Oman

Oman’s resort and hotel portfolio will continue to expand with more than 2,000 additional rooms scheduled for opening in 2012-2013.

Oman records 17 per cent increase in Saudi passenger arrivals in 2011.

Oman's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) posted a 22.7 per cent growth at the current prices in 2011.

With the draft laws for Islamic banking almost complete, Oman will also alter its existing regulations for banking in the Sultanate to incorporate Islamic finance.

Despite adverse international developments, the Omani banking sector continued to exhibit optimism and resilience during 2011

At the end of June 2011, private deposits at commercial banks in the Oman Sultanate rose by 6.2%

Oman and Jordan lead the way in the Middle East for the development of responsible tourism and are model examples for others in the region to follow.

Oman saw the value of its non-oil exports rise to RO2.448 billion in 2010, a jump of 32.4 percent over the previous year.

The important drivers of growth in 2011 in Oman are expected to be expanding exports and increased government spending

The Ministry of Manpower in Oman is not restricting any new work permits or imposing restrictions on visa-renewals for expatriates, an official of the ministry told Times of Oman.

Experts recently noted the need to provide the necessary expertise in Islamic banking to groom Omani institutions operating in this field.

A new report revealed that the aggregate personal loan portfolio, including mortgage finance, in Oman grew by 6.8 per cent to touch RO4294.7 million at the end of 2010.

Oman is capitalizing on its Free Trade Zones by issuing laws that facilitates tax exemption, and simplifies procedures and import of all permissible goods to attract further investment.

Word on the Arab street, when not debating the latest on the Arab revolutions, and the state of catastrophe in Yemen or Libya or Syria, has turned to the new bid to expand the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Scrutiny lies with the two potential new candidates for entry into this Gulf state league, namely Jordan and Morocco. The twitter-sphere is buzzing (or tweeting) with humorous remarks, as well as more grave concerns around the implications of such a shift, for both sides of the equation: the new members and the former block.

Pro-democracy leaders in Oman called Saturday for more protests after clashes with security forces left at least one person.

Omani troops stormed on Tuesday the Earth roundabout in Sohar evacuating a small group of pro-reform protesters.

Arab Bank Group has provided credit facilities totaling $ 410 Million to three contractors.

The Omani ruler on Sunday granted lawmaking powers to politicians outside the ruling family.

Omani protesters demanding a fight against corruption continued their sit-ins Monday.

An Omani foreign ministry official on Thursday stated his country had reconciled with the United Arab Emirates.

Omani forces on Tuesday dispersed protesters who were blocking the port in the Sohar industrial city and the coastal road to the capital Muscat.

Omani police fired tear gas on Sunday at stone-throwing demonstrators in the industrial city of Sohar.

From the Arab Gulf kingdoms, to the more troubled Mid Eastern hot spots of Egypt and Iraq, leaders and patrons have their serene sea decks to keep them distracted from the noise of the rabble on stormy land! Some of the world’s richest billionaires keep floating palaces and pleasure decks, and some of these happen to be members of the royal or stately echelons of Arabia.

The bourses in several Gulf countries crashed Sunday on mounting concerns over developments in Egypt.

The Board of Directors of Oman's Bank Sohar approved the Annual Results of the bank for the year 2010.

Oman Cement Company has launched the trial operation of the third clinker production kiln.