Sultan Qaboos urges increased private sector Omanisation

The call came in an exclusive viewpoint article, featured in the second Emerging Oman series, produced by Oxford Business Group, the UK-based publishing, research and consultancy services company and the name behind the authoritative Emerging Markets economic, political and business annuals.

"We firmly believe that the development of the Omani people is the cornerstone of the process of advancement. In any society, the human being is the ultimate exemplar, means and agent of development," said His Majesty.

"As long as society succeeds in raising and diversifying the experience of its human resources, we will be successful in building a modern state with progress in all aspects of life. In order to realise our hopes and aspirations, however, and for our plans and programmes to succeed, we recognise the need for co-operation between all of our citizens, led by the private sector and the various organs and departments of the government, to carry out these plans and future programmes in a spirit of responsibility and awareness."

Targeted at foreign investors, the 184 page report is one of the most comprehensive research and investment tools available on the Oman economy.

"To date, we have been very pleased with the private sector's progress in providing job opportunities for citizens and welcome efforts to intensify its initiative in this regard," added His Majesty.

"Such increased co-operation would yield more progress, more advancement and more prosperity for the people, and for the country as a whole. Indeed it is only through this type of collaboration that the process of Omanisation will bear fruit, and it is a worthy goal on which we will focus our attention in the coming years."

Emerging Oman 2006 is one of five GCC and 13 MENA countries to be targeted by the prestigious reporting series. It was produced under the joint auspices of His Excellency Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED).

"To fulfil its vision of Omanisation, the government is also encouraging education and specialisation in creating job opportunities for citizens,"

said Andrew Jeffreys, Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Business Group's Emerging Market series.

"We have had extensive subscriber interest in Oman based on the last publication and hope that our research will be a valuable tool in detailing the considerable investment opportunities available in the Sultanate."

The authoritative publication provides examples of the combination of proud heritage and modern aspiration that defines contemporary Oman and includes interviews with Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Hamood Sangour Hashim Al- Zadjali, Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman.