News

Workshop Discusses Preliminary Outputs of National Aviation Strategy 2040Muscat, 15 Jan (ONA) --- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today organized a workshop for top officials to discuss the National Aviation Strategy 2040.The workshop elaborated on the objectives of the strategy, its guiding principles, its initial outcomes and feedback on different aspects. The workshop is a link in a chain of meetings through which the CAA seeks to ensure that the strategy’s drafting would be interactive—comprising all components from relevant sectors, institutions, stakeholders and community ...

Oman Oil Price Drops 1.11 US DollarsMuscat, 15 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 78.07 US Dollars, comprising a drop by 1.11 US Dollars compared to the price of last (Friday) which stood at 79.18 US Dollars.The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery 2023. ---Ends/Thuraiya/Anas ...

Kenya's Coffee Market Sees Rebound in Volumes, Prices Nairobi, 14 Jan (ONA) --- Coffee trade at Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) bounces back with increased volumes and prices after market uncertainty.Data reveals a surge from 3,773 to 20,199 bags offered for sale between August 15 and December 13, 2023.Coffee bean sales also rose from 40% to 84% of bags offered.AA grade saw a price drop to $240.10 from $249.95.NCE attributes the rebound to restored confidence among market participants and improved global coffee prices, with the average buyers per auction rising ...

MSX Launches New ‘Liquidity Provider’ ServicesMuscat, 14 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) today celebrated by the opening of a new “Liquidity Provider” service, which constitutes part of the Market Making Initiative. The service was introduced in cooperation with the National Financial Sustainability Programme.Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO of the Muscat Stock Exchange, said that the Liquidity Provider Service seeks to provide a liquidity portfolio from approved stocks. Al Salmi pointed out that, in this context, two agreements began to be implemented today under the ...

MSX Gains 22 PointsMuscat, 14 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (22.3) points, comprising a rise by (0.48%) to close at (4629.41) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4607.10) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 1,399,301), comprising a drop by (45.3%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,557,247).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.069%) to reach about (RO 23.96) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO 310,000), ...

Water Connection Services Reduction Eases Burden on CitizensMuscat, 10 Jan (ONA) --- The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) affirmed that the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to cut down sums paid for the drinking water service connection to residential units helps ease the burden on citizens and reflects his Royal attention to provide basic public services and achieve sustainable development.APSR pointed out that the reduction in water connection services will begin to be implemented with effect from 1 February 2024. It added that water connection fees ...

MSX Closes at 4607 Points Muscat, 10 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (0.1) point, comprising a drop by (0.002%) to close at (4607.10) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4607.20) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 2,557,247), comprising a rise by (69.9%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 1,505,059). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.041%) to reach about (RO 23.94) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors ...

Oman the First GCC State to Issue Integrated Sustainable Financing FrameworkMuscat, 10 Jan (ONA) --- Moody's Investors Services today assigned ‘Very Good’ rating to the Sultanate of Oman’s “integrated framework for sovereign sustainable financing”, which was evaluated within the parameters of the global Sustainability Quality Score (SQS2). Oman emerged as the first GCC state to issue this type of framework.The Ministry of Finance plays a key role in backing the government’s efforts to achieve the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which cover the targets of zero carbon neutrality ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 1.12 US Dollars Muscat, 10 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 77.98 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 1.12 US Dollars compared to the price of yesterday (Tuesday) which stood at 76.86 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery 2023. ---Ends/Anas ...

German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Visits GUtech Muscat, 9 Jan (ONA) --- Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany today visited the German University of Technology (GUtech). Prof. Michael Brown, Rector of GUtech gave a speech in which he introduced the university and its academic role. He also highlighted the academic specializations and services offered by GUtech to students. On the sidelines of the visit, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between GUtech and ...

MSX Gains 4 Points Muscat, 9 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (4.5) points, comprising a rise by (0.10%) to close at (4607.20) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4602.72) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 1,505,059), comprising a drop by (42.1%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,598,743). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.422%) to reach about (RO 23.93) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...

Minister of Energy, Minerals Meets German Official Muscat, 9 Jan (ONA) --- Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals met here today with Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and means of boosting cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, hydrogen and combating climate change. The two sides discussed areas of cooperation in the clean energy field. This discussion took place within the context of ...

Oman Oil Price Drops 97 Cents Muscat, 9 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 76.86 US Dollars, comprising a drop by 97 cents compared to the price of yesterday (Monday) which stood at 77.83 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery 2023. ---Ends/Anas ...

Rising Yields, Downbeat Energy Stocks Cause European Shares to Go LowerLondon, 8 Jan (ONA) --- In European markets today, the rising government bond yields and downbeat energy stocks contributed to a 0.3% decline in the pan-European STOXX 600, extending the previous week's 0.5% drop.Energy shares, particularly oil and gas stocks, fell 1.7%, with Shell losing 2.0% after announcing potential impairment charges of $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion for Q4. The strengthening dollar and rising government bond yields, fueled by diminishing expectations of an early U.S. rate cut, influenced ...

Postpaid Mobile Phone Subscriptions in Oman Up By 11.7 PercentMuscat, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that post-paid mobile phone subscriptions in the Sultanate of Oman grew by 11.7 percent by the end of November 2023 (compared to the corresponding period in 2022) and stood at 1,786,671.The number of paid mobile phone subscriptions also increased by 2 percent to 5,254,832. Those include 3,974,544 subscriptions from operators, and 1,280,288 subscriptions from resale, which constituted a 4.3 percent increase in the total ...

MSX Gains 7 PointsMuscat, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (7.8) points, comprising a rise by (0.17%) to close at (4602.72) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4594.94) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 2,598,743), comprising a rise by (16.64%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,227,994).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.025%) to reach about (RO 23.83) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO 503,000), ...

Oman Organizes Middle East Space Conference 2024Muscat, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Tasks of the Middle East Space Conference 2024 kicked off today at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said.The gathering brings together 400 experts and executives in the space sector from government departments and private sector firms from the Sultanate of Oman and abroad.Seventy speakers will elaborate on a wide spectrum of issues during the three-day event hosted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information ...

Oman Housing Bank Launches Iskan Programme to Accelerate Funding ProceduresMuscat, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Acting in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Oman Housing Bank (OHB) launched a new programme codenamed “Iskan”, which seeks to accelerate financing for applicants on waiting list at the bank and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.The launch ceremony was held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel held under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance. It was attended by OHB Chairman and board members, CEOs of local banks, experts and specialists in ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 18 Cents Muscat, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 77.83 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 18 cents compared to the price of last (Friday) which stood at 77.65 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery ...

MSX Gains 18 PointsMuscat, 7 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (18) points, comprising a rise by (0.39%) to close at (4594.94) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4576.98) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 2,227,994), comprising a drop by (46.1%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 4,133,835).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.104%) to reach about (RO 23.84) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO 56,000), ...

CBO Terminates Use of Some Banknotes Muscat, 7 Jan (ONA) --- The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) issued a circular today on terminating the use of certain denominations of currency which will be withdrawn from circulation within a maximum period of 360 days from its date. After 31st December 2024, these denominations will become out of circulation and have no legal tender value. The denominations that the bank announced the end of their use include the banknotes of the fifth issue (1995), the banknotes of the upgraded issue (2000), the banknote of the denomination of one riyal ...

Concession Agreement Inked for Oil, Gas Exploration in Dhofar in Areas 38, 74Muscat, 7 Jan (ONA) --- The Ministry of Energy and Minerals today signed a concession agreement for oil and gas exploration in concession areas No. 38 and 74 with CC Energy Development Oman company.The company will conduct geological and geophysical studies and seismic surveys necessary for oil and gas prospecting in the designated zone.​​Located in the southwestern part of the Dhofar Governorate, concession Area No. 38 extends approximately 17,425 square kilometres, while Concession Area No. 74, in the ...

MSX Drops 2 PointsMuscat, 4 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (2.6) points, comprising a drop by (0.06%) to close at (4576.98) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4579.54) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 4,133,835), comprising a rise by (69.8%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,434,495).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.051%) to reach about (RO 23.81) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO 128,000), ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 3.39 US Dollars Muscat, 4 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 78.60 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 3.39 US Dollars compared to the price of yesterday (Wednesday) which stood at 75.21 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery 2023. ---Ends/Anas ...

Contracts Worth RO 3m Inked to Establish Agricultural, Livestock Projects in Al BuraimiAl Buraimi, 3 Jan (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Agriculture and Water Resources in Al Buraimi Governorate today signed usufruct contracts to establish agricultural and livestock projects in cooperation with the Directorate General of Housing and Urban Planning.Inked to the tune of more than RO 3 million, the contracts provide for the implementation of 16 projects.The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Hamad Ahmed Al Busaidi, Governor of Al ...

MSX Drops 9 Points Muscat, 3 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (9.8) points, comprising a drop by (0.21%) to close at (4579.54) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4589.34) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 2,434,495), comprising a drop by (16.6%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,917,561). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.204%) to reach about (RO 23.80) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...

Agreement Signed to Operate Mirbat Castle, Adjoining FacilitiesMirbat, 3 Jan (ONA) --- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism today signed an agreement with Mirbat-Sadah Development and Investment Company to manage and operate Mirbat Castle.The agreement also covers the rebuilding and operation of the archaeology antiques market and customs office in the Wilayat of Mirbat in the Dhofar Governorate. The agreement was inked by Eng. Ibrahim Said Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage, and Braik Musallam Al Amri, Chairman of the Board of Directors ...

Oman Oil Price Drops 2.73 US Dollars Muscat, 3 Jan (ONA) --- Oman oil price (March delivery 2024) today reached 75.21 US Dollars, comprising a drop by 2.73 US Dollars compared to the price of yesterday (Tuesday) which stood at 77.94 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (January delivery 2023) has stabilized at 83.17 US Dollars per barrel, thus 6.62 US Dollars per barrel lower than December delivery 2023. ---Ends/Anas ...

Tender Results of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 9 Million Issued Muscat, 2 Jan (ONA) --- The total issuance of Government Treasury Bills amounted to RO 9 million. The value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 9 million, for a maturity period of 28 days. The average accepted price reached RO 99.590 for every RO 100, and the minimum accepted price arrived at RO 99.590 per RO 100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 5.34464% and 5.36665%, respectively. Treasury Bills are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the Ministry of ...

MSX Gains 9 Points Muscat, 2 Jan (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (9.02) points, comprising a rise by (0.20%) to close at (4589.34) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (4580.32) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 2,917,561), comprising a drop by (13.8%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 3,385,690). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.039%) to reach about (RO 23.85) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached ...