There are a few matters about which we in Oman never nursed a speck of doubt. These are the matters which for the past four decades, have defined us and given us a unique position in the global order. Foremost of them is the sincerity with which the government here has been working for the development and modernisation of Oman.

The past four decades have truly been a saga of continuous progress for Oman for which the government spared no pain, left nothing to chance, planned meticulously and worked tirelessly for betterment of common man, setting examples of what ought to be the role and focus of a government.

And in this, the Ministry of National Economy has always played a pivotal role — the powerhouse that drove the nation along the fast track of modernism and added the steam to move ahead with conviction. A few months ago, in my weekly column, I had described the Ministry of National Economy as the “key ministry”. And indeed so it has always been.

Critical role
Not just in Oman, this particular ministry, irrespective of the name it enjoys elsewhere, is the key ministry everywhere in the world and more so in the Arab world. This is the ministry that plays a critical role in the development of any country, revitalising economy, setting prerogatives of the government, streamlining markets and setting the national agenda.

There must have been some reasons, good enough, for abolishing this ministry in Oman. Yet, the Sultanate’s pace of growth and progress has not been affected even a scintilla. In a recent interview with Al Shabiba, Dr Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Hinai, adviser at the Ministry of Finance, said that even after the ministry was abolished, officers have been functioning as before and carrying out 99 per cent of the tasks assigned to it prior to its abolishing. Dr Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Hinai, who is now assigned with the additional responsibility of the abolished ministry, assured that the execution of the projects of the Eighth Five-year Development Plan are on track and on schedule as well.

In Oman the Ministry of National Economy has its assignments well defined. It is responsible for proposing and planning development strategies, shape the future of national economy and explore fresh investment avenues. It prioritises and schedules execution of projects; undertakes studies of different economic models followed and practised across the planet in a bid to pre-empt their impacts on the Sultanate.

Priority
Its assignments also entail collection of statistical data from all over the world, conduct surveys, and formulate a holistic development programme integrating economic, social and geographical contingencies in a way which would serve the people the best. But the priority, however, is to develop the country’s economic relations with the world for maximum benefit of the common people, management of international economic agreements and exploring feasibility of entering into new treaties.

The strategic national development planning it does is primarily based on information and data it collects from different surveys. None of these surveys are conducted at random but are done by qualified, experienced and expert researchers and are done in accordance with latest scientific methods.


These surveys are of colossal importance. The findings of these surveys and studies form the foundations on which both long and short term development plans are made. Prosperity and progress of the nation largely hinge on these surveys and studies.

Pithily, it is a multi-tasking ministry with numerous roles to play in the national life of Oman. And, therefore, its participations in conferences, seminars and in different technical sessions are of paramount relevance. From these and from its continuous interactions with private sector it formulates new ideas, formulates policies for privatisation and delves deeper into new investment opportunities.

The gamut of its activities and the oceanic range of its responsibilities make the ministry indispensable. Even as it has been officially abolished the abolition has actually been the title of the ministry; not its role, importance and functioning. Complete obliteration of such a critical ministry may not be possible simply because comprehensive development of Oman remains heavily reliant on it. Holistic development of a nation cannot be possible sans economy.

Since the dawn of Blessed Renaissance in 1970s economy and progress in Oman have outgrown people’s expectations. Meteoric developments, growth and assimilation with the world has transformed the Sultanate. Spectacular achievements have been made in almost every core areas, including economic, social and educational.

Oman today is no longer what it used to be in the bygone days. We are fortunate to be living in a completely transformed country where every sphere of activity — social, economic, educational and industrial — is at par with global standard. Every aspiration of the citizens has been addressed and efforts made towards their realisation. Prosperity is palpably visible in every nook and corner of the country. The sincere and loyal sons and daughters of Oman have worked tirelessly to secure for their motherland a position of pride under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. As our economic outlook remains positive we can feel more than assured that permanence of development shall remain uninterrupted transforming life and living in the Sultanate.

And this has been possible because of the dedicated efforts of all the officials who have been working a few extra hours wearing a smile on their faces to keep the functioning of Ministry of National Economy. I salute these officials who are doing their due diligence in addition to their normal duties to keep the crucial pillar of our country standing like Atlas shouldering the weight of the Earth.

Oman can justifiably feel proud of her sons and daughters for whom we can sleep peacefully knowing that the future of our posterity is as secured as our own.