Today marks the 5th anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik ascension to the throne. On January 12, 2020, Oman was about to witness a new era. The changes that have taken place over the last five years are striking in both appearance and effect.
Without a showy outwards display, His Majesty the Sultan has put the economy at the top of his priorities.
Experiencing a well-planned growth and expansion, the Omani economy has been able to withstand the constraint of circumstances, while responding timely to the urgency of matters demanding attention.
Perhaps, the most notable outcome producing a decided, decisive and desired effect of the efforts exerted is the reduction in the public debt, which was threatening the financial stability and standing of the country. The plans devised by His Majesty the Sultan’s government over the last five years were meant to rationalise public expenditure, along with measures taken to make as effective and functional as possible strategies to reduce spending while maintaining efficiency and achieving financial sustainability.
Guided by 'Oman Vision 2040', the state 2025 budget has made provisions to boost both the education and health sectors. Oman plans to invest in education infrastructure by building new schools while the older ones are maintained with technology and resources provided to boost the provision of computers, enhance internet access and support library resources.
There is also a special focus on the healthcare sector’s infrastructure and access, with hospitals, clinics and primary healthcare centres either built or equipped with necessary equipment and systems. Omani citizens still enjoy free healthcare services along with vaccination programmes, screenings and health awareness campaigns provided to promote preventive care.
His Majesty the Sultan’s government has also introduced a strong social security system with multifaceted benefits. While Omanis in general enjoy socially acceptable amount of income and material possessions, the social protection system is meant to enhance economic stability and social cohesion, through the creation of a system that is robust and makes certain at the same time that the well-being of individuals consistently covers all the segments of society.
The social protection system well fits the literal words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his Hadith when he said the example of the believers in their feeling of liking, caring, compassion and forbearance for others is like that of a body. If any part of the body suffers from a dull persistent pain, the whole-body lays sleepless with fever.
Oman further possesses the key foundations of a modern country, providing it with the means and opportunity marked by characteristics of the present period to function in an effective manner.
Oman’s modern roads, highways, ports and airports are designed to enhance the transport and logistics sector, capable of producing desired results with little or no waste of resources. The country accords a higher value and superior position to economic progressive development, by emphasising connectivity, goods and people’s movement.
Under the reign of His Majesty the Sultan, Oman continues to maintain peace and security. Citizens and residents of Oman are secure from any form of threat of danger, harm and loss. Nothing in Oman is likely to be innocuous or to give offence or to arouse strong feelings or hostility. It is truly a place of bliss, felicity and delight. It can best be described as the paradise of Allah on earth. With unique physical and social setting, Oman is extraordinarily exciting aesthetic pleasure, peaceful and untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion. A visitor to Oman experiences an exceptional feeling of a piece of paradise.
Such calmness and a state of tranquility are reflected also in Oman’s foreign policy. By strictly adhering to the principle of non-interference in the affairs of others, Oman exercises the highest moral conduct of respect to the self-directing freedom and moral independence of other countries. Refraining itself from involvement in matters that do not concern it while advocating the freedom from unauthorised intrusion, Oman is one of a few countries in the world that respects the political, ethical and social privacy of other individuals, groups and nations.
Moving forward with steady steps, Oman under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik advances steadily and purposefully, with full of confidence, determination and progress.
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