Oman's government is working to ensure young people are given opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship support, Sultan Haitham said on Tuesday.
In a televised speech to mark two years since his ascension to the throne after the death of long-time ruler Sultan Qaboos, he said good progress had been made in 2021 to employ more Omanis, despite challenges.
"We have placed youth at the forefront of our government’s concerns," Sultan Haitham said.
"We look forward with hope, combined with determination, that all sectors of the state and the private sector will play the role expected of them in promoting employment, being the cornerstone of the economy and development."
Sultan Haitham said Oman was dedicated to training its young people for the labour market, and would provide assistance to entrepreneurs.
"We are resolved to lend them our support and encourage their entrepreneurship programmes," he said.
"We will offer necessary support and incentives to small and medium enterprises, given their vital role in stimulating economic activity and employment opportunities."
The country is diversifying its economy away from oil in line with the Oman Vision 2040 plan.
Based on directives from Sultan Qaboos, the plan has three main pillars focusing on people and society, economy and development, and governance and institutional performance.
"Local investment constitutes one of the basic pillars of diversification of the national income," Sultan Haitham said.
"After we launched a set of national programmes and furnished proper suitable grounds, we hereby urge all to invest funds locally."
The Ruler also promised support for the victims of climate change-related events and said an early-warning system would be established.
The sultanate suffered from weather events in 2021, including Cyclone Shaheen, which killed 12 people in Oman and left more than 5,000 in emergency accommodation.
"Based on our keenness to provide maximum levels of protection and care for citizens and residents, we hereby direct the government to speed up the rate of support and development of the early-warning system and to endorse the best urban planning schemes to curb the impact of such climatic conditions," Sultan Haitham said.
In December, Oman's finance minister promised 200 million rials ($519.5m) to repair damage from the cyclone.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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