Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Council of Finance and Energy Resources has, for the second time, postponed the implementation of the decision regarding fees, prices and insurance for commercial entities under the municipal sector, to January 1 2019.
Companies now have until January 1 of next year to amend their commercial status.
A statement from the council read, “The committee will continue to involve the concerned bodies, including the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), and follow-up the launch of the electronic services and municipal services directory before applying the new fees.”
Previously, the Council of Finance and Energy Resources had postponed the implementation of the fees until July 1. At the time, the council said that it had postponed the deadline after consulting with concerned parties, adding that a committee would be formed to evaluate the effect of the new fees and decisions, “especially on small and medium-sized enterprises”.
Sohar Municipality had begun implementing the new fees decision from January 1, Muscat Municipality from February 1, while the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources and Dhofar Municipality were meant to implement the new fees and price from March 1.
The changes included an increase in the amount of services fees, including hairdressing and beauty activities being increased from OMR24 to OMR75, while barber shops would have to pay OMR50, up from OMR24. The fees for commercial complexes will be changed to OMR3,000 in Muscat Governorate and OMR1,500 in the rest of
the Sultanate.
The board also decided to reduce the burden on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by cutting OCCI fees for third- and fourth-class members by 10 per cent for one year, and for the third- and fourth-degree holders of ‘Riyada’ cards by 20 per cent for one year.
