Global Arab Network | Renaissance Day– Building the future for Oman

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Renaissance Day– Building the future for Oman

Monday, 20 July 2009 18:07

Oman celebrates the 39th anniversary of the Renaissance Day amid comprehensive transformations led by Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed since 1970 when the Sultan took the power.

The period of Sultan’s rule, which began on 23rd of July 1970, is referred to the Renaissance.

During the last 39 years, a sustainable development was achieved in all angles of life and considerable strides were made in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

Sultan Qaboos has succeeded in changing his country from a poor society to a wealthy nation. This development from poverty to wealth has secured stability, peace and bright future for Oman.

At the inaugural speech at the annual convening of the Council of Oman on November 11, last year, the Sultan stressed that “enforcement of justice is a must and the auditing institutions are shouldering their responsibilities to safeguard the achievements and resources of our country”.

The renaissance era considered building of humans as the most precious resources of the nation, thanks to the guidelines and doctrines designed by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the architect of modern Oman, who gave significant importance to the development of the Omani citizen in the renaissance process, saying that “the development is not a goal in itself but a means to building a human being who is the tool and goal of all developments”.

Among the Omani government’s priorities is Omanisation, which aims to reduce the Sultanates dependency on foreign manpower and to create more job possibilities for Omanis, as well as dissipation of the economy. The aim is to limit the country’s dependence on oil and natural gas, which currently accounts for 80 per cent of the country’s GNP. The political climate in Oman is stable and education, training and the health sector are continually improving.

The Basic Law of State

The Basic Law of State, promulgated under Royal Decree No.101/96 on 6th of November 1996, lays down a legal framework of reference that both governs the functions of various authorities and also separates their powers.

The Basic Law of State also affirms the principles that have guided state authorities in different fields since His Majesty the Sultan’s accession to power in 1970. It also stresses the determination to pursue efforts aimed at building a better future and at enhancing Oman’s position in the world and its role in laying down firm foundations for world peace, security and cooperation among nations.

The law also protects and guarantees the safeguard of freedom, dignity and rights of the individual, in accordance with the highest internationally recognized principles.

The Basic Law of State comprises 81 articles in seven chapters. The legal document sets out the system of government and the guiding principles behind the State’s policies and also details public rights and duties.

It contains provisions covering the Head of State, the Council of Ministers and the judiciary, and includes references to the specialized councils, financial affairs and the Council of Oman. All laws are promulgated on the basis of the Basic Law of State.

The Council of Oman

The Council of Oman, set up under Article58 of the Basic Law of State, is made up of the members of the State Council and the Consultation Council. It meets at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed to study and discuss issues raised by him and takes its decisions by majority vote.

At the annual meeting of the Council of Oman, which marks the beginning of annual sessions of the State Council and the Consultation Council, His Majesty the Sultan delivers a wide-ranging speech which identifies the course and priorities for national action and sets out guidelines for the State’s institutions.

The State Council

The State Council assists the government in implementing the Sultanate’s comprehensive development strategy and enjoys a range of powers stipulated in Royal Decree No. 86/97 issued on 16th of December 1997.

The State Council prepares studies that contribute to implementing development programmes and plans and Presents proposals on encouraging investment and improving the performance of established government institutions. It also reviews draft laws and amendments put forward by ministries and other government departments before promulgation. The council also studies issues referred to it by His Majesty the Sultan or the Council of Ministers and submit its recommendations on theses issues. It also submits an annual report on its activities to His Majesty the Sultan.

The Chairman and members of the State Council are appointed by Royal Decree and the number of its members must not exceed the number of members of the Consultation Council. The State Council is a financially and administratively independent legal entity based in the governorate of Muscat. Its members comprise of prominent Omani figures with particular expertise I special fields.

The Council’s new formation in 2009, comprised 72 members, including 14 women.

In line with the priority given by His Majesty the Sultan to the need for higher levels of coordination between the Council of Ministers and the State Council, a meeting was held on 27th of October 2008 between the cabinet and the Council office to discuss ways of further boosting cooperation between the two Councils in service of future goals of the Country’s comprehensive development process.

The Consultation Council

Since the beginning of the Sultanate’s modern renaissance, Oman’s consultation march enjoyed the continuous and full attention and support of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed. The consultation enterprise continued to evolve until it culminated in its current form. The Consultation Council now embodies one of Oman’s deep-rooted and most valued traditional practices.

Members of the Consultation Council represent the Sultanate’s 61 Wilayaat. They are elected by Omani men and women who are 21years of age and above in accordance with the rules and regulations which guarantee equal rights for both men and women to elect and stand as candidates after meeting the required conditions without interference by the government.

Royal Decree No. 74/2003 gave another boost to the consultation process by expanding the prerogatives of the Consultation Council which included the reviewing of draft laws drawn by ministries and government departments, the programmes of the five-year-development plans and the State’s general budget before promulgation or final endorsement.

Recently, the Council’s tenure was extended from three years to four and renewable if the member is successful in the subsequent Council’s elections.

On 27th of October 2007, elections for the 6th term of the Council (October 2008-Sepember 2011) were conducted when citizens chose their representatives from among 631 candidates who contested the elections to fill the 84 membership seats. The number of registered voters in the elections reached 243 thousands, 39.3% of them were women. The turnout was 63% a 50% increase from the number of voters who cast their ballots in elections for the 5th term. Voting procedures were simplified and citizens were allowed for the first time to use their personal identity cards to cast their votes after the old system of voting cards was cancelled.

As part of coordination and positive integration between the Consultation Council and the Council of Ministers, His Majesty the Sultan presided over a joint meeting of the two Councils at Hisn Al-Shomoukh on 26th of February 2008 during which His Majesty stressed the need for more joint work and coordination in order to properly implement development plans.

Foreign Policy

The Sultanate’s foreign policy in general and its relations with friendly and sisterly countries in particular are not designed to serve limited or short-term goals but they are based on a broad, long-term vision that regards peace, security and stability as vital objectives to be achieved for the good of the international community.

The Sultanate’s policies have earned it world-wide respect and appreciation, while the economic dimensions of its diplomacy have become increasingly important in the Gulf, Arab, regional and international arenas.

His Majesty the Sultan said in his speech at the annual opening of the Council of Oman “The principles of our domestic and foreign policies are clearly defined, we work for construction and sustainable comprehensive development at home and for friendship, peace, justice, harmony, co-existence, understanding and positive constructive dialogue abroad, this is how we began, how we are now and how we will continue to be, wishing the whole of mankind well-being and prosperity, security and stability and cooperation in establishing the scales of justice and equity.”

Oman has long enjoyed a close and special relationship with its fellow Arab Gulf Cooperation Council States, with whom it shares common hopes and aspirations for a better future for their citizens.

The Sultanate also enjoys close ties on all levels with other Arab States and has demonstrated positive support for various Arab causes and keenness to expand bilateral ties all Arab countries, reflecting its firm belief in the need for joint action to improve the quality of life for all Arab peoples.

On the international level, Oman’s balanced approach to political and other issues has gained it international acclaim. Its positive and active diplomacy aimed at enhancing ties of friendship, dialogue, understanding and common interests in accordance with international legitimacy, earned it global respect.

Thanks to the warm relations Oman enjoys with countries around the world and its centuries-old trade experience and contacts, foreign policy has played a vital role in bolstering development efforts, opening up new markets for Omani products and encouraging the setting up of joint investment schemes. The Sultanate to day enjoys diplomatic relations with over 150 countries and is a member of over 105 regional and international organizations.

Education

Since the dawn of Oman’s modern renaissance led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed, the education sector received considerable attention from His Majesty the Sultan who noted that education is a noble goal to which all efforts should be dedicated in order to provide our sons and daughters with wider opportunities for education and knowledge in the age of culture and information.

As part of efforts exerted by the Ministry of Education to develop this vital sector a new two-year basic education system was recently introduced with a view to developing the students’ basic, work and vocational planning skills.

Currently, there are 541436 students enrolled in 1050 schools across Oman’s different regions and 43672 teachers. While there are more than 339 private schools providing excellent educational, training and guidance programmes, particularly for special needs students.

The Ministry of Education’s strategy also aims at making education available for all citizens including adults who missed out on the opportunity to gain an education during their childhood. The “educated village project” which aims to increase literacy and general education among entire communities is well supported across the country.

The Ministry of Education took an important step towards entering the digital age when it launched and electronic learning portal on the Internet which will provide an electronic link between schools and regional educational directorates and also enable constant follow up of the students’ performance by their parents.

Higher Education

The academic year 2008-2009 witnessed a qualitative shift in higher education, there are78930 students enrolled in 57 universities and colleges (24 privet institutions) across Oman’s different regions.

The government financially supports all the country’s higher education institutions, private universities as well as those in the government sector. His Majesty the Sultan has also given grants to each of the private universities to encourage their vital role in the educational process.

The Ministry of Higher Education also supervise a number of academic chairs such as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed’s Chair for Islamic and Arab Studies at the Melbourne University in Australia, His Majesty’s Chair for Water Management and Economic Diversity at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and the Sultan of Oman’s professorship Chair for Oriental studies at Leden University in the Netherlands.

The Accreditation Council was set up under Royal Decree No. 74/2001 to maintain the quality of Oman’s higher education establishments at internationally accepted levels.

Health Care

Oman’s government attaches special attention and care to developing health services in order to improve the general level of health in Oman. The Seventh Five-Year Health Development Plan (2006-2010) has set priorities of public health policy in line with international directives, with the Ministry of health adopting a results-based strategic planning.

At present, there are 58 hospitals in the Sultanate, while the number of Primary Health Care Services institutions reached 242 health centers and clinics.

The Sultanate also has maintained a leading position in the field of child health care. This was achieved through gaining more control of dangerous childhood diseases. An expanded immunization programme helped control diseases such as TB (tuberculosis), acute poliomyelitis (polio) diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, hepatitis , rubella, mumps, thyroid problems and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hemovills flu). More recently, a five-disease immunization programme was introduced and a highly equipped national center for treatment of tumors was also set up.

By the end of 2008, the number Ministry of Health of personnel was 23870 of which 16231 are Omani, representing an Omanization rate of 68%. Of the total number of 3620 doctors working in the country 1079 are Omani, representing an Omanization rate of 30%. The number of dentists reached 190, while the number pharmacists totaled 196 and the number of nursing staff was 9250, representing an Omanization rate of 65%.

The Ministry of Health has continued to develop the policies and requirements of the health administration in order to upgrade the management process. The ministry, in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos University started a specialist course in health statistics at Bachelor of Science level. A programme was also implemented for the training of local managers specialized in the improving of the quality of health services.

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