Saturday 18 / May / 2024
Muscat: Omanis and expats will both play a significant role in securing Oman’s Vision 2040.
Elaborating on the role expats will play, Eng Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Youth and Human Resources Committee at the Shura Council, said, “Expats have been included in the planning of this vision on more than one occasion. Oman, if we look at the numbers, currently has more than 40 per cent expats, and so expats are fundamentally important in the makeup of our country, even if we look at how Oman will be in 2040.”
“Oman will need many different hands working towards growth. It is absolutely true that Omanis will have the privilege that comes from Omanisation rates, but as the country grows, even achieving these rates fully in the future and hiring most Omanis will still mean that we need more skilled labour in the form of expats. Expats will have their role to play, as Oman is looking to grow. This growth requires a heavy human element in the future, especially if we look at upcoming projects such as the special economic zone of Duqm. These things cannot happen without both, Omanis and expats,” said Al Busaidi
“For those younger expats who grew up in Oman, I think these residents are closer to the Omani population than others, and we saw a recent legislation that made it even easier for younger Omanis to be here, as companions to their [investor] parents. Their chances here are greater than other expats to participate and find job opportunities,” Al Busaidi added.
“This outlook can influence Oman positively, as if you want to have expats here, then having an expat who grew up in Oman and knows the culture and values is always a plus. I think these young expats will have a strong presence in Oman and they will have chances to shine,” said Al Busaidi.
His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture and Chairman of Oman 2040 Vision Main Committee, reiterated the importance of all individuals in the success of the Vision 2040.
All segments
At the launch of the Oman 2040 vision national conference, Al Said said, “While conducting the vision project, we have been keen to ensure the presence and participation of all segments of Omani society, to become a major partner in formulating their priorities and aspirations.”
The two-day event is taking place at the Oman Exhibition and Convention Centre. Talal Al Rahbi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Head of the Technical Committee of the Oman 2040 future vision, held a presentation which showcased the key features of Oman’s 2040 vision.
“The preliminary vision document is a national product that involves all segments of the society,” Al Rahbi said, “The vision was studied by three different entities, as well as Sultan Qaboos University.”
The conference will include a number of discussions, which will look at the initial detailed features of the Oman 2040 vision, the role of society, the youth, and governance in achieving the vision.
Day two of the conference will include a panel discussion on topics such as the role of the private sector in achieving the vision, economic cooperation and integration and its importance in achieving the vision, international practices to achieve the vision and managing change and the positive direction of human behaviour.
According to His Highness, “The strategic directions were identified in line with preliminary goals that comprised education, scientific research, the empowerment of national capacities, realising a sustainable welfare based on a state-of-the-art healthcare system, as well as economic diversification, job market development, and giving the private sector the initiative for a national economy. They also included environmental sustainability and geographic decentralisation.”
The conference was a culmination of 7,000 events, 15,000 surveys, and 22,000 participants. On the economic front, the vision aims to support six per cent growth between 2020 and 2040.
This economic vision is based on developing human capital, agriculture, infrastructure, as well as supporting entrepreneurship and the legal system, privatising some systems, attracting foreign investments, regulating industries, and carrying out financial reforms.
Creative core
In terms of human development, Vision 2040 aims at providing a society with a creative core through an all-inclusive, sustainable teaching system with community participation and a focus on human development in education, as well as an increase in scientific research fueled by diversified funding for teaching and research.
Vision 2040 also aims to have a leading healthcare system with international standards focused on health as a community responsibility, a decentralised, transparent healthcare system with varied funding and nationally qualified manpower.
