Condolences Cable                    

Muscat, December 1 (ONA)--- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to President Abdullah Gul of the Republic of Turkey on the victims of the plane which crashed yesterday in the province of Isparta in the middle of Turkey. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy for the president and families of the victims.

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Greetings cables 

Muscat, December 1 (ONA)--- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates on the occasion of his country’s 36^th National Day.

  His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere wishes of good health, happiness and a long life to Sheikh Khalifa and the Emirates brotherly people further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.

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PACI Chairperson heads to Turkey

Muscat, December 1 (ONA)--- Shaikha Aysha bint Khalfan al Siyabiyah, Chairperson of the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) left here today heading to Turkey on a several-days official visit.

In a pre-departure statement, Shaikha Ayshah said that the visit comes within the framework of the existing cooperating between the sultanate and the Republic of Turkey in the felid of craft industries. The visit aims at reviewing the Turkish experience in the field of craft industries, jewelry, textile and weaving, she added.

 The visit will provide the opportunity to review other experiences in fields like training, rehabilitation and craft investment. Such experiences will help in developing the craft industries in the Sultanate, she furthered.

 During her visit, Shaikha Ayshah will meet with a number of Turkish officials and visit a number of training centers and craft industries workshops.

 Shaikha Aysha was seen off upon departure by the Turkish ambassador to the Sultanate and a number of PACI officials.

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GCC Engineering Forum is opened             

Muscat, December 1 (ONA)--- Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said, Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan called upon GCC engineers to cope with modern engineering challenges and developments.  

In a statement to reporters after opening the two-day  11th  GCC engineering forum held under the theme ‘ facing the construction challenges ‘ organized by the Omani Engineers Association in association with the GCC Forum Secretariat and the GCC engineering associations and organizations” Sayyid Shihab said ‘ the aim of this forum is to encourage the GCC engineers to cope with modern technologies to face the modern construction challenges. The GCC member states face huge construction challenges, he added.  

At the end of his statement, Sayyid Shihab wished all members of the GCC engineers associations all the best of luck and success in serving the GCC common interests.

 The GCC Engineering Forum started with a speech by Engineer Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, Chairman of Muscat Municipality and chairman of the Omani Engineers Society where he said that a number of working papers by specialists and international experts will be covered at the forum. The main axes of the forum will be the GCC major construction projects, challenges ahead, opportunities available, construction challenges at the Gulf region, and modern technologies for the future cities.  

On h is part Yousuf bin Ali Abdul Raheem , Secretary General of the GCC Engineering Forum said that the participation of the GCC engineers in development projects are still below the required levels and still the current  focus is more on the local side rather than  joint work. Moreover, the response of the GCC engineering societies and institutions to the common aims is still below expectations although there is a considerable number of common objectives, he added. 

 The Secretary General of the GCC Engineering Forum also announced the establishment of the GCC Engineering Union which will compromise the Engineering Societies of the UAE, the Sultanate, Qatar, and Kuwait in addition to the Saudi Engineers Authority.  

At the end of the ceremony, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said, Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan honored the GCC pioneers and talented engineers.

 The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, undersecretaries, officials of governmental departments and members of GCC engineering societies.

 It is worth mentioning that the forum aims at raising engineering awareness, encouraging communication between the engineers in the Sultanate and their peers at the GCC countries with their different specializations, shedding light on the major projects, the urbanization boom witnessed by the GCC countries, its underlying challenges and, opportunities. It also aims at discussing ways of improving the GCC engineering cadres.

 It also aims at strengthening the partnership and cooperation among the engineering societies and firms.

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  Taqah water treatment plant opened 

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Taqah, December 1 (ONA)--– Under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamoud al Ma’amari , the Wali of Taqa , a celebration was held here today at the wilayat of Taqah  to mark the opening of Taqah Water Treatment Plant project. The opening of the project comes as part of the 37^th National Day celebrations.

 Engineer Abdul Qadir bin Ahmed al Haddad , Deputy Head of Dhofar Municipality delivered a speech in which he pointed out to the efforts exerted by the office of the Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar represented by Dhofar Municipality to maintain cooperation with the respective departments and provide the required support for the design and implementation stages of the project at high class standards. The project will have a positive impact on environment and preventive health services, he added.  

    The cost of the construction and equipment of the water treatment plant amounted to RO 300,000. The capacity of the plant is 300 cubic meters of waste water per day. The plant is expected to provide 450 cubic meters of treated water daily which will be used in watering gardens and implantation, he continued.

 The project aims at treating waste water in a scientific way , improving public health service , environment , limiting the spread of epidemic and diseases resulting from polluted water and making use of treated water in irrigating parks , implantation of roads and other beautification projects.

 After unveiling the plaque, the chief guest accompanied by guests toured at the different departments of the plant.

  International Conference on Wadis Hydrology Commences

     Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---Under the auspices of Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs, the 4th International Conference on Wadis (Valleys) Hydorology organized by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in collaboration with the UNESCO will be opened tomorrow (Sunday) at Muscat Golden Tulip hotel and lasts for three days. 

     About 150 experts, advisers, academics, representatives of active water research centers, and international and regional organizations concerned with water resources will take part in the conference.

    As many as forty working papers will be presented by fifteen countries which will focus on various issues relating to the Wadi Systems. 

    Organization of the Conference by the Sultanate, stems from the growing attention accorded to water, being an important resources  and governed by regulations aimed at ensuring its comprehensive development by all countries in various spheres.

    The conference aims to update and improve institutional, legislative and administrative conditions within water strategic requirements and investment planning to ensure water sustainability at Wadi systems and floods.

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  Principles of Origin Seminar Starts    

     Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry said that though the Inter-Arab Trade is still limited and not exceeding 10%, but Arab countries have good resources to increase the volume of the inter-trade in terms of foodstuff and other commodities.  

    In a statement at the opening ceremony of a regional seminar theme "Principles of Origin within the context of the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone" held under his patronage today.

     He explained that though Arab countries have signed the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone Agreement (GAFTZA), but the agreement is still lacking some regulations and procedures, such as, the principles of origin. He noted that the Sultanate began to exempt commodities of Arab countries which signed the (GAFTZA) customs duties. He hoped that the seminar will issue recommendations on the principles of origin and added value of the domestic product.  

      On his turn, Ahmed Mohammed Luqman, director general of the Arab Labour Organization (ALO) highlighted the importance of the Arab Economic Cooperation to stand the New Global Order which is based on liberalization of Trade within the context of the Regional Conglomerations. In his speech, he added that the ALO has recognized the important role of the businessmen in the world of globalization following the declining role of the State before the Private Sector. He said the success of the (GAFTZA) experiment is not only the governments' responsibilities, but is of other concerned authorities including businessmen organizations.  

      Jameel bin Ali bin Sultan, Deputy Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) indicated that (OCCI) is working with authorities concerned with Arab economic work, internally and externally, in order to familiarize the private sector with developments on the Arab Economic Projects front. He hoped that the seminar will shed light on the Arab agreement on the topic of the principles of origin. 

      The event is organized by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in collaboration with the Arab Labour Organization (ALO).  

      Two working sessions were held, the first one dealt with potentials of the Greater Trade Zone and principles of origin, while the second one dealt with principles of origin within the Sultanate's Detailed Agreements. 

     The opening ceremony of the seminar was attended by Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, OCCI chairman, undersecretaries, OCCI's board members, representatives of the ALO, Government's department officials, private sector establishments and Omani businessmen.

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Manpower Minister receives ALO's Director General 

    Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---Dr. Jumah bin Ali bin Jumah, Manpower Minister received here today

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Luqman, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organization (ALO).

    The meeting discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the Sultanate and ALO in the field of labour, manpower and training.

   The meeting was attended by Sayyid Hamed bin Hilal al Busaidi, Manpower Ministry undersecretary for labour affairs, Hamed bin Khamis al A'mri, Manpower Ministry undersecretary for technical education and vocational training and ministry's officials.

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     Muscat, December 1 (ONA)---Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture presided over the celebration organized to mark the launch of the AIDS national strategy under the theme “Oman free of aids” at the Health Science Institute in Wattaiyah today.  

     The launching of the AIDS national strategy coincides with the celebration of the World AIDS Day which falls on the first of December each year.  

     Dr. Ali bin Ja’afar bin Mohammed, Advisor to the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating AIDS said that the Sultanate is one of the first five countries of the region that have already completed or started formulating national AIDS strategy.  

    The World AIDS Day slogan for this year is  “Oh leaders, Keep the Promise and stop the AIDS”,  he added.  

    The first AIDS case in the Sultanate was reported in 1984. The Ministry of Health is making great endeavors to maintain AIDS at the lowest possible rates through the implementation and enhancing of a number of AIDS national programs. These programs have gained momentum in the seventh five-year plan (2006-2010) when they were considered among the top priorities for the seventh five-year plan. 

    In a bid to ensure long term outcomes, the Ministry of Health provides antibiotics and other medications to AIDS patients, he added.  

    The Ministry of Health also initiated a number of projects and programs in collaboration with international organizations like the peers education project which covered schools, scouting groups, higher educational institutions and women associations. It also initiated AIDS comprehensive services in 2003 which includes the free toll Hot Line, internet service, direct clinical advise, availing places for free of charge AIDS tests for whoever wants to perform the test in addition to availing database on sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, he continued.

      Ministry of Health statistics show that the number of AIDS patients during the period from 2000 till October end 2007 - below 15 years of age - amounted to 26, 88% of which have contracted AIDS due to transmission of the virus from mother to child. It is therefore important to test pregnant women for AIDS and take precautionary measures when the result is positive to prevent the transmission of the disease from the mother to the child and deterioration of the case, he added.  

     On her part, Dr. Jihan Farah Taweelah, WHO representative in the Sultanate and Acting Chairperson of UN Group delivered a speech in which she pointed out the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to implement a number of programs and initiatives to control AIDS."  By drafting the national AIDS strategy, the Sultanate now identifies the role of each sector in the implementation of the national strategy', she added. 

     At the end of the ceremony, Sayyid Haitham toured the exhibition which was held on the sidelines of the launching ceremony that included a number of novel techniques about AIDS protection.  

   The program of the event also included a number of performances including a theatre sketch.

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    Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)--- Yahya bin Saud al-Sulaimi, Education Minister received in his office today a Yemeni educational delegation headed by Abdul-Kareem Mohammed Abdullah al-Jindari, undersecretary of projects and logistics sector at the Education Ministry in the sisterly Yemeni Republic and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate. 

     During the meeting, aspects of joint cooperation between the Sultanate and the sisterly Yemeni Republic in the educational field and acquainting itself with the Education Ministry’s experience in education in the field of school projects and their logistics were discussed.

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  Ibri Court Complex Opens 

     Ibri, Dec 1 (ONA)--- Under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali al Qatabi, State’s Adviser, Ibri Court Complex was opened at the Wilayat of Ibri today. 

     The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Isa’ee chairman of Majlis A’Shura, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Zahir al Hinai, Justice Minister and Deputy President of the Supreme Judiciary Council, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali al Qatabi, Minister of Fisheries, Sheikh Isha’q bin Ahmed al Busaidi, President of the Supreme Court and Head of the Administrative Affairs Council, Sheikh Siba’a bin Hamdan al-Sa’adi, Secretary-General of Celebrations’ Supreme Committee, honorable members of the State Council and members of Majlis A’Shura at the Al-Dhahrah region, undersecretaries, advisers, Governor of Al Buraimi, Walis of al Buraimi Governorate and Dhahirah region, chairmen and judges at the Court of Appeal and Primary Courts, officials, Sheikhs, dignitaries and citizens. 

     Sheikh Zahir bin Abdullah al Abri, undersecretary of the Justice Ministry gave a speech in which he said the facility brings under one roof the Appeal Court and the Primary Court which covers the Al-Dhahirah region and Governorate of Al Buraimi, as well as the Primary Court premises and the Notary Public Department at Ibri. 

     He described construction of the justice edifice as among the pillars of establishing stability among people, adding that people are in need for a law that is capable of protecting the human rights to achieve stability and security for them. 

    The Justice Ministry’s undersecretary thanked His Majesty the Sultan for the great attention and care he accorded to justice and law.  

     The chief guest, in a statement, said the court complex, implemented by the Justice Ministry comes in implementation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s policies aimed for judiciary authority to keep abreast of the state’s institutions, noting that the Justice Ministry is implementing the judiciary authority’s policies in terms of constructing facilities and institutes to train judges and staff in administrative and technical fields.

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  “Assad Al Bahar” Exercise Kicks-Off  

     Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---“Assad Al Bahr” Naval exercise began today. The exercise is carried out by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) with the participation of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) within the framework of training plans of the RNO fleet and personnel. 

     The participating ships sailed from Said bin Sultan’s Naval Base to the exercise site in preparation for the exercise as per the laid down plans and training framework. 

     The exercise “Assad Al Bahr” whose activities will continue for several days aimed at boosting the fleet’s capabilities and test the equipment in addition to training officers and personnel of the RNO.

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National Committee for Safety and Occupational Health / Meeting 

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    Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---The National Committee for Safety and Occupational Health today held a meeting under the chairmanship of Sayyid Hamad bin Hilal al Busaidi, Manpower Ministry undersecretary for labour affairs, to discuss occupational health and safety project regulations in the presence of representatives of government and private authorities and labourers.

    The meeting listened to some technical remarks raised by some members, which concern all parties of production. A number of proposals related to occupational and safety health at work sites and how to serve production operation were presented. 

    It is worth-noting that the national committee for occupational health and safety was established via a ministerial decision which is concerned with preparing national strategy for occupational safety and health, which include general policy for occupational safety and health at private sector establishments in accordance with the provisions of the labour laws, the ministerial decisions issued in its implementation, proposing execution plans for this policy and developing them, proposal on media policy through which preventive awareness can be spread among businessmen and labourers and a proposal on executive plans for this policy.

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 Qatar & Oman Investment Shares to be traded 

     Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---Qatar and Oman Investment Company (QOICO) shares will be traded at Doha Securities Market (DSM) as on Dec 12th 2007.  

     Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and head of the Omani side at OQICO told Oman News Agency (ONA). He said Omanis who are holding shares at the company may sell and buy shares of the company via brokerage companies in the Sultanate which are electronically linked with the DSM.  

    He added that QOICO is involved in various investment activities, such as, industrial, services, trade, agricultural and tourism sectors besides other projects aimed at ensuring economic, trade and social developments in both the Sultanate and Qatar. 

    Worth-noting, the Sultanate and Qatar set up QOICO with a capital of 300 million Qatari Riyal distributed at 30 million shares at a nominal value of 10 Qatari Riyal per share. 

   The Public Underwriting of the company's shares started on June 17th 2007 with 60 percent of the company's stakes owned by Omani and Qatari citizens.

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SQU / New Batch Graduation 

    Muscat, Dec 1 (ONA)---The 18th batch of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) students Bsc holders and the 16th batch of the Master holders were graduated at the SQU premises here today under the auspices of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court.  

    The number of Bsc and Master holders this year stood at 2,468, including 2,336 Bsc holders and 132 Masters holders in different specialities. It is the first time that the Masters certificate in Law has been awarded. 

    The chief guest, then presented graduation certificates to graduating students from the colleges of Arts and Social Sciences, Education and Law. The number of gradates at the College of Law reached 711, the College of Arts and Social Sciences 507 graduates and the College of Law 206 graduates. 

   Dr. Saud bin Nasser al Riyami, Vice-Chancellor of SQU gave a speech on this occasion in which he congratulated the graduating students urging them to shoulder the national responsibility to serve their country by using the knowledge they have learnt in various work fields. He highlighted the role played by the SQU and the advancements that it achieved in Academic Accreditation. He also noted that the Colleges of Education, Arts and Social Sciences have also embarked on preparation of the Academic Accreditation for their programmes equal to the Engineering College.

     Within the context of diversifying the Academic Programmes, the SQU has introduced new programmes of different specialities in the Bsc, Master to cope with scientific advances. He outlined that SQU in coordination with an International Committee, has began assessing the College of Law Status.  

    The SQU Vice Chancellor explained that SQU is according special attention to Scientific Research, believing in its role in serving academic programmes at the educational institutions. He referred to the attention accorded to Tourism Students at the College of Arts and Social Sciences who are enrolled at some training programmes at some international institutions in the UK, France, Germany and tourism and commercial marketing department in Dubai.  

    Speaking about the students activities, the SQU Vice Chancellor noted that the SQU students have won first place at the AGCC Universities Cultural and Scientific Week held in the UAE last month. SQU have singed a number of MoU with international educational institutions to benefit from their expertise. 

    It is worth-noting that SQU next Saturday December 8^th will graduate the remaining number of the graduating students at the college of Commerce and Economy (286), College of Engineering (251), Medicine and Health Sciences College (152), graduates from the Science college 240 and gradates at the College of Agricultural and Marine 115.  

    The ceremony was attended by members of the Royal Family, ministers, undersecretaries, honourable members of the State Council and members of the Majlis A'Shura, head of Diplomatic missions to the Sultanate and parents.

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