Day: February 14, 2024

Havana: Moosa Hamdan Al Tai, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States of America today presented his credentials to President Miguel Díaz-Canel of the Republic of Cuba, as Oman’s ambassador to Cuba.

During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Miguel. His Majesty also wished the people of Cuba continuous prosperity.

On his turn, the President of Cuba asked the ambassador to convey his greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan, wishing the Omani people further progress under His Majesty’s wise leadership

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: The Ministry of Health, represented by the Directorate General of Khoula Hospital, celebrated today the inauguration of the Fertility Center.

The Fertility Centre in Khoula Hospital is equipped with the latest lab technologies and is the first government centre in the Sultanate of Oman that provides several services to help couples overcome the problems of pregnancy and childbirth and boasts a medical team with wide experience in the field of fertility.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyida Muna Fahd Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

Dr. Said Harib Al Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs said that the inauguration of the Fertility Centre is a qualitative addition to health services. The center seeks to receive and treat 1000 cases during 2024. The number eventually will go up to 1,500 cases in 2025.

On her turn, Dr. Rahma Salim Al Ghabshi, Senior Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynecology stated that a total of
10-13% of the population of any society suffer from delayed pregnancy which is a medical problem that affects not only the individual but also the family, community and the country. Providing such a service contributes to treating delayed pregnancy to maintain family and community cohesion.

The center receives the cases referred from obstetrics and gynecology departments from all government hospitals and health complexes from all governorates.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: HH Sayyid Shihab Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, received in his office at Al Murtafaa Garrison today Admiral Antony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff in the United Kingdom (UK) and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed areas of joint cooperation and reviewed the march of relations between Oman and the UK. They also touched on several matters of common concern.

The meeting was attended by Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces. It was also attended by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Sultanate of Oman and the Defence Attaché of the British Embassy at Muscat.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: Admiral Antony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff in the United Kingdom (UK) today visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC).

The guest was accompanied during the visit by Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF).

Upon the guest’s arrival at the centre, he was received by Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).

The guest and his accompanying delegation were briefed on the tactical roles and tasks carried out by the centre in the safety of the Omani maritime environment. They also toured the centre’s facilities and viewed its latest equipment and technologies used in carrying out its national duties

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) today hosted the 36th session meeting of the Secretariat General for Centers of Documents and Studies in the GCC countries.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, Deputy Secretary General of the Centers of Documents and Studies.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Hamad Mohammed Al Dhoyani, Chairman of the NRAA delivered a speech in which he extended his thanks to Fahad Abdullah Al Samari, the Secretary General for his efforts in supporting march of this specialized scientific assembly.

The meeting discussed a number of topics on its agenda, and approved recommendations regarding the proposals submitted by the members to serve the march of the General Secretariat and enhance its institutional presence in Gulf society in particular and the Arab world in general.

After that, Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, Deputy Secretary General reviewed the financial and administrative report of the Gen
eral Secretariat.

The meeting approved the minutes of the 35th meeting, which was held in the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting further discussed the memorandums, proposals and recommendations submitted by the documents and studies centers in GCC countries.

On the sidelines of the meeting, an exhibition was held, displaying some publications of the participating centers.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: Deliberations of ‘Aluminum Recycling 2024: Shaping the Future’ Forum today discussed the most prominent sustainability practices and the effects of technological and industrial progress on recycling processes, as well as the latest trends, challenges, and business opportunities in the field of aluminum recycling and maximizing the use of its waste.

The forum, which was held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority, discussed issues related to the aluminum sector and opportunities for recycling it.

It was organized by Sohar Aluminium in cooperation with the Environment Authority. It included a number of working papers that dealt with the experiences in the field of aluminum industry and recycling, environmental management and preservation, waste management sector, health, environment and safety.

The event affirmed that the aluminum recycling process is no longer a matter of choice, but rather a necessity and an opportunity that requires taking advantage of it
due to its environmental and economic benefits.

Source: Oman News Agency

HEBRON: Five Palestinians today were injured by Israeli live bullets in an Israeli military raid into the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.

Intense confrontations broke out in the town of Beit Ummar, during which the occupation forces opened heavy gunfire towards local residents, injuring five with live bullets in their lower and upper limbs.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces further fired rubber-coated metal bullets and volleys of tear gas bombs, causing dozens to suffocate due to inhaling the toxic tear gas.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

Muscat: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the addition of three Omani cities in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. They were Muscat (in the Governorate of Muscat), Nizwa (in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah) and Sur (in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate).

The move took place within the context of a plan made by the Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The Ministry carried out the programme in partnership with the Ministry of Interior to promote Omani cities in the global arena. The programme seeks to spread awareness about education for sustainable development in the local community, besides raising the Sultanate of Oman’s ranking in international indicators (including the Sustainable Development Goals-the SDG indicators).

The announcement was made today during a virtual ceremony organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. It is considered an acknowledgment of
the efforts of the selected cities made to realize the lifelong learning principle.

Source: Oman News Agency

HEBRON: Israeli occupation forces today chased Palestinian shepherds out of their pasture in Ain al-Sakot area in the northern Jordan Valley.

Mu’taz Bisharat, a local activist, said that the occupation army chased the shepherds and their livestock while they were in the pasture, forcing them to leave.

The occupation forces further threatened the shepherds not to enter the pasture again in order to force them to abandon the area.

Earlier today, a group of colonists raided Palestinian-owned lands in Khirbet Al Farisiya, where they grazed their cattle on agricultural farmlands, destroying their crops.

Bisharat pointed out that there is a surge in colonists and occupation forces attacks against Palestinians and their proprieties in the Jordan Valley, including seizing large tracts of pastoral areas and chasing shepherds.

Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians are commonplace, but attacks on farmers and herders are particularly higher in the Jordan Valley area.

Source: Palestine news and Information Ag
ency – WAFA

Muscat: Oman oil price (April delivery 2024) today reached 82.39 US Dollars comprising a rise by 53 cents compared to the price of yesterday (Tuesday) which stood at 81.86 US Dollars.

The average price of Oman oil (February delivery 2024) has stabilized at 77.21 US Dollars per barrel, thus 5.96 US Dollars per barrel lower than January delivery 2024.

Source: Oman News Agency

Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion today marked the Omani Industry Day.

The event, held in the Wilayat of Sohar, the Governorate of North Al Batinah, was themed ‘Automation of Factories and Artificial Intelligence’.

The ceremony was attended by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.

Dr. Saleh Said Masn, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion gave a speech in which he underscored the importance of the industrial sector in order to achieve comprehensive development in Oman.

Dr. Saleh added that the statistics of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicate that the output of the manufacturing sector reached RO 2,454 million at the end of September 2023 at constant prices. Non-oil exports reached RO 6,767 million till November 2023.

The Undersecretary noted that the Sultanate of Oman achieved a leap of 16 ranks during 7 years only in the Competitive Industrial Performance
Index (CIP) which is issued by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). As such, Oman was ranked 56th out of 153 countries in the CIP Index. This reflects the country’s acceleration in competitive industrial capabilities over the past years.

The ceremony included the launch of ‘Made in Oman’ platform. This e-platform aims to boost the speed of obtaining a license and a certificate for national products.

Moreover, four agreements were signed during the event to enhance the industrial sector.

Further, an exhibition was held on the sidelines of the ceremony. In the exhibition, forty public and private establishments showcased services, and products, as well as business and investment opportunities in Oman.

Source: Oman News Agency

Amman: The Government Tenders Department (GTD), alongside the Government Procurement Department, has initiated a groundbreaking project to promote Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) in Jordan. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative aims to establish a comprehensive EPP policy, integrating environmental sustainability into Jordan’s procurement practices.

Director General of the GTD Mahmoud Khalifat emphasized the project’s role in enhancing public-private sector collaboration. He stated, “This initiative aims to consolidate the principles of true partnership between sectors to promote sustainability through EPP in Jordan.”

Khalifat highlighted the strategic importance of directing public spending towards local products and green growth, in line with the government’s procurement reform objectives. He noted, “EPP focuses on procuring materials that are environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle, significantly contributing to sustainable development.”

In 2023, the GTD executed tenders w
ith EPP standards totaling about JD39 million, representing 10% of their procurement activities. Khalifat expressed optimism about the project’s potential to address environmental challenges, stimulate sustainable investments, and facilitate green financing.

Hanadi Nabulsi, Director General of the Government Procurement Department, discussed the collaborative framework of the initiative, “Working alongside the GTD and with support from the World Bank, we are committed to developing and implementing EPP specifications that meet our sustainability goals.” She highlighted the importance of partnerships with various ministries and agencies in achieving successful EPP outcomes.

Director of Procurement at the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa Majed Bayaa presented the Bank’s approach to supporting Jordan’s EPP initiative. “Our support for Jordan’s EPP initiative is part of a broader ‘whole-of-government’ approach, aiming to promote green public procurement across high-impact sectors,” Bayaa explaine
d.

Yolanda Saito, Chief Operating Officer at Impacti and Ibtisam Bou Attay, head of the Middle East and North Africa team at Impacti, provided insights into the technical and strategic aspects of EPP.

Saito introduced green procurement, environmental policies, and necessary technical tools, while Bou Attay emphasized the importance of international best practices and knowledge exchange in guiding effective EPP reform.

The GTD’s strategic plan for 2023-2025 includes EPP as a key component, reflecting the department’s commitment to leading in sustainable procurement. Khalifat concluded by thanking the World Bank, Impacti, and all project contributors for their support in driving Jordan’s sustainable development through EPP.

Source: Jordan News Agency