April 22, 2005

SULTAN QABOOS STRESSES THE NATION-BUILDING PROCESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THE SULTAN MEETS WALIS, MEMBERS OF THE STATE COUNCIL AND MAJLIS AL SHURA, JUDGES AND DIGNITARIES OF THE WILAYATS OF DHAHIRAH REGION AT THE ROYAL CAMP AT SEIH AL MASARRAT. SULTAN QABOOS: THE CONTINUATION OF DEVELOPMENT IS A NOBLE GOAL WHICH WE ALWAYS FOCUS ON AND WE DIRECT OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF OMAN, STATE COUNCIL AND MAJLIS AL SHURA TO ALWAYS SHOULDER THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS RESPECT. THE COUNCIL OF OMAN AND MAJLIS AL SHURA SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY TO EXPLAIN TO US AND TO OUR GOVERNMENT MATTERS WHICH WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT AND TO ADVISE US ON WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. The nation-building process in the Sultanate of Oman is an ongoing one and it will never stop, particularly when it relates to human development, said Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said. Sultan Qaboos said this progress will continue in the interest of all, particularly the youth and the coming generations. The Sultan said, during a meeting he held with the walis, members of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, judges and dignitaries of the wilayats of the Dhahirah region at the Royal Camp at Seih Al Masarrat in the wilayat of Ibri, "the continuation of development is a noble goal which we always focus on and we direct our government and the Council of Oman, State Council and Majlis Al Shura to always shoulder their responsibilities in this respect. "The Council of Oman as a whole and the Majlis Al Shura shoulder the responsibility to explain to us and to our government matters which we have to think about and to advise us on what we have to do," Sultan Qaboos said. Sultan Qaboos spoke about the third national manpower employment symposium which began at the Royal Camp in Seih Al Salehat in the wilayat of Shinas and concluded at Seih Al Masarrat in the wilayat of Ibri, saying the symposium came out with good and practical recommendations and expressed hopes that those recommendations will prove applicable. Sultan Qaboos also said he was confident that those in charge will spare no effort in implementing those recommendations. Sultan Qaboos added the upcoming national manpower employment symposium will assess what has been achieved and look into what has not be achieved and the reasons behind that. Sultan Qaboos stressed the importance of his speech during a meeting he held with sheikhs and dignitaries of the Musandam governorate and the Batinah region in Seih Al Salehat in the wilayat of Shinas on February 8. During that meeting, Sultan Qaboos stressed the need that the youth should commit themselves to work and spoke about the family responsibility to instil the spirit of work in its sons. Sultan Qaboos also spoke during that meeting about the private sector's role in the human development field and the importance of according the national product a priority. Outlining his views on various issues of concern to the homeland and citizens, Sultan Qaboos said: "We do not look at these matters from the perspective of the present but we always look to the future. What is possible today must be done and what we have to consider for implementation in the future we must think about from today and lay down the foundations and plans which, God willing, will find the way for implementation later on because the march of building will continue and will never stop, especially process of human development". Sultan Qaboos affirmed it is necessary to always cope with changes and developments that occur at all social, economic and other levels. Sultan Qaboos said the objective is to keep the wheel of development rolling at all times until as much as possible of the set objectives are achieved for the benefit of the country and its people. After concluding the speech Sultan Qaboos listened to members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura, sheikhs and dignitaries on a number of development issues of concern to their wilayats and regions. Sultan Qaboos gave instructions to the ministers who attended the meeting on these issues. Sultan Qaboos the Sultan earlier received at the Royal Camp at Seih Al Masarrat in the wilayat of Ibri members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura, walis, sheikhs and heads of courts in the wilayats of the Dahirah region. In their conversation with the Sultan, members of the State Council, and the Majlis Al Shura, walis, sheikhs and dignitaries expressed their honour in meeting Sultan Qaboos and listening to his wise directives. They also expressed gratitude for Sultan Qaboos's continuous gestures and renewed their loyalty to Sultan Qaboos the Sultan and commitment to implement with sincerity and dedication Sultan Qaboos's directives. They also expressed gratitude for the many service and development projects the Sultan had ordered to be implemented in the Dahirah region during his previous tours and direct meetings with sheikhs and dignitaries. They affirmed the citizens were delighted at provision of these services nearer to their homes. At the end of the meeting, the Sultan listened to poems expressing delight at meeting with the Sultan and in praise of the achievements for the Sultanate during Sultan Qaboos's reign. Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said had arrived at Seih Al Masarrat in the wilayat of Ibri in the Dhahirah region coming from Seih Al Salehat in the wilayat of Shinas in the Batinah region. Citizens of the Dhahirah region lined the two sides of the road on which Sultan Qaboos's motorcade passed welcoming Sultan Qaboos, expressing their gratitude and renewing allegiance to the builder of modern Oman. Citizens of the wilayat of Shinas and its adjacent wilayats in the Batinah region rushed to Seih Al Salehat which hosted the royal camp to express their gratitude and allegiance to Sultan Qaboos the Sultan for the achievements of the blessed renaissance which covered all parts of the country. Sultan Qaboos waved his hands to greet his loyal subjects. The Sultan has issued his royal directives during the annual meet-the-people tour to implement several services and developmental projects in the Batinah region and Musandam governorate at a total cost of RO26 million. The authorities concerned will implement these projects which were endorsed in the 2005 budget this year. Sultan Qaboos has also issued his royal orders to the Diwan of Royal Court to construct 100 social houses in the wilayat of Shinas and 50 social houses in the wilayat of Liwa in the Batinah region at Sultan Qaboos's personal expense. In Ibri and in celebration of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said's presence, a carnival was organised at the celebration square under the auspices of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of diwan of royal court, which was also attended by other ministers, members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura, walis, local government directors, dignitaries in Al Dahirah and citizens. The carnival, in which 340 people participated, consisted of speeches and folk dances and songs. Also, horse races were organised at the racetrack in Ibri under the auspices of Sayyid Mutassim Ibn Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of state and governor of Muscat Ministers, the wali of Ibri, members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura and local dignitaries attended the function. Around 50 horses participated in the six races. Patron of the event distributed prizes and certificates to the winners. In celebration of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said's presence, a carnival was organised at the celebration square under the auspices of Sayyid Ali Ibn Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of diwan of royal court, which was also attended by other ministers, members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura, walis, local government directors, dignitaries in Al Dahirah and citizens. The carnival, in which 340 people participated, consisted of speeches and folk dances and songs. Also, horse races were organised at the racetrack in Ibri under the auspices of Sayyid Mutassim Ibn Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of state and governor of Muscat (photos on page 2). Ministers, the wali of Ibri, members of the State Council and the Majlis Al Shura and local dignitaries attended the function. Around 50 horses participated in the six races. Patron of the event distributed prizes and certificates to the winners. Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said arrived at Seeh Al Shamikhat in the wilayat of Bahla in the Dakhiliyah region from Seeh Al Masarrat in the wilayat of Ibri in the Dahirah region. Citizens of Bahla lined up the two sides of the road on which Sultan Qaboos's motorcade passed, welcoming Sultan Qaboos, expressing their delight and joy and renewing allegiance to their beloved leader. Sultan Qaboos waved his hands to greet his loyal subjects. The citizens, many of them carrying the portraits of Sultan Qaboos and the national flags, recited poems praising Sultan Qaboos and the achievements of the blessed renaissance which covered all parts of the country. The traditional folklore troupes took part in the celebrations organised as part of the welcoming ceremony for Sultan Qaboos. Earlier, when Sultan Qaboos left the royal camp at Seeh Al Masarrat, people of the wilayat of Ibri lined the two sides of the road expressing their happiness over Sultan Qaboos's stay in their wilayat and bidding farewell to the architect of modern Oman. As part of the celebrations to mark Sultan Qaboos the Sultan's presence in their wilayat, the citizens of Bahla organised a folklore festival at the royal camp here under the auspices of Major-General Sultan Ibn Mohammed Al Nu'mani, secretary-general of the diwan of royal court affairs, and in the presence of Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, president of the State Council, and the ministers accompanying Sultan Qaboos during the annual meet-the-people tour. The folklore troupes presented several shows highlighting the cultural heritage and tradition of the nation, and praising the Sultanate's achievements under the reign of the Sultan, the architect of modern Oman. The citizens also recited poems expressing their loyalty and gratitude to their beloved leader. The festival was attended by sheikhs and dignitaries and people of the wilayats of the Dhakhliya region. Sayyid Saud Ibn Ibrahim Al Busaidi, interior minister, opened a crafts exhibition organised at Jibreen Castle in Bahla wilayat. Ministers, Wali of Bahla Hilal bin Said Al Hajri, officials, Al Dakhiliyah dignitaries and citizens were present at the function. The exhibition features works on the heritage of Bahla wilayat, in addition to traditional crafts and handicrafts. Folk groups presented shows on the sidelines of the exhibition. The minister gave a statement expressing admiration on the exhibition of the rich heritage of Oman. "The citizens of the wilayat have expressed their utmost happiness on the arrival of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said at Seeh Al Shamikhat," said the wali of Bahla. Sayyid Saud Ibn Ibrahim Al Busaidi, interior minister, opened a crafts exhibition organised at Jibreen Castle in Bahla wilayat. Ministers, Wali of Bahla Hilal bin Said Al Hajri, officials, Al Dakhiliyah dignitaries and citizens were present at the function. The exhibition features works on the heritage of Bahla wilayat, in addition to traditional crafts and handicrafts. Folk groups presented shows on the sidelines of the exhibition. The minister gave a statement expressing admiration on the exhibition of the rich heritage of Oman. "The citizens of the wilayat have expressed their utmost happiness on the arrival of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said at Seeh Al Shamikhat," said the wali of Bahla. Also celebrating the presence of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said, a poetry evening was held at Bahla Club under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al Hinai, justice minister, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Ali Al Qatabi, minister of state and governor of Dhofar; a number of officials, sheikhs, dignitaries of the Dakhiliyah region and those concerned with poetry. A number of poets from various regions and wilayats of the Sultanate participated in the evening. They recited traditional and classic poems, in which they renewed their loyalty and allegiance to Sultan Qaboos Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said and prayed to the Almighty to grant Sultan Qaboos good health and a long life. They also praised the achievements realised during Sultan Qaboos's prosperous era. In line with Sultan Qaboos policy of Omanisation Juma Ibn Ali Ibn Juma, minister of manpower, signed 12 agreements, 11 of which are on training 535 Omanis and one agreement on recruiting lecturers for colleges of technology. The agreements were signed with officials of institutes and companies executing the training and the trade network international company. They cost a total of RO2.092 million including RO1.11 million for training and RO 972,000 for providing the lecturers. Salim Ibn Naseer Al Hadhrami, director-general of recruitment, said the pacts would help train 535 citizens on a number of technical and vocational skills including sale of spare parts, driving heavy equipment and hair dressing as required in the labour market. He added that signing the agreements was also aimed at ensuring job-linked training and translating the government policy on Omanisation in the private sector as recommended by the third forum on national manpower employment. He said the trainees would work in the private sector after finishing their training. He said private companies were cooperating on employing citizens. Dr Abdul Hakeem Ibn Hilal Al Ismaieli, director-general of technical training, said the 12th agreement signed provided for recruiting qualified lecturers from countries around the world including from Europe, the USA, Australia and Latin America to work in the colleges of technology. He said the specialisations to be taught by these lecturers would include engineering, information technology and business studies. The signing ceremony was attended by Sayyid Hamad Ibn Hilal Al Busaidi, undersecretary for labour affairs at the Ministry of Manpower and ministry officials. On the other hand Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Salim Al Rowas, minister of regional municipalities, environment and water resources, signed 32 agreements valued around RO7.3 million to implement several projects in translation of the directives of Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said issued during his annual royal meet-the-people tour of the wilayats. As per the agreements signed, a total of 327.8km link internal roads will be constructed in a number of the wilayats of the Batinah region. The projects were awarded to some national construction companies. The minister said the projects to be implemented also include lighting of roads, public utilities and others. The signing ceremony was attended by Mohammed Ibn Sulaiman Al Ghuraibi, undersecretary for regional municipalities affairs at the ministry.