News

MSX Declines 32 PointsMuscat, 14 Dec (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (32.4) points, comprising a drop by (0.66%) to close at (4866.48) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4898.86) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 2,630,011), comprising a drop by (51.9%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 5,465,376).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.161%) to reach about (RO 23.80) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...

Oman, Syria Ink MoU in Air Transport Muscat, 14 Dec (ONA) ---- The Sultanate of Oman and the Syrian Arab Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Air transport and reaching an agreement to regulate air transport services. The MoU, which was signed at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) here today, reflects the fraternal relations between the two countries. It was signed by Eng.Naif Ali Al Abri, CAA Chairman and Eng. Basem Mansour, General Director of the Syrian Civil AviationAuthority. The MoU provided ...

HM The Sultan Issues Two Royal Decrees Muscat, 14 Dec (ONA) --- His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik today issued two Royal decrees reading as follows: Royal decree No. (92/2022) conducts military appointments and promotions at the Ministry of Defence. Article (1) appoints Maj.Gen Hamid Ahmed Said Sakroon as Head of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies. Article (2) promotes Commodore Ali Abdullah Mohammed Al Shidi to the rank of Rear Admiral and appoints him as Commandant of the National Defence College. Article (3) says that this decree shall be published in the official ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 1.22 US DollarMuscat, 14 Dec (ONA) --- Oman oil price (February Delivery 2023) today reached 76.80 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 1.22 US Dollar from the price of yesterday (Tuesday), which stood at 75.58 US Dollars.The average price of Oman oil (December Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 90.79 US Dollars per barrel, thus 1 cent per barrel lower than November Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Thuraiya/AG ...

Finance Ministry Announces Reduction, Merging of 288 Government Service FeesMuscat, 13 Dec (ONA) --- The Ministry of Finance has unveiled the results of a study on government service fees in the second phase of application of the “Government Services Pricing Guide”. The study led to the deduction, cancellation and merging of 288 government service fees. It will begin to be applied during the first quarter of 2023.The abatements covered the fees of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Environment Authority, the municipal ...

Marafiq Meets Partners at Duqm, Boosts Support to Local Community Duqm, 13 Dec (ONA) --- The Centralized Utilities Company (Marafiq), a joint venture - owned by OQ and Gulf Energy Development Corporation of Thailand, organised the first annual gathering with its partners from government and private establishments. The event was held at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) under the auspices of Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).In a press statement, Al Dheeb stressed that Marafiq Company stands as ...

Hotel Revenues Surge 96.6pc By October 2022 Muscat, 13 Dec (ONA) --- The revenues of 3-5 star hotel surged by 96.6% as at the end of October 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021 to stand at RO 138,205,000, according to the monthly statistical bulletin of tourism indicators issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The number of 3-5 star hotels’ guests increased by 32.5% till the end of October 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, while occupancy rate grew by 19.1% till the end of October 2022. The number of guests from the ...

MSX Gains 21 Points Muscat, 13 Dec (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (21.6) points, comprising a rise by (0.44%) to close at (4898.86) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4877.27) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 5,465,376), comprising a surge by (32.7%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 4,117,475). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.070%) to reach about (RO 23.84) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...

Tender Results Issue No. 572 of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 10.9 Million IssuedMuscat, 13 Dec (ONA) --- A tender of Government Treasury Bills, issue number 572, worth RO 10.9 million was issued this week.Treasury Bills are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the Ministry of Finance, and they provide licensed commercial banks the opportunity to invest their surplus funds. The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) acts as the Issue Manager and provides the added advantage of ready liquidity through discounting and repurchase facilities (Repo). The results of the said ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 3.62 US Dollars Muscat, 13 Dec (ONA) --- Oman oil price (February Delivery 2023) today reached 75.58 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 3.62 US Dollars from the price of yesterday (Monday), which stood at 71.96 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (December Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 90.79 US Dollars per barrel, thus 1 cent per barrel lower than November Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

Transport Ministry Signs MoU with Celesta Capital Company Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA)—The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology today signed a memorandum of understanding with Celesta Capital company in the field of information and communications technology. The MoU was signed in cooperation with the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones. It deals with opportunities for funding technical startups and securing their capitals’ participation in business ventures, besides assisting leading companies (in the field of information technology) to ...

International Conference Discusses Means of Promoting Innovative Industries Muscat, Dec 12 (ONA) --- Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) today organized the Second international conference on economics and business administration themed "Promoting Innovative Industries for Sustainable Growth and Development". The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The two-day conference discusses important business issues from a global and local perspective. It also touches on challenges facing the ...

PDO Supports Establishing Local Manufacturing Facilities Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA) --- Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) signed today a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Borets company to establish local manufacturing facilities in Oman to produce Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) and industrial power cables, including electric submersible pump (ESP) cables, which is a first in the region. The two manufacturing facilities are expected to operate with an annual capacity of 3,000 km of power cables and 2,400 PMMs. PDO External Affairs and Value Creation Director Eng. Abdul-Amir ...

Investment and Startup Summit Kicks Off Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA)—HH Sayyid Belarab bin Haitham Al Said, Honorary President of “Rising Omani Start-ups Programme”, presided over Investment and Startup Summit, organized by the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (ASMED). The two-day event, held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, is organized in cooperation with a number of government departments. The summit began with a session entitled " Future of Entrepreneurship and Startups". It elaborated on a number of themes. It included a discussion on theme of the emerging ...

Post-paid Mobile Subscriptions Increase 25.5pc by October 2022 Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA) --- The total number of post-paid mobile phone subscriptions increased by 25.5% at the end of October 2022 to stand at 1,546,812 subscriptions compared to the corresponding period in 2021, according to the latest data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Pre-paid mobile phone subscriptions rose by 11.2% to stand at 5,278,389 subscriptions, of those 4,137,164 were through service providers, while 1,141,225 through reselling. The total mobile phone ...

Oman, Tanzania Review Areas of Cooperation in Commerce and Investment Sectors Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA) ---- Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion received in his office here today Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania. The meeting reviewed areas of cooperation between the two countries in commerce and investment sectors. It also touched on means of boosting the bilateral relations and augmenting volume of trade exchange. The two sides ...

MSX Gains 67 Points Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (67.6) points, comprising a rise by (1.41%) to close at (4877.27) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4809.65) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 4,117,475), comprising a surge by (81.7%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,266,129). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.322%) to reach about (RO 23.82) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...

Housing Ministry Inks Pacts to Facilitate Financing Purchase of Housing Units Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA)—The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning today signed cooperation agreements with a number of local banks to facilitate the funding applicants who are eligible for residential land plots and housing units within “Sorouh” integrated residential projects. The agreements were signed by Eng. Hamad Ali Al Nizwani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, and representatives of Bank Dhofar, Bank Nizwa, Sohar Islamic Bank and Muzn Islamic ...

Oman Oil Price Declines 3 Cents Muscat, 12 Dec (ONA) --- Oman oil price (February Delivery 2023) today reached 71.96 US Dollars, comprising a drop by 3 cents from the price of last (Friday), which stood at 71.99 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (December Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 90.79 US Dollars per barrel, thus 1 cent per barrel lower than November Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

Marafiq Posts USD 600m Investments at SEZAD Duqm, 12 Dec (ONA) --- Marafiq company, specialised in delivering various industrial services in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), has implemented a number of strategic projects. Eng. Abdullah Mohammed Al Hashimi, CEO of Marafiq said that Marafiq, which was established in 2013, aims to provide centralised utilities to SEZAD. The Company is a joint venture owned by OQ Group and Gulf Energy Development Corporation. Al Hashimi added that Marafiq has spent almost USD 600 million to set up a comprehensive electricity and ...

CMA Appoints Temporary Board for Raysut Cement Company Muscat, 11 Dec (ONA) --- The Capital Market Authority (CMA) issued a decision to immediately dissolve the current board of directors of Raysut Cement Company and appoint a temporary board of directors, based on experience, competence and independence. The new board is headed by Hamdan Ahmed Al Shaqsi and it comprises in its membership Majid Sultan Al Tauqi, Dr. Ali Amer Al Ghaithi, Ahmed Saud Al Zakwani and Mubeen Jalil Yasin Khan. The decision also states that the term of the board shall last three years. The CMA said in a ...

Saudi Delegation Reviews Oman’s Experience in roadsMuscat, Dec 11 (ONA) --- A delegation from the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today visited the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The visit was in pursuance of initiatives agreed by the two sides in the road sector.The programme included a bilateral meeting during which two working papers were discussed, the first of which dealt with road design, classification and construction, as well as road maintenance and related contracts in Oman.The ...

MSX Gains 25 Points Muscat, 11 Dec (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (25.5) points, comprising a rise by (0.53%) to close at (4809.65) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪4784.15) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 2,266,129), comprising a drop by (70.2%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 7,598,011). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.208%) to reach about (RO 23.74) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani ...

Inbound Passengers at Omani Airports Up By 168% Muscat, 11 Dec (ONA) --- Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that international flights that made connection via Oman’s airports grew to 55,814 by the end of September 2022, as compared to 26,636 international flights during the corresponding period in 2021. According to the NCSI, the number of arriving and departing passengers via Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport and Sohar Airport (including transit passengers) saw a 168% increase to 6,969,976 by the end of September ...

Salalah Port Receives Italian Cruise Ship Muscat, 11 Dec (ONA) --- Salalah Port today received the Italian cruise ship “Costa Toscana” with 3,616 passengers onboard, of them 2,356 are tourists from various nationalities. The tourist programme of “Costa Toscana” included tours to major archeological, tourism and historic landmarks in the Governorate of Dhofar, besides visiting beaches and traditional markets in Salalah. Moreover, the number of cruise ships arriving in Oman is increasing annually due to the country’s prominent location overlooking the Indian ...

MSX Gains 60 Points Muscat, 8 Dec (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (60.4) points, comprising a rise by (1.28%) to close at (4784.15) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪4723.7‪‪5) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 7,598,011), comprising a drop by (33.9%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 11,492,363). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.196%) to reach about (RO 23.70) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani ...

State's General Revenues Increase 42.3pc by the End of October 2022 Muscat, 8 Dec (ONA) --- The state’s general revenues increased by 42.3 percent until the end of October 2022, to reach about RO 11.862 billion compared to RO 8.333 billion during the same period in 2021, thanks to the increase in oil prices and production rate. The monthly bulletin issued by the Ministry of Finance indicated that the net hydrocarbon revenues (oil and gas) collected until the end of October 2022 grew by 50.5 percent, to reach about RO 9.244 billion, compared to RO 6.141 billion until the end ...

Ministry of Energy, Minerals Signs New Agreements for Social Responsibility Initiatives Muscat, 8 Dec (ONA) --- Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, today signed three agreements with oil and gas companies and several government entities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The move comes as part of the joint social responsibility project initiative between the Ministry and the six oil and gas contributing companies; PDO, Occidental Oman, BP Oman, OQ, Daleel Petroleum and CC Energy Development. The first agreement was signed with Dr. Ahmed ...

Oman Flour Inaugurates Gulf International Poultry Farm, Investment Cost Exceeding RO 26 Million Muscat, 8 Dec (ONA) --- Oman Flour Mills (OFM) celebrated the inauguration of the Gulf International Poultry Farm for producing eggs at Subaikhi in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Governorate of A’Dhahirah. The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Ministerof Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The minister said that the self-sufficiency rate to which the project will contribute is between 30 to 35 percent. Al Habsi adding that in ...

Oman Oil Price Declines 1.86 US Dollar Muscat, 8 Dec (ONA) --- Oman oil price (February Delivery 2023) today reached 73.14 US Dollars, comprising a drop by 1.86 US Dollar from the price of yesterday (Wednesday), which stood at 75 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (December Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 90.79 US Dollars per barrel, thus 1 cent per barrel lower than November 2022. --- Ends/Khalid ...