This
speech, given Sultan Qaboos on September 18th 2013 at Oman’s 29th
National Day, addresses the current economic issues in Oman and Sultan Qaboos’
plan for the future. Oman is an absolute monarchy, with all power currently
residing in the hands of Sultan Qaboos, who took leadership in 1970. His reign
has been characterized by economic reforms, political modernization, and
increased spending on social welfare. While agriculture and fishing are the
traditional occupations in Oman, oil has hugely expanded the economy since the
discovery of oil reserves near Fahud in 1964. In his speech, Sultan Qaboos lays
out his vision for the economic future of Oman and its place in the international
sphere.
We thank Almighty God that He bade us to meet on this happy day
in the auspicious city of Ibri to celebrate the 29th Anniversary of the Omani
Renaissance, and renew our determination, with God’s continued aid, and the
unswerving support of you, the sons of Oman, to carry forward the blessed
progress towards more prosperity, stability, and evolution on the broadest
front. This will ensure our cherished country’s sustained ascent and
advancement, God willing.
In the past stage, many of our hopes have materialised,
embodying several achievements that enabled Omani society to enter the 20th
Century. Thus we are well prepared to face the challenges of the 21st. We are
fully confident that this dynamic, youthful society, believing in Almighty God,
both individually and collectively, can, through its determination, dedication,
knowledge and hard work, keep abreast with the fast progress that this world is
witnessing in all fields of life.
Dear Countrymen,
On the same occasion last year, we referred to the unhealthy
situation of the world economy and we called for the diversification of our
national economy in order to avoid the danger of dependence on one product –
oil. Today we reaffirm the fact that we must strive to attain our strategic aim
of realising our vision of reaching our clearly defined goal of improving the
standard of living of our citizens, ensuring that they benefit from the fruits
of our development, preserving and adding to the victories of the Renaissance.
The diversification of the economy, the development of the human
skills, the effective exploitation of the available natural resources, and the
creation of the suitable conditions to encourage the private sector to perform
a greater role in the growth of the national economy – all this will lessen our
dependence on oil. We must not forget that oil is a finite resource, with its
price at the mercy of external circumstances beyond local control. Therefore, a
collapse of oil prices could, if we are solely dependent on this revenue, have
the gravest effect on our national budget, balance of payments, economic
growth, and on savings and investments If we have been able, thanks to God, to
overcome the difficult period of the past two years, with the least impact on
our economy, we should not rely on this recent improvement in oil prices, but
we should continue to follow prudent financial and economic policies, the most
important of which are reduction of expenditure and guidance and awareness in
order to encourage saving, and resistance to the inclination to indulge in
unnecessary consumption, and also to encourage the individual citizen
effectively to contribute to the national economy. Financial institutions must
be urged to make their resources available to assist the development of the
productive sector, and not to facilitate consumerism. They must also adopt
policies that will lead to the increase of savings by citizens. Thereby these
institutions will not then necessarily depend on external financial resources
since, this dependence can entail a negative impact on our economy, which we
must avoid.
The
L.N.G. which Sultan Qaboos refers to in his discussion of the Five-Year
Development plan is a liquefied natural gas company established by the Omani
government in 1994.
Dear Countrymen,
Notwithstanding the difficulties faced by the current Five-Year
Development Plan due to various internal and external circumstances, the Plan’s
performance, thanks to God, has a number of positive elements in many fields. For
example, the successful control of inflation to a great extent, the
implementation of several projects aiming at economic diversification, the
principals of which are: the L.N.G. exploitation which will increase foreign
currency earnings and, with God’s permission, create wide opportunities for
industrialisation, and lead to greater links with the world economy; Salalah
Container Port, and the Port of Sohar which is under construction. These latter
two projects will help power the wheel of progress and the consolidation of the
pillars of the national economy.
Some of the more prominent of the positive achievements of the
Five-Year Plan have been the development of human resources in the field of
general education and higher and technical education, and vocational training;
also in Omanisation, the creation of more job opportunities, and the
improvement of health care. All these fields have witnessed a remarkable
improvement throughout Oman, thanks to God.
We are today, 0 citizens, on the threshold of the preparations
for the Sixth Five-Year Plan. There have been many lessons that we have learnt
from the current Plan, which we shall use as guidelines for better future
performance, and to avoid negative occurrences, therefore ensuring that we
shall achieve higher rates of growth and more job opportunities for our people.
This will maintain economic, financial and fiscal stability. Our experience of
the current Five-Year Plan will enable us to improve our savings and investment
policies and in laying down a comprehensive strategy for privatisation. This
strategy will have the goal of raising productive efficiency, cutting costs and
stimulating local and foreign investors notably to contribute to the overall
development process, God willing.
The strengthening of the Sultanate’s economic relations
with the AGCC, other Arab countries and regional groups, and the positive
interaction with the international economic system for the interests and
benefit of Oman are very important matters. They will enable us to participate
in the huge growth of international trade and investment, and make use of the
expanding open markets.
It is essential that Omani society – government and citizens –
should realise the extent of the need to be prepared to encounter the
challenges of globalisation. We shall do so through the improvement of our
national capabilities, basing the economy on the firm foundations of
international competitiveness and productivity, enhancing the performance of
our institutions, and recognising the value of knowledge, technology and
research, which are the keys to progress, and creating the climate which will
ensure the sustainable growth of the private sector, and its broad contribution
to development plans and economic policies, confirm its ability to practise
economic activities with efficiency and flexibility and, with God’s permission,
enable the private sector to deal with the challenges which will come with our
membership of the W.T.O.
If it is necessary to say a final word on the economic field, I
reaffirm the necessity to give tourism a priority in the future development
programme. This sector has great potential for growth and for making an
effective contribution to economic diversification, since our dear country
possesses such splendid tourist assets such as its historic heritage, natural
beauty, perfect environment, folklore and traditional industries. In addition,
there is the security, stability and the spirit of tolerance of the Omani
citizens, thanks to God. The tourism industry is well qualified to offer career
opportunities to Omanis. It is well capable of serving the aims of regional
development, since its benefits will cover all regions. On this basis we should
prepare a new strategy to develop this sector so it can stand on its own feet
in a severely competitive, flexible and diversified international market.
When
Sultan Qaboos talks about the AGCC he is referring to the Cooperation Council for
the Arab States of the Gulf, a political and economic union of Arab states
bordering the Persian Gulf founded in 1981. It is currently comprised of the Arab
states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab
Emirates. One of their main objectives is to improve scientific research and technological
development in order to further economic progress. They have also focused on
creating consistency in regulations and currency.
Dear Countrymen,
The AGCC is progressively advancing towards its goals, God
willing. Co-ordination between its members exists in all fields. We look
forward to the brotherly meeting between its leaders at their 20th Summit in
Riyadh at the hospitable invitation of our dear brother, the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. We call upon the Almighty
to grant success to the leaders in serving their people and to confer upon them
continued progress, prosperity and growth.
On this occasion we wish to reaffirm – as we always do – that we
believe
in peace and work invariably for it. We call for the
strengthening of bonds of friendship with all, on the basis of comprehensive
justice and mutual respect. On this premise we are determined to stand together
with all just causes such as that of the Palestinian people who are striving to
obtain their rights and establish an independent State, and also the Golan,
South Lebanon and other Arab, Islamic international causes. As we wish for the
Middle East Peace Process to reach a just settlement for all, we urge the
international community to work wholeheartedly to find solutions to all
problems that are distressing the world and endangering peace. These solutions
must relieve the oppressed from tyranny, establish security and stability,
harmony and co-operation among all nations; God will help
Esteemed Countrymen,
Our pride in our armed forces and all security services comes
from our appreciation of their great role in protecting the achievements of the
blesses Renaissance and in maintaining our country’s attainments. As we
re-affirm our support for them and our active commitment to their further
progress, we say to them from this rostrum on this auspicious day that we
salute and thank them for their loyalty and devotion in the performance of
their duties.
We ask Almighty God to give all of us success in our efforts to
carry out His wishes, to surround us with His care and to help us appreciate
His blessings. He who is aware of everything and capable of everything, He is
the best to protect, the best to help.
As we congratulate you on this glorious occasion we call upon
the Almighty to allow us to meet next year in our living, dynamic city of
Muscat to celebrate al together the 30th Anniversary of our Oman’s splendid
Renaissance.
-- Helen Kissel
Qaboos
Bin Said Al Sald, Sultan of Oman, “Speech
of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the occation of the – 29th
National Day,”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, September 18, 2013. www.mofa.gov.om
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