Salalah Free Zone recently signed five agreements totaling RO 44 million, initiating five new investments across various industries. These agreements span from Oman to Hong Kong, Jordan to Kuwait, showcasing the free zone’s expanding global partnerships. Significant investments include establishing factories for:
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The Sultanate of Oman is set to make history with its ambitious vision of establishing the first-ever spaceport in the Middle East, expected to be operational by 2030.
This groundbreaking initiative was unveiled as part of an investment agreement signed between the National Satellite Services Company (Nascom) and Omantel, marking the creation of a new space services company named 'Etlaq' at the prestigious Middle East Space Conference in Muscat. This strategic move aims to position Oman as an attractive destination for international space exploration companies. The vision aligns with global trends, as major players in the aerospace industry, such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, explore the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as potential launch sites for their space tourism flights. As Oman ventures into the realm of space exploration, Etlaq is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region's involvement in this rapidly advancing industry. The spaceport's development signifies Oman's commitment to becoming a key player in the global space race, offering a promising outlook for the nation's space endeavors in the years to come. Oman Air has achieved the top position globally for on-time performance, leading the world's airlines with an impressive 92.3%. Other Gulf carriers also ranked high, with Qatar Airways securing the third spot at 85.11%, and Saudia ranking ninth with 81.29% on-time arrivals.
Source: Cirium, a leading provider of aviation analytics, annually publishes on-time performance ratings. 1) Oman's Vision for a Sustainable Future: New Eco-Friendly City in Greater Salalah
Oman is planning a sustainable city east of Al Dahariz, accommodating 30,000 to 40,000 residents and featuring eco-friendly elements like solar and wind power, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient buildings. Aligned with Oman's Vision 2040, the initiative aims to make the country more sustainable. This development, part of the Greater Salalah master-plan, contributes to Oman's commitment to environmental responsibility, exemplified by other projects like the Yiti Sustainable City in Muscat. These sustainable cities not only showcase Oman's dedication to reducing environmental impact but also serve as global examples for fostering a more sustainable world. 2) Oman Boosts Tourism: More Flights, Visas, and Safety for Travelers Oman's airport management is actively encouraging airlines currently operating sporadic charter flights to consider transitioning to regular scheduled services, with a specific emphasis on attracting increased flights to Salalah. In collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the airport management is engaged in promotional efforts to enhance the appeal of Salalah. Oman is strategically focused on augmenting tourist influx, notably from countries such as India and China. The introduction of a visa waiver program for 103 countries in 2021 has been pivotal in fostering tourism, particularly from these Asian nations. Oman's allure as a preferred destination for Indian weddings and the escalating number of Chinese visitors further underscore its tourism potential. The country's reputation as one of the world's "Top ten safest countries" and its historical role as a mediator in regional disputes contribute significantly to its appeal for tourists. 3) Oman Air Secures Major Partnership with Chelsea FC in the English Premier League Oman Air has teamed up with Chelsea FC for a big partnership that will last three years. Chelsea FC is a famous soccer team, and this deal means Oman Air will be their global airline partner. As part of this partnership, they will have a special design on their planes and work together on promotions and campaigns. Oman Air is excited because Chelsea has a massive fanbase of 135 million people worldwide, and they see it as a great way to show off Oman's culture to a global audience. This collaboration is part of Oman Air's efforts to support sports and promote Oman as a fantastic place to visit. Additionally, the imminent integration of Oman Air, the national carrier, into the OneWorld alliance in early 2024 is anticipated to stimulate increased services, thereby serving as a catalyst for further tourism development in the country. 4) Oman's Salalah Port Thrives: Record Cargo Growth and Employee Training The Port of Salalah in Oman is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has achieved notable progress. The port has experienced a significant 26% increase in general cargo volumes in the first half of the year, putting it on track to break its annual cargo throughput record. CEO Keld Mosgaard Christensen attributes the success to training and development initiatives, including the recently launched Tamkeen Talent Development Programme. Salalah, strategically located along major shipping lanes, is 30% owned by APM Terminals and provides crucial access to regions such as the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and East Africa. The port's capabilities include handling large container vessels, bulk shipments, bunkering operations, and warehousing services. A significant step forward in Oman's technology sector is about to happen as the Center for Hosting, Data Processing, and Cryptocurrency Mining is set to be inaugurated in the Salalah Free Zone this Sunday. The honor of officially starting the center's operations goes to H E Said bin Hamood al Maawali, the Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. Exahertz, a subsidiary of Al Afaq Technology, has been a key player in leading the establishment of this center, supported by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. This initiative is a crucial part of the government's comprehensive plan to encourage digital investments and facilitate the integration of advanced technologies. Here are a few key points about cryptocurrencies:
Oman is progressing in establishing a legal framework for digital assets and is seeking public input. The Capital Market Authority of Oman (CMA) has released a consultation paper outlining plans to regulate virtual asset service providers (VASPs), digital asset issuance, licensing, and fees. They aim to offer an alternative financing and investment platform while managing risks associated with virtual assets. The paper includes 26 questions covering topics such as capital requirements for VASPs, secure storage of digital assets, corporate governance, and privacy coins. Responses are expected by August 17, 2023 and will help shape the final policy. The effort to establish this framework began in 2020 and reflects regional trends, with countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also exploring digital asset adoption despite regulatory concerns. News from August 23th, 2023:
Easy Coins, the pioneer Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) in Oman, has achieved another milestone by becoming the first officially registered VASP under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority of Oman. Operating for two years, Easy Coins has maintained self-regulation throughout its existence, aligning with the principles of the CMA and FATF's KYC/AML requirements. This preparedness allowed a swift alignment with the registration process initiated by CMA for VASPs. Easy Coins holds the belief that societal innovation consistently outpaces regulatory frameworks across industries and nations. To realize the primary innovation pillar of Vision 2040, it is crucial that innovation remains unimpeded until regulators catch up. Instead of slowing innovators, the emphasis should be on allowing them to push boundaries while regulators rapidly adapt. The agility shown by capital markets in embracing virtual asset innovations is commended, and this flexible regulatory approach is anticipated to provide a fertile environment for the growth of this industry in Oman. If you are interested in buying cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, you can do it here: https://easycoins.me/ Eco-Friendly Beach Paradise "Osara" just opened
There's a cool new tourism project in Oman called "Osara." It's on a beach and is made entirely from recycled wood. The project is managed by young Omanis and offers lots of fun things to do. People of all ages can enjoy activities, events, and relax by the sea. There are games like arrow throwing and axe shooting, plus water bikes and boats. The project also has restaurants and cafes with ocean views. The founders of the project want it to be a special place for tourists and locals. They built it with recycled wood to be friendly to the environment. The project got help from the Dhofar Municipality, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, and the Port of Salalah. They want to encourage young people's ideas and make a cool place for everyone to enjoy in Salalah. Arab Girl Guides Camp in Salalah The 25th Arab Camp for Girl Guides and the 22nd Summer Camp for Girl Guides have begun in Salalah. Organized by the Ministry of Education, this camp runs until August 12 with the theme 'Future Skills, Innovation, Challenge, and Sustainability'. Girls will learn outdoor survival, keep guiding traditions, and improve camping. The goal is to teach them to take on challenges and try new things, through trips and creative seminars. Around 250 girls are there, including 144 from Oman and others from places like Libya, Qatar, and more. The camp includes sports, cultural events, art, and workshops. It's a chance to share and learn from each other. The camp mixes old traditions with new ideas, celebrating guiding and building skills for future leaders. Meeting for Young Volunteers from Gulf Countries in Salalah, Oman In Salalah, Oman, a gathering of young volunteers from different Gulf countries has started. It's called "Isnad" and will last for four days. The event is organized by Oman's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth. Young volunteers will attend workshops and talks to learn about different types of volunteering and how to manage volunteer projects well. The purpose of the forum is to teach young people about volunteering and teamwork, share successful volunteer projects, and discuss challenges. It's part of a program by the GCC General Secretariat to encourage young people to get involved in volunteering locally, regionally, and internationally. New water park opened Salalah, Oman, has welcomed the 'Al-Naseem Water Park' as a new tourism gem during the 2023 Khareef Dhofar season. Led by Governor Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said and officials, the park spans 40,000 square meters and offers various phases: a comprehensive water park, a miniature zoo, and a recreational game area. Managed by Al Naseem Group of Companies, the project aims to enrich Dhofar's tourism while providing engaging activities and employment opportunities. Salalah Airport had its first SalamAir flight from Bahrain on Wednesday. SalamAir is starting flights from Bahrain to promote tourism during the khareef season in Dhofar. Mohammed Ahmed al Rawas (Acting Deputy Chairman of Salalah Airport) believes that having a direct route between Salalah and Manama will support tourism in Dhofar and strengthen bonds with Bahrain. He hopes this route will activate tourism during the monsoon (Khareef Season). Source: MuscatDaily The Minister of Housing and Urban Planning in Oman announced that foreigners will be allowed to own property for 99 years in future cities like Sultan Haitham City. This is part of a larger initiative to develop new cities in Oman, including Greater Muscat, Greater Nizwa, Greater Salalah, and Greater Sohar. These projects will provide around 40,000 housing units on approximately 30-40 million square meters of land. The Ministry of Housing aims to prioritize governance, legislation, and digital transformation while working closely with the business sector to achieve their goals efficiently. Oman Air has seen a 20% increase in bookings to the Dhofar Governorate, particularly Salalah, compared to last year. This rise is attributed to the direct support provided by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, including fixing ticket prices between Muscat and Salalah at OMR54 for citizens during the Khareef season. The fixed prices apply to adults, children, and infants who book through official outlets or the Oman Air website. These prices will be evaluated for possible extension after the Khareef season. Oman's Hydrom and BP Oman have signed agreements worth over $20 billion to create three large-scale green hydrogen projects. These projects will be located in Oman's Al Wusta Governorate and cover a total area of 320 square kilometers. The goal is to produce an impressive half a million metric tons of green hydrogen, which is equivalent to generating 12 gigawatts of renewable energy. Oman aims to meet its target of producing 1 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
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