News

Economy
Agreement Inked to Establish Fiber Optic Infrastructure for Surouh Initiative

Muscat, 20 Apr (ONA) --- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Oman Broadband company signed here today an agreement for setting up the inactive fiber optic infrastructure for the integrated neighborhoods initiative “Surouh”.As per the agreement, Oman Broadband company will establish, operate and lease the inactive fiber optic and communications infrastructures. The step aims to provide communications and fiber optic services in all facilities that require a connection to the internet.The agreement was signed by Eng. Hamad Ali Al Nazwani, Undersecretary for Housing and ...

Oman Oil Price Declines 3.03 US Dollars

Muscat, 20 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 105.54 US Dollars, comprising a decline by 3.03 US Dollars from the price of yesterday (Tuesday), which was 108.57 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. --- ...

Soaring Battery Costs Fail to Cool EV Sales

Beijing, 19 Apr (ONA) --- Buyers around the world are lining up to purchase electric vehicles (EV) in 2022 even with sticker prices surging, flipping the script on a decade and a half of conventional auto industry wisdom that EV sales would break out only after battery costs dropped below a threshold that was always just over the horizon.This year, EV demand has stayed strong even as the average cost of lithium-ion battery cells soared to an estimated $160 per kilowatt-hour in the first quarter from $105 last year. Costs rose due to supply chain disruptions.For a smaller vehicle like ...

MSX Gains 8 Points

Muscat, 19 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (8.3) points, comprising a rise by (0.20%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4261.99) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4253.65) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 3,129,301), comprising an increase by (37.3%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 2,279,881). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.085%) to reach about (RO 22.37) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors ...

Tender Results Issue No. 138 of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 77.5 Million Issued

Muscat, 19 Apr (ONA) --- A tender of Government Treasury Bills, issue number 138, worth RO 77.5 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 theadded advantage of ready liquidity through discounting and repurchase facilities (Repo). The results of the said issue are as follows:The total value of the allotted Treasury bills ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 49 Cents

Muscat, 19 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 108.57 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 49 cents from the price of yesterday (Monday), which was 108.08 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. ---Ends/Thuraiya/AG ...

MSX Decline 4 Points

Muscat, 18 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (4.8) points, comprising a drop by (0.11%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4253.65) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4258.46) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 2,279,881), comprising a decline by (46.2%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 4,237,485).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.151%) to reach about (RO 22.35) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 2.72 US Dollars

Muscat, 18 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 108.08 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 2.72 US Dollars from the price of last (Thursday), which was 105.36 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

Oman Post, Asyad Express Partner with SMEs to Provide Postal Services

Muscat, 17 Apr (ONA) --- Oman Post and Asyad Express, an affiliate of Asyad Group, in cooperation with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), today announced that beginning of registration for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to provide postal and courier services in various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.The registration began today and will be ongoing for one week.Nasser Ahmed Al Sharji, CEO of Oman Post and Asyad Express said that this initiative came within the framework of utilizing sale outlets and increasing postal service points all over ...

OIA Discusses Development Strategy of its National Economic Diversification Portfolio

Muscat, 17 Apr (ONA) --- In continuation of its governance efforts to enhance the general performance of its companies and achieve better alignment and integration, Oman Investment Authority (OIA) organized the Rawabet Fifth Forum. The event was attended by many high-profile professionals, including several ministers and undersecretaries, chairpersons and CEOs of OIA companies, and a number of specialists. In his opening remarks, Abdualsalam Al Murshidi OIA Chairmansaid, “There are indicators of growthin OIA’s National Development portfolio. Currently, two ...

MSX Gains 19 Points

Muscat, 17 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (19.2) points, comprising a rise by (0.45%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4258.46) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4239.24) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 4,237,485), comprising a drop by (7.3%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 4,572,629).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.273%) to reach about (RO 22.38) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO ...

Commerce Ministry Mandates 8 Commercial Businesses to Provide e-Payment Service

Muscat, 17 Apr (ONA) --- The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion issued decision No. (386/2022) on providing electronic payment services for consumers.Article (1) stipulates that establishments and commercial companies operating in the activities of selling foodstuff, gold and silver, restaurants and cafes, selling vegetables and fruits, electronics, building materials and tobacco products, as well as all activities in industrial zones, complexes, malls and gift markets are mandated to provide the electronic payment service for all consumers.The move seeks to ...

MSX Declines 35 Points

Muscat, 14 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today lost (35.04) points, comprising a drop by (0.82%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4239.24) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4274.28) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 4,572,629), comprising a rise by (26.4%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 3,617,325). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.258%) to reach about (RO 22.32) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors ...

European Central Bank Faces Pressure from Record Inflation

Frankfurt, 14 Apr (ONA) --- The head of the European Central Bank could drop more hints today about when the bank will start raising interest rates, with pressure increasing to follow the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and other countries in taking a harder line to combat soaring consumer prices. People in the 19 countries that use the euro currency have seen costs increase for everything from food to fuel as inflation rose to an annual rate of 7.5% last month, the highest since statistics began in 1997. Driven by energy prices that have soared ever higher since Russia ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 3.01 US Dollars

Muscat, 14 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 105.36 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 3.01 US Dollars from the price of yesterday (Wednesday), which was 102.35 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

Asian Shares Mostly Rise on Interest Rate, Inflation Hopes

Tokyo, 13 Apr (ONA) --- Asian shares were mostly higher today after new data showed inflation in the US, while still at a 40-year high, was not as bad as some analysts had expected. Benchmarks rose in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia. US futures were also higher, while oil prices were little changed. Shares fell in Shanghai after the Chinese government reported that exports rose nearly 16% in March 2022 from a year earlier while imports were flat. The easing of a COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai was another encouraging factor. Shanghai released 6,000 more people from ...

UK Inflation Rises at Fastest Pace in 30 Years

London, 13 Apr (ONA) --- British consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in 30 years last month, fueled by soaring prices for household energy and motor fuels, the government statistics agency reported today. UK inflation accelerated to 7% in the 12 months through March, the highest annual rate since March 1992, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The UK faces what economists say will be the biggest drop in living standards since the mid-1950s as rocketing energy costs, rising food prices and tax increases overshadow rising wages. Disposable household incomes, ...

Khazaen Dry Port Launches Partial Shipment Service to Boost Industries, Business

Muscat, 13 Apr (ONA) --- Khazaen Dry Port launched the partial shipment solutions service through various commercial ports and land ports in the Sultanate of Oman.Juma Ibrahim Al Maskari, CEO of Khazaen Dry Port said that the service of partial shipment solutions will provide support for various industries, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing high quality logistic solutions with minimum cost. This service will contribute to the competitiveness of Oman and it will enhance its position in the global trade map.Khazaen Dry Port, which began its operations in 2021, ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 4.58 US Dollars

Muscat, 13 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 102.35 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 4.58 US Dollars from the price of yesterday (Tuesday), which was 97.77 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery ...

MSX Gains 6 Points

Muscat, 12 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (6.6) points, comprising a rise by (0.16%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4247.82) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4241.20) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 4,466,518), comprising a drop by (21.7%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 5,706,413). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.009%) to reach about (RO 22.36) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors ...

Oman Banking Sector Total Credit Stands at RO 25.8bn by End of February 2022

Muscat, 12 Apr (ONA) --- Data released by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) indicate that the total credit extended by Other Depository Corporation (ODCs), which consist of conventional and Islamic banks in Oman, recorded a growth by 3.5% to reach RO 27.9 billion at the end of February 2022. Credit to the private sector saw a moderate increase by 1.6% (Y-o-Y) to reach RO 23.5 billion. The non-financial corporate sector received the highest share of the total private sector credit of 46.6%, followed by the household sector which accounted for 45.1% at the end of February 2022. The ...

Tender Results Issue No. 558 of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 293 Million Issued

Muscat, 12 Apr (ONA) --- A tender of Government Treasury Bills, issue number 558, worth RO 293 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 issue are as follows: The total value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted ...

Oman Oil Price Rises 35 Cents

Muscat, 12 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 97.77 US Dollars, comprising a rise by 35 cents from the price yesterday (Monday), which was 97.42 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

MSX Closes at 4241 Points

Muscat, 11 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (0.32) point, comprising a rise by (0.01%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4241.20) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4240.88) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 5,706,413), comprising an increase by (17.1%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 4,873,789). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went down by (0.007%) to reach about (RO 22.35) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by ...

UK Economic Growth Slows amid Declines in Manufacturing

London, 11 Apr (ONA) --- Britain’s economic growth slowed in February 2022 amid declines in the production of cars, computers and chemicals. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased just 0.1% from a month earlier, down from the 0.8% growth reported in January 2022, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) said today. The output of productive industries, including manufacturing, mining and power generation, dropped 0.6% in the month. Construction fell 0.1%. Those declines largely offset an increase in service industries, driven by an 8.6% jump in accommodation and food ...

Oman Oil Price Declines 40 Cents

Muscat, 11 Apr (ONA) --- Oman oil price (June Delivery 2022) today reached 97.42 US Dollars, comprising a decline by 40 cents from the price of last (Friday), which was 97.82 US Dollars. The average price of Oman oil (April Delivery 2022) has stabilized at 91.96 US Dollars, thus 8.34 US Dollars per barrel higher than March Delivery 2022. --- Ends/Anas ...

MSX Gains 31 Points

Muscat, 10 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (31.3) points, comprising a rise by (0.74%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4240.88) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4209.54) points. The trading value today stood at (RO 4,873,789), comprising a drop by (29.3%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 6,895,828). The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.335%) to reach about (RO 22.36) billion. The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors ...

Khazaen Economic City Inks Agreements to Set up Cement, Steel Factories

Muscat, 10 Apr (ONA) --- Khazaen Economic City signed here today an agreement with Al Janabi International investment company to establish a factory to produce cement products to the tune of RO 2 million for the first phase. The project will be set up on a total area of 5,000 square meters.Another agreement was signed between Khazaen Economic City and Moayyad Omair investment company to establish a factory for steel industries worth RO 1.5 million for the first phase. The project will be set up on a total area of 7,500 square meters.This project, which targets the local and regional ...

Oman Production of Crude Oil, Condensates Surpass 60m Barrels by February 2022

Muscat, 10 Apr (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman’s production of crude oil and condensates recorded an increase by 8.2% by the end of February 2022 to reach 60,929,200 barrels compared to 56,300,900 barrels by the end of February 2021, according to the latest data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).Separately, Crude oil production saw a rise by 11.5% while condensates production declined by 2.4% by the end of February 2021.The total average price for Oman oil recorded a surge by 63.5% by the end of February 2022 to reach USD 76.7 per barrel compared to ...

MSX Gains 66 Points

Muscat, 7 Apr (ONA) --- Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) general index (30) today gained (66.5) points, comprising a rise by (1.61%) to close at (‪‪‪‪4209.54) points, compared to the last session, which stood at (‪‪‪‪‪‪4143.02) points.The trading value today stood at (RO 6,895,828), comprising a surge by (105.1%), compared to the last session, which stood at (RO 3,362,807).The report released by MSX pointed out that the market value went up by (0.562%) to reach about (RO 22.28) billion.The report added that the value of shares bought by non-Omani investors reached (RO ...