oman’s principle of neutrality and non-intervention in the internal affairs of others.

In his first public remarks as head of state, His Majesty the Sultan promised to uphold his predecessor’s foreign policy. “We will follow the same line as the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and the principles that he asserted for the foreign policy of our country, of peaceful coexistence among nations and people, and good neighbourly behaviour of non-interference in the affairs of others.”

Thanks to the recognition and confidence that the Sultanate of Oman enjoys on the international level, it is keen on adopting the principle of dialogue for resolving regional issues out of belief in the importance of peaceful solutions and mutual cooperation to ensure stability in the region.

Within the context of the ongoing crises in the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman has been able to maintain its position as one of the few countries that maintain good relations with all parties concerned when many other countries face challenges in keeping up with dialogue and it remains committed to carrying out its significant role in bridging viewpoints.

The achievements of His Majesty the Sultan are amply evident and manifest in every sphere of life. In these three years, he has sowed and cultivated true faith in the people and is now considered the new father figure of the nation after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said who will forever be a torch to guide the nation.