1981 Editor-in-chief : Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili ...€¦ · Editor-in-chief : Abdullah bin...

WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 19, 2020 | DHUL HIJJAH 29, 1441 AH

[email protected] www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserverEstablished 1981

OMAN DAILY

Editor-in-chief : Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili

VOL. 39 NO. 279 | PAGES 20 | BAISAS 200

NEW MINISTRIES AND MINISTERS NAMED

#Living_with_COVID19

Be Careful,Be Responsible!

HIS MAJESTY ISSUES 28 R OYAL DE C R E E S

MINISTRY OF HERITAGE

AND TOURISM IS FORMED

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND

URBAN PLANNING

A NEW MINISTRY OF

ECONOMY ESTABLISHED

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND

LEGAL AFFAIRS FORMED

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

ESTABLISHED

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT,

COMMUNICATIONS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,

FISHERIES AND WATER RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITY

ESTABLISHED

MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS

AND YOUTH ESTABLISHED

MINISTRY OF OIL AND GAS

BECOMES MINISTRY OF ENERGY

AND MINERALS

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND

INDUSTRY BECOMES MINISTRY OF COMMERCE,

INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION

MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

NEW PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR

SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AND FREE ZONES

A NEW TAX AUTHORITY IS ESTABLISHED

ROYAL DECREES: PA GES - 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 02

ROYALDECREES

HIS MAJESTY ISSUES 28 ROYAL DECREES

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin

Tarik on Tuesday issued 28 Royal Decrees.

Royal Decree No 86/2020 on cancellation

of some laws.

Article (1) cancels the Law on Regulating

Sohar Municipality (promulgated under

Royal Decree No 9/97), the Law on Regulating

Regional Municipalities (promulgated under

Royal Decree No 96/2000) and Muscat

Municipality (promulgated under Royal

Decree No 38/2015).

Article (2) says that this Decree shall be

published in the Official Gazette and enforced

on the day following its date of publication.

MINISTRY OF CULTURE,

SPORTS AND YOUTH

Royal Decree No 87/2020 on establishing

the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth,

defining its specialisations and endorsing its

organisational structure.

Article (1) sets up a ministry to be named

“Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth” and

defines its specialisations in accordance with

Annex (1) attached to this Decree.

Article (2) endorses the organisational

structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports

and Youth in accordance with Annex (2)

attached to this Decree.

Article (3) states that the following shall

come under the purview of the Ministry of

Culture, Sports and Youth: All specialisations,

origins, rights, obligations and assets of the

Ministry of Sports Affairs, the Ministry

of Arts Affairs and the National Youth

Commission, as well as all that relates to

cultural affairs from the Ministry of Heritage

and Culture.

Article (4) states that employees of the

Ministry of Sports Affairs, the Ministry

of Arts Affairs and the National Youth

Commission shall be transferred to the

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, along

with their financial grades. It also states that

cultural affairs-related employees of the

Ministry of Heritage and Culture shall be

transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Sports

and Youth in accordance with terms to be set

by the Council of Ministers.

Article (5) states that the phrases “Ministry

of Sports Affairs”, “Ministry of Arts Affairs”

and “National Youth Commission” shall be

replaced, wherever they occur in laws and

Royal Decrees, with the phrase “Ministry of

Culture, Sports and Youth”.

It also states that the phrases “Minister

of Sports Affairs”, “Minister of Arts Affairs”

and “Chairman of the National Youth

Commission”, wherever they occur in laws

and Royal Decrees, shall be replaced with

the phrase “Minister of Culture, Sports and

Youth”.

The phrases “Ministry of Heritage and

Culture” and “Minister of Heritage and

Culture”, wherever they occur in related laws

and Royal Decrees, shall be replaced with the

two phrases “Ministry of Culture, Sports and

Youth” and “Minister of Culture, Sports and

Youth”.

Article (6) cancels the Ministry of Sports

Affairs, the Ministry of Arts Affairs and the

National Youth Commission, as well as all

that contravenes this Decree or contradicts

with its provisions.



from its date of issue.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Royal Decree No 88/2020 merges the

Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Legal

Affairs in one ministry named “Ministry

of Justice and Legal Affairs”, defines its

specialisations and endorses its organisational

structure.

Article (1) merges the Ministry of Justice

and the Ministry of Legal Affairs in one

ministry named “Ministry of Justice and

Legal Affairs” and defines its specialisations

in accordance with Annex (1) attached to this

Decree.


structure of the Ministry of Justice and

Legal Affairs in accordance with Annex (2)

attached to this Decree.



Justice and Legal Affairs: All allocations,


Ministry of Legal Affairs whose employees

shall be transferred to the Ministry of Justice

and Legal Affairs.

It also states that technical members at the

Ministry of Legal Affairs, along with their

financial grades, financial allocations and job

status, shall be transferred to the Ministry of

Justice and Legal Affairs.

Article (4) states that, without prejudice

to Article (5) of this Decree, the following

shall come under the purview of the Ministry

of Justice and Legal Affairs: All the assets,


Ministry of Justice whose employees will

be transferred to the Ministry of Justice

and Legal Affairs, (including employees

of divisions related to tasks of expertise

before courts, advocacy affairs), Ministry

of Interior, Ministry of Endowments and

Religious Affairs, the Secretariat-General of

the Administrative Affairs Council for the

Judiciary and the governorates of Muscat,

Dhofar and Musandam — along with their

financial grades — in accordance with terms

to be set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (5) transfers to the Ministry of

Interior and the governorates of Muscat,

Dhofar and Musandam all specialisations,

allocations, origins, rights, obligations

and assets of divisions of concord and

reconciliation at the Ministry of Justice. It

also transfers employees of these divisions to

the respective departments, each according to

their specialisations, along with their existing

financial grades.

It also states that the following shall

come under the purview of the Ministry

of Endowments and Religious Affairs: all

specialisations, allocations, origins, rights,

obligations and assets of the Directorate-

General for Management and Investment of

Orphans and Minors Funds at the Ministry

of Justice whose employees will be transferred

to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious

Affairs, along with their financial grades.

It also transfers to the Administrative

Affairs Council for the Judiciary all

specialisations, allocations, origins, rights,

obligations and assets of divisions related to

the notary public at the Ministry of Justice.

It also transfers the employees of these

divisions to the Secretariat-General of

Administrative Affairs Council for the

Judiciary, along with their financial grades.


of Justice”, “Ministry of Legal Affairs”,

“Minister of Justice” and “Minister of Legal

Affairs”, wherever they occur in laws and

Royal Decrees of relevance to legal affairs,

tasks of expertise before courts and advocacy,

shall be replaced with the phrases “Ministry

of Justice and Legal Affairs” and “Minister of

Justice and Legal Affairs”.

It also states that the phrases “Ministry of

Justice” and “Minister of Justice”, wherever

they occur in laws and Royal Decrees of

relevance to concord and reconciliation,

shall be replaced, where applicable, with the

phrases “Ministry of Interior”, “Governorate

of Muscat”, “Governorate of Dhofar”,

“Governorate of Musandam”, “Minister of

Interior”, “Minister of State and Governor of

Muscat”, “Minister of State and Governor of

Dhofar” and “Minister of State and Governor

of Musandam”.

The phrases “Ministry of Justice” and

“Minister of Justice”, wherever they occur,

shall be replaced in laws and Royal Decrees

of relevance to the notary public, with the

phrases “Administrative Affairs Council

for the Judiciary” and “Chairman of the

Administrative Affairs Council for the

Judiciary”.

Article (7) cancels all that contravenes this

Decree or contradicts with its provisions.



on its date of issue.

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

Royal Decree No 89/2020 establishes the

Ministry of Labour, defines its specialisations

and endorses its organisational structure.

Article (1) establishes a ministry to be

named “Ministry of Labour” and defines it

specialisations in accordance with Annex (1)

of this Decree.


structure of the Ministry of Labour in

accordance with Annex (2) of this Decree.


come under the purview of the Ministry

of Labour: All allocations, origins, rights,

obligations and assets of the Civil Service

Council, the Ministry of Manpower, the

Ministry of Civil Service, the National

Training Fund and the National Centre for

Employment.

Article (4) transfers to the Ministry

of Labour employees of the Ministry of

Manpower, the Ministry of Civil Service, the

National Training Fund and the National

Centre for Employment all along with their

existing financial grades.

Article (5) states that the phrases “Civil

Service Council”, “Ministry of Civil Service”

and “Ministry of Manpower”, wherever they

occur in laws and Royal Decrees of relevance

to civil service and labour, shall be replaced

with the phrase “Ministry of Labour”.

It also states that the phrases “Chairman

of the Civil Service Council” and “Minister of

Civil Service” and “Minister of Manpower”,

wherever they occur in laws and Royal

Decrees of relevance to civil service and

labour, shall be replaced with the phrase

“Minister of Labour”.

Article (6) cancels the Civil Service

Council, the Ministry of Manpower, the

Ministry of Civil Service, the National

Training Fund and the National Centre for

Employment, as well as all that contravenes

this Decree or contradicts with its provisions.



from its date of issue.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT,

COMMUNICATIONS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Royal Decree No 90/2020 establishes the

“Ministry of Transport, Communications

and Information Technology”, defines its

specialisations and endorses its organisational

structure.

Article (1) establishes a ministry

to be named “Ministry of Transport,

Communications and Information

Technology” and defines its specialisations in

accordance with Annex (1) of this Decree, but

without prejudice to the System of Electronic

Defence Centre (promulgated under Royal

Decree No 64/2020).


structure of the Ministry of Transport,


Technology in accordance with Annex (2) of

this Decree.



Transport, Communications and Information

Technology: All allocations, origins, rights,

obligations and assets of the Ministry of

Transport and Ministry of Technology and

Communications.

Article (4) states that employees of the

Ministry of Transport and Ministry of

Technology and Communications shall be

transferred to the Ministry of Transport,


Technology, along with their existing

financial grades.


of Transport” and “Ministry of Technology

and Communications”, wherever they occur

in laws and Royal Decrees of relevance to

transport, communications, information

technology and posts, shall be replaced

with the phrase “Ministry of Transport,


Technology”.

It also states that the phrases “Minister

of Transport” and “Minister of Technology

and Communications”, wherever they occur

in laws and Royal Decrees of relevance to

transport, communications, information

technology ad posts, shall be replaced

with the phrase “Minister of Transport,


Technology”.

Article (6) cancels the Ministry of

Transport and the Ministry of Technology

and Communications, as well as all that

contravenes this Decree or contradicts with

its provisions.




MINISTRY OF HERITAGE

AND TOURISM

Royal Decree No 91/2020 amends the

name of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture,

defines its specialisations and endorses its


Article (1) renames the Ministry of Heritage

and Culture as “Ministry of Heritage and

Tourism” and defines its specialisations in

accordance with Annex (1) of this Decree.


structure of the Ministry of Heritage and

Tourism in accordance with Annex (2) of this

Decree.

Article (3) states that all the allocations,


Ministry of Tourism shall come under the

purview of the Ministry of Heritage and

Tourism.

Article (4) transfers employees of the

Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Heritage

and Tourism, along with their existing financial

grades.

Article (5) states that the phrases “Ministry of

Heritage and Culture” and “Minister of Heritage

and Culture”, wherever they occur in laws and

Royal Decrees of relevance to heritage, shall be

replaced with the phrases “Ministry of Heritage

and Tourism” and “Minister of Heritage and

Tourism”.


Tourism” and “Minister of Tourism”, wherever

they occur in laws and Royal Decrees, shall be

replaced with the phrases “Ministry of Heritage

and Tourism” and “Minister of Heritage and

Tourism”.

Article (6) cancels the Ministry of Tourism

and all that contravenes this Decree or

contradicts its provisions.




MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,

FISHERIES AND WATER RESOURCES

Royal Decree No 92/2020 amends the name

of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as

“Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water

Resources”, defines its specialisations and

endorses its organisational structure.

Article (1) renames the Ministry of

Agriculture and Fisheries as “Ministry of

Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources”

and defines its specialisations in accordance

with Annex (1) of this Decree.


structure of the Ministry of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Water Resources” in accordance

with Annex No (2) of this Decree.



Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources:

All allocations, origins, rights, obligations and

assets of the Public Authority for Stores and

Food Reserve, divisions of water resources

and the Food Safety and Quality Centre at the

Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water

Resources.

Article (4) transfers employees of the Public

Authority for Stores and Food Reserve to the

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water

Resources, along with their existing financial

grades.

It also transfers to the same Ministry the

employees of the Food Safety and Quality Centre,

as well as water resources-related employees

of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and

Water Resources, all along with their existing

financial grades and in accordance with the

terms to be set by the Council of Ministers.


of Agriculture and Fisheries” and “Minister of

Agriculture and Fisheries”, wherever they occur

in laws and Royal Decrees, shall be replaced

with “Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and

Water Resources” and “Minister of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Water Resources”.


Regional Municipalities and Water Resources”

and “Minister of Regional Municipalities and

Water Resources”, wherever they might occur

in laws and Royal Decrees of relevance to water

resources and food safety, with the phrases

“Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water

Resources” and “Minister of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Water Resources”.

Article (6) cancels the Public Authority

for Stores and Food Reserve, as well as all that

contradicts this Decree or contravenes its

provisions.


published in the Official Gazette and takes effect

from its date of issue. TURN TO P4

HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said

Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers

HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said

Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy

Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court

Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Nuamani

Minister of Royal Office

Sh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmi

Minister of Awquaf and Religious Affairs

Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy

Minister of Energy and Minerals

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi

Minister of Health

Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi

Minister of Information

Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan al Busaidy

Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar

Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy

Minister of State and Governor of Musandam

Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah

Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation

Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali

Minister of Transport, Comnunications and Information Technology

Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri

Minister of Economy

Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy

Minister of Interior

Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah

Minister of Education

Salem bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi

Minister of Heritage and Tourism

Qais bin Mohammed al Yousuf

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion

Sayyid Badr bin Hamed al Busaidy

Foriegn Minister

Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy

Minister of State and Governor of Muscat

Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources

Laila bint Ahmed al Najar

Minister of Social Development

Sultan bin Salem al Habsi

Minister of Finance

Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Saeedi

Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs

Dr Khalfan bin Said al Shueili

Minister of Housing and Urban Planning

Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain

Minister of Labour

HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said

Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS


ROYALDECREES

HIS MAJESTY ISSUES 28 ROYAL DECREESFROM PAGE 2

MINISTRY OF HOUSING

AND URBAN PLANNING

Royal Decree No 93/2020 amends

the name of the Ministry Housing

as “Ministry of Housing and Urban

Planning”, defines its specialisations

and endorses its organisational

structure.

Article (1) renames the Ministry

of Housing as “Ministry of Housing

and Urban Planning” and defines its

specialisations in accordance with

Annex (1) of this Decree.

Article (2) endorses the

organisational structure of the

Ministry of Housing and Urban

Planning in accordance with Annex

(2) of this Decree.

Article (3) states that the following

shall come under the purview of

the Ministry of Housing and Urban

Planning: All allocations, origins,

rights, obligations and assets related

to urban planning at the Secretariat

General of the Supreme Council for

Planning.


of Housing and Urban Planning

employees of urban planning

from the Secretariat General of the

Supreme Council for Planning, along

with their existing financial grades

and in accordance with terms to be

set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (5) states that the phrases

“Ministry of Housing” and “Minister

of Housing”, wherever they occur

in laws and Royal decrees, shall be

replaced with “Ministry of Housing

and Urban Planning” and “Minister

of Housing and Urban Planning”.

Article (6) cancels Royal

Decree No 64/2014 (on defining

the specialisations of the Ministry

of Housing and endorsing its

organizational structure), as well as

all that contradicts this decree or

contravenes with its provisions.

Article (7) says that this Decree

shall be published in the Official

Gazette and takes effect from its date

of issue.

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Royal Decree No 94/2020

establishes the Ministry of Economy,

defines its specialisations and


Article (1) establishes the

Ministry of Economy and endorses

its specialisations in accordance with

Annex (1) of this Decree.



Ministry of Economy in accordance

with Annex (2) of this Decree.

Article (3) states that — without

prejudice to the provisions of Royal

Decree No 93/2020 on amending

the name of the Ministry of Housing

as “Ministry of Housing and Urban

Planning”, defining its specialisations

and endorsing its organisational

structure — the following shall come

under the purview of the Ministry

of Economy: All allocations, origins,

rights, obligations and assets of the

Secretariat General of the Supreme

Council for Planning.

It also states that employees

of the Secretariat General of the

Supreme Council for Planning shall

be transferred to the Ministry of

Economy, along with their existing

financial grades.

Article (4) cancels the Supreme

Council for Planning, as well as

all that contravenes this decree or

contradicts with its provisions.

Article (5) says that this Decree


Gazette and enforced from its date of

issue.

SPECIALISATIONS OF

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

Royal Decree No 95/2020 defines

the specialisations of the Ministry

of Information and endorses its


Article (1) defines the

specialisations of the Ministry of

Information in accordance with

Annex (1) of this decree.



Ministry of Information in

accordance with Annex (2) of this

decree.



the Ministry of Information: All


and assets of the Public Authority

for Radio and Television, Oman

Establishment for Press, Publication

and Advertising, the Media Training

Centre and the Directorate General

of Communications at the Secretariat

General of the Council of Ministers.

Article (4) transfers to the

Ministry of Information employees

of the Public Authority for Radio and

Television, Oman Establishment for

Press, Publication and Advertising,

the Media Training Centre,

and the Directorate General of

Communications at the Secretariat

General of the Council of Ministers,

along with their existing financial

grades.

Article (5) cancels the Public

Authority for Radio and Television,

Oman Establishment for Press,

Publication and Advertising,

the Media Training Centre

and the Government Services

Communications Centre at the

Secretariat General of the Council

of Ministers. It also cancels all that

contravenes this decree or contradicts

its provisions.

Article (6) says that this decree


Gazette and enforced on its date of

issue.

MINISTRY OF ENERGY

AND MINERALS


the name of the Ministry of Oil and

Gas as “Ministry of Energy and

Minerals”, defines its specialisations

and endorses its organisational

structure.

Article (1) renames the Ministry.

of Oil and Gas as “Ministry of

Energy and Minerals” and defines


Annex (1) of this decree



Ministry of Energy and Minerals in


decree.

Article (3) states that all allocations,

origins, rights, obligations and assets

of the Public Authority for Mining

shall come under the purview of the

Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

Article (4) transfers the employees

of the Public Authority for Mining to

the Ministry of Energy and Minerals,


grades.


“Ministry of Oil and Gas” and “Public

Authority for Mining”, wherever they

occur in laws and Royal decrees, shall

be replaced with “Ministry of Energy

and Mining”.

It also states that the phrases

“Minister of Oil and Gas”, “Chairman

of the Board of Directors of the

Public Authority for Mining” and

“Chief Executive Officer of the Public

Authority for Mining”, wherever they

occur in laws and Royal decrees, shall

be replaced with “Minister of Energy

and Minerals”. Article (6) cancels

the Public Authority for Mining and

all that contravenes this decree or

contradicts with its provisions




issue.

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE,

INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT

PROMOTION


amends the name of the Ministry

of Commerce and Industry as

“Ministry of Commerce, Industry

and Investment Promotion”, defines

its specialisations and endorses its


Article (1) renames the Ministry of

Commerce and Industry as “Ministry

of Commerce, Industry and

Investment Promotion” and defines





Ministry of Commerce, Industry and

Investment Promotion in accordance

with Annex (2) of this decree.

Article (3) says that the following


Ministry of Commerce, Industry

and Investment Promotion: all


and assets of the Public Authority for

Investment Promotion and Exports

Developments and the Centre for

Protection of Competition and

Prevention of Monopoly.

Article (4) transfers employees of

the Public Authority for Investment

Promotion and Exports Development

and the Centre for Protection

of Competition and Prevention

of Monopoly to the Ministry of

Commerce, Industry and Investment

Promotion, along with their existing

financial grades.


“Ministry of Commerce and

Industry”, “Public Authority for

Investment Promotion and Exports

Development and the Centre for

Protection of Investment and

Prevention of Monopoly, wherever

they occur in laws and Royal

decrees, with the phrase “Ministry of


Promotion”.

It also states that the phrases

“Minister of Commerce and

Industry”, “Chief Executive Officer of

the Public Authority for Investment

Promotion and Exports Development

and “Board Chairman of the Centre

for Protection of Competition and

Prevention of Monopoly, wherever

they occur in laws and Royal

decrees, with the phrase “Minister of


Promotion”.

Article (6) cancels the Public

Authority for Investment Promotion

and Exports Development and the

Centre for Protection of Competition

and Prevention of Monopoly, as well

as all that contravenes this decree or

contradicts with its provisions.




of issue.

MINISTRY OF HIGHER

EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND

INNOVATION


the name of the Ministry of Higher

Education as “Ministry of Higher

Education, Research and Innovation”,



Article (1) renames the Ministry

of Higher Education as “Ministry

of Higher Education, Research

and Innovation” and defines its

specialisations in accordance with




Ministry of Higher Education,

Research and Innovation in


decree.



the Ministry of Higher Education,

Research and Innovation: All


and assets of The Research Council

and its secretariat general, the

Directorate General of Vocational

Training and Directorate General of

Vocational Standards and Syllabus

Development at the Ministry of

Manpower.


of Higher Education, Research and

Innovation the employees of The

Research Council and its Secretariat

General, the Directorate General

of Vocational Training and the

Directorate General of Vocational

Standards and Syllabus Development

at the Ministry of Manpower, along

with their existing financial grades.

Article (5) states that the phrase

“The Research Council”, wherever

it occurs in laws and Royal decrees,

shall be replaced with “Ministry of

Higher Education, Research and

Innovation”.

Article (6) cancels The Research

Council and its Secretariat General, as

well as all that contravenes this decree

or contradicts with its provisions.




issue.

SOME MINISTRIES RENAMED


designations of some ministries.

Article (1) renames “Minister

Responsible for Foreign Affairs”,

wherever it occurs in laws and Royal

decrees, as “Foreign Minister’’

Article (2) renames “Minister

Responsible for Financial Affairs”,

wherever it occurs in laws and Royal

decrees, as “Minister of Finance”.

Article (3) cancels all that

contravenes this decree or

contravenes with its provisions.




of issue.

OMAN VISION 2040

IMPLEMENTATION

FOLLOW-UP UNIT


establishes Oman Vision 2040

Implementation Follow-up Unit,



Article (1) sets up a unit to

be named “Unit of Follow-up of

Implementation of Oman Vision

2040” and defines its specialisations

in accordance with Annex (1) of this

decree and states this Unit exercises

its specializations in coordination

with the Council of Ministers


organisational structure of Unit of

Follow-up of Implementation of

Oman Vision 2040 in accordance

with Annex (2) of this decree.

Article (3) states that the Unit

of Follow-up of Implementation

of Oman Vision 2040 shall have a

Chairman to be appointed by Royal

Decree.



Unit of Follow-up of Implementation

of Oman Vision 2040: All allocations,


of the Unit of Implementation and

Follow-up at the Directorate General

for Follow-up of Government

Services at the Secretariat General of

the Council of Ministers.

Article (5) transfers to the Unit

of Follow-up of Implementation of

Oman Vision 2040 the employees

of the Unit of Implementation and

Follow-up at the Directorate General

for Follow-up of Government

Services at the Secretariat General of

the Council of Ministers, along with

their existing financial grades.

Article (6) cancels the Unit of

Implementation Support and Follow-

up, as well as all that contravenes this

decree or contradicts its provisions.



Gazette and enforced from its date of

issue.

SYSTEM OF GOVERNORATES

AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Royal Decree No 101/2020 on

the promulgation of “System of

Governorates and Municipal Affairs”.

Article (1) stipulates that the

“System of Governorates and

Municipal Affairs”, attached to this

decree, shall be enforced.

Article (2) states that the

Minister of Interior shall issue the

regulations and decisions necessary

for the implementation of the above-

mentioned System attached to this

decree. Until then, the existing

regulations and decisions in force

shall continue to be implemented

without prejudice to the provisions of

this System.

Article (3) states that — without

prejudice to Article (5) of this decree

or to provisions of Royal Decree No

92/2020 (on amending the name of

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

to “Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries

and Water Resources, defining its

specialisations and endorsing its

organizational structure) — the

following shall come under the

purview of the Ministry of Interior:

All allocations, origins, rights,

obligations and assets of the Ministry

of Regional Municipalities and Water

Resources.

It also states that employees of the

Ministry of Regional Municipalities

and Water Resources shall be

transferred to the Ministry of Interior,


grades — and that all assets, origins,

rights, obligations and assets of Sohar

Municipality and its employees shall

be transferred to the Ministry of

Interior, along with their existing

financial grades.

Article (4) instructs that the

Ministry of Interior shall transfer the

following to the governorates under

its authority: All the allocations,


that came under its purview, as

well as employees transferred — by

virtue of provisions of Article (3)

of this decree and the Royal decree

merging the Ministry of Justice

and the Ministry of Legal Affairs in

one ministry named as Ministry of

Justice and Legal Affairs, defining

its specialisations and endorsing its


It also instructs that the transfer

stated here shall be effected in

accordance with the regulations to

be issued under a decision by the

Minister of Interior.TURN TO P5

FROM PAGE 4Article (5) states that the following

shall come under the purview of the Governorate of Musandam: All allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets related to regional municipalities in divisions under the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in the Governorste of Musandam. It also transfers the employees of these divisions to the Governorate of Musandam, along with their existing financial grades.

Article (6) states that the following shall come under the purview of the Governorate of Muscat: All allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of Muscat Municipality. It also transfers the employees concerned to the Governorate of Muscat.

Article (7) cancels the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, as well as all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.

Article (8) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced on its date of issue.

SPECIALISATIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Royal Decree No 102/2020 defines the specialisations of the Ministry of Interior and endorses its organisational structure.

Article (1) defines the specialisations of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with Annex (1) of this decree.

Article (2) endorses the organisational structure of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with Annex (2) of this decree.

Article (3) cancels Royal Decree No 3/2003 (endorsing the organisational structure of Ministry of Interior) and all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.


TAX AUTHORITY

Royal Decree No 103/2020 on amending some provisions of the two Royal decrees on establishing the Tax Authority, promulgating its System and endorsing its organisational structure.

Article (1) states that the phrases “reports to the Council of Ministers” in Article (1) of Royal Decree No 66/2019 shall be replaced with the phrase “reports to the Minister of Finance”.

Article (2) states that Article (6) of the System of Tax Authority shall be replaced with the clause “The Tax Authority shall have a Chairman under the Special Grade to be appointed by Royal decree.”

Article (3) cancels all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.

Article (4) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and takes effect from its date of issue.

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Royal Decree No 104/2020 on amending some provisions of the two Royal decrees on establishing the National Centre for Statistics and Information and promulgating its System.

Article (1) states that the first article of Royal Decree No 31/2012 shall be replaced with the following:

“That a centre to be named National Centre for Statistics and Information shall be established and that it shall report to the Minister of Economy.”

Article (2) replaces the phrase “Supreme Council for Planning”, wherever it occurs in the System of the National Centre for Statistics and Information, shall be replaced with the phrase “Minister of Economy”.

Article (3) cancels all that contravenes this decree or contradicts with its provisions.

Article (4) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced from its date of issue.

PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AND FREE ZONES

Royal Decree No 105/2020 establishes the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones and defines its specialisations.

Article (1) establishes a public authority under the name “Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones” and states that this authority shall have legal identity and financial and administrative independence. It also states that this authority reports to the Council of Ministers.

Article (2) states that the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones shall have its headquarters in the Governorate of Muscat and that, under a decision by its board of directors, it can have branches in other governorates or offices abroad.

Article (3) defines the specialisations of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones in accordance with the Annex attached to this decree.

Article (4) states that the Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones shall

also be the Board Chairman of the Authority.

Article (5) transfers to the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones all allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm.

Article (6) transfers to the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones the employees of the Special Economic Zone (Duqm), along with their existing financial grades.

Article (7) states that the Board Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones shall practise the specialisations prescribed for the Free Zone Committee, quoted in the Law on Free Zones and Royal decrees on the establishment of free zones of Al Mazyounah, Salalah and Sohar.

Article (8) the phrases “the Special Economic Zone in Duqm”, “Board of Directors of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm”, “Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm”, “Executive President of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm”, wherever they might occur in laws and Royal decrees, shall be replaced with the phrases “the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones”, “the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones”, “the Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones” and “the Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones.

It also states that the phrases “Free Zones Committee”, wherever it occurs in the Law on Free Zones and Royal decrees on the establishments of free zones of Al Mazyounah, Salalah and Sohar, shall be replaced with the phrase “Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones.

Article (9) states that “the advantages, incentives and exemptions stated in laws and Royal decrees on the Special Economic Zone in Duqm and free zones” shall continue to be awarded until such a time that specific Royal decree is issued on this matter.

Article (10) cancels all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.


ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITYRoyal Decree No 106/2020

establishes the Environment Authority, defines its specialisations and endorses its organisational structure.

Article (1) establishes a public authority to be named “Environment Authority” that shall have legal identity, enjoy financial and administrative independence and report to the Council of Ministers.

Article (2) states that the Environment Authority shall have its headquarters in the Governorate of Muscat and that the board of directors may set up branches for the Authority in other governorates.

Article (3) defines the specialisations of the Environment Authority in accordance with Annex (1) of this decree.

Article (4) endorses the organisational structure of the Environment Authority in accordance with Annex (2) of this decree.

Article (5) states that, without prejudice to the provisions of Royal Decree No 85/2020 on the (public authority for civil aviation) Civil Aviation Authority, the following shall come under the purview of the Environment Authority: all allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs that relate to the environment.

Article (6) states that employees of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs shall be transferred to the Environment Authority — except its employees tasked with climate affairs, along with their existing financial grades, and in accordance with terms to be set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (7) states that the phrase “Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs”, wherever it occurs in laws and Royal decrees of relevance to the environment, shall be replaced with the phrase “Environment Authority”.

It also states that the phrase “Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs”, wherever it occurs in laws and Royal decrees of relevance to the environment, shall be replaced with the phrases “Chairman of Board of Directors of Environment Authority” and “Chairman of the Environment Authority” where applicable.

Article (8) cancels the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, as well as all that contravenes this decree or contradicts with its provisions.


AUTHORITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

Royal Decree No 107/2020 establishes the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, defines its specialisations and endorses its organisational structure.

Article (1) states that a public authority to be named “Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises” shall be established, have legal identity, enjoy financial and administrative independence and report to the Council of Ministers.

Article (2) states that the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises shall have its headquarters in the Governorate of Muscat and that the board of directors may set up branches in other governorates.

Article (3) defines the specialisations of the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises in accordance with Annex (1) of this decree.

Article (4) endorses the organisational structure of the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises in accordance with Annex (2) of this decree.

Article (5) transfers to the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises all the allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises and the Al Raffd Fund, including the capital of the Fund, as well as the annual support sum allocated for the Fund in the State’s General Budget.

Article (6) states that employees of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises and the Al Raffd Fund shall be transferred to the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, along with their existing financial grades.

Article (7) cancels the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, Al Raffd Fund and all that contravenes this decree or contradicts with its provisions.


CANCELLATION OF SOME SPECIALISED COUNCILS

Royal Decree No 108/2020 on the cancellation of some specialised councils.

Article (1) cancels the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and the Education Council.

Article (2) states that the following shall come under the purview of the Council of Ministers: All specialisations, allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and the Education Council related to the devising of policies and follow-up of their implementation.

It also states that the two councils’ executive specialisations shall be transferred to the specialised units of the State’s Administrative Apparatus in accordance with terms to be set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (3) transfers employees of the Secretariat General of the Education Council to each of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, along with their existing financial grades and in accordance with terms to be set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (4) cancels all that contravenes this decree or contradicts with its provisions.


CANCELLATION OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CRAFT INDUSTRIES

Royal Decree No 109/2020 cancels the Public Authority for Craft Industries.

Article (1) states that the following shall come under the purview of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism: All allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets related to heritage at the Public Authority for Craft Industries.

It also transfers from the Public Authority for Craft Industries to the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises all allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets related to the development, training and support of artisans (crafts people).

Article (2) transfers from the Public Authority for Craft Industries to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism the employees tasked with heritage affairs. It also transfers the rest of employees of the Public Authority for Craft Industries to the Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, along with their existing financial grades, and in accordance with terms to be set by the Council of Ministers.

Article (3) cancels the Public Authority for Craft Industries, as well as all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.


CANCELLATION OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR PRIVATISATION AND PARTNERSHIP

Royal Decree No 110/2020 on the cancellation of the Public Authority for Privatization and Partnership.

Article (1) transfers to the Ministry of Finance all allocations, origins, rights, obligations and assets of the Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership, as well as the Authority’s employees, along with their existing financial grades.

Article (2) states that the phrase “Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership”, wherever it occurs in laws and Royal decrees, shall be replaced with the phrase “Ministry of Finance”.

It also replaces the phrases “Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership” and “Chairman of Board of Directors of Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership”, wherever it occurs in laws and Royal decrees, shall be replaced with the phrase “Minister of Finance”.

Article (3) cancels the Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership, as well as all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.


COUNCIL OF MINISTERSRoyal Decree No (111/ 2020) on

Structuring the Council of MinistersArticle (1) structures the Council of

Ministers under the chairmanship of His Majesty the Sultan as follows:

HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers

HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimour al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs

HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham bin Tarik al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court

General Sultan bin Mohammed al Nuamani, Minister of Royal Office

Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal bin Said al Busaidy, Minister of Interior

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Foreign Minister

Sultan bin Salim bin Said al Habsi, Minister of Finance

Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdullah al Salmi, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs

Dr Mohammed bin Hamad bin Saif al Rumhy, Minister of Energy and Minerals

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Obaid al Saeedi, Minister of Health

Dr Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nasser al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education

Sayyid Saud bin Hilal bin Hamad al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat

Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Said al Saeedi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs

Dr Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Harrasi, Minister of Information

Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar

Salim bin Mohammed bin Said al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism

Dr Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources

Dr Khalfan bin Said bin Mubarak al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning

Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim bin Said al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Eng Said bin Hamoud bin Said al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology

Dr Said bin Mohammed bin Ahmed al Saqri, Minister of Economy

Qais bin Mohammed bin Moosa al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion

Laila bint Ahmed bin Awadh al Najar, Minister of Social Development

Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour


APPOINTMENTS Royal Decree No 112/2020 on

appointment to some posts.Article (1) appoints HH Sayyid

Taimour bin Asaad bin Tarik al Said as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Oman with the rank of minister.

Article (2) appoints Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah bin Ali al Khalili as Chairman of the State Council, with his existing rank and financial allocations.

Article (3) appoints Dr Ali bin Masoud bin Ali al Sunaidy as Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, with his existing rank and financial allocations.

Article (4) appoints Dr Khamis bin Saif bin Hamoud al Jabri as Chairman of “Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit”, with his existing rank and financial allocations.

Article (5) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced from its date of issue.

Royal Decree No (113/ 2020) on appointment to some posts.

Article (1) appoints the following officials to the posts indicated along their names:

Saud bin Nasser bin Rashid al Shukaili, Chairman of Tax Authority, with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Eng Ali bin Mohammed bin Zahir al Abri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Water Resources.

Dr Ahmed bin Nasser bin Abdullah al Bakri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Agriculture.

Eng Yaaqoub bin Khalfan bin Khamis al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for Fisheries.

Dr Yahya bin Nasser bin Mansour al Khusaibi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Eng Salim bin Nasser bin Said al Aufi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

Dr Muna bint Salim bin Khalfan al Jardaniyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Vocational Training.

Dr Bakhait bin Ahmed bin Suhail al Mahri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Higher Education.

Dr Saif bin Abdullah bin Sulaiman al Haddabi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation.

Eng Salim bin Mohammed bin Abdullah al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport.

Dr Ali bin Amer bin Ali al Shaithani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology.

Sayyid Salim bin Musallam bin Ali al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development.

Shaikh Nasr bin Amer bin Shuwain al Hosni, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Labour for Labour.

Ali bin Khalfan bin Salim al Jabri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Information for Information.

Mohammed bin Said bin Mohammed al Balushi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Information for Radio and Television.

Rashad bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al Hinai, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth.

Eng Ahmed bin Hassan bin Alawi al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Sayyid Said bin Sultan bin Yaarub al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture.

Dr Nasser bin Rashid bin Abdullah al Maawali, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy.

Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmed bin Rashid al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development.

Dr Saleh bin Said bin Salim Masan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry.

Asila bint Salim bin Sulaiman al Samsamiyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion.

Eng Ibrahim bin Said bin Khalaf al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage.

Maithaa bint Saif bin Majid al Mahrouqiyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism.

Eng Hamad bin Ali bin Sulaiman al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing.

Dr Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al Muttawa, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Urban Planning.

Talal bin Sulaiman bin Habib al Rahbi, Deputy Chairman of “Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow up Unit” with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Khalid bin Ahmed bin Said al Saadi, Secretary General of the State Council with the special grade.

Mohammed bin Sulaiman bin Hamoud al Kindi, Deputy Governor of Muscat with the special grade.

Halima bint Rashid bin Sulaiman al Zeraiyah, Chairperson of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority with the special grade.

Dr Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority with the special grade.

Sayyid Khalifa bin Al Murdas bin Ahmed al Busaidy, Secretary General of Governorates Affairs at the Ministry of Interior with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Shaikh Dr Khalifa bin Hamad bin Hilal al Saadi, Adviser at the Ministry of Interior with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Dr Yahya bin Badr bin Malik al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Shaikh Saif bin Hamyar bin Mohammed al Shehi, Governor of North Al Batinah with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Issa bin Hamad bin Mohammed al Azri, Governor of South Al Batinah with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Shaikh Hilal bin Said bin Hamdan al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Shaikh Meathad bin Mohammed bin Abdullah al Yaaqoubi, Governor of Al Wusta with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Najib bin Ali bin Ahmed al Rowas, Governor of Al Dhahirah with his existing grade and financial allocations.

Shaikh Ali bin Ahmed bin Meshari al Shamsi, Governor of North Al Sharqiyah with the special grade.

Sayyid Dr Hamad bin Ahmed bin Saud al Busaidy, Governor of Al Buraimi with the special grade.

Article (2) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced on its date of issue. — ONA

ROYALDECREESOMANDAILYOBSERVER

W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0 5HIS MAJESTY ISSUES 28 ROYAL DECREES


oman

SAYYID SHIHAB RECEIVES UK AMBASSADOR

MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimour al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, received in his office at Al Murtaf’a Camp on Tuesday Hamish Cowell, Ambassador of the United Kingdom (UK) to the Sultanate, accompanied by the Military Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Muscat. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations between the two friendly countries, besides exchanging viewpoints on matters of mutual interest. — ONA

Council hails Royal directives to establish Job Security FundMUSCAT: The State Council on

Tuesday forwarded to His Majesty

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik the draft

“Amendment of the Income Tax

Law”, with the opinion of the two

councils.

The Council also discussed

the draft law on “value added tax

(VAT)” referred by the Council of

Ministers as a matter of urgency and

the report of the Council’s Economic

Committee about it. After the

discussion, it was decided to return

the draft law to Majlis Ash’shura

to consider the articles subject to

identify any discrepancy between

the two councils on it.

This came during the 10th

ordinary sitting of the first annual

session of the 7th term held by the

Council on Tuesday, chaired by Dr

Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Manthri,

State Council Chairman, in the

presence of the Council members

and the secretary-general of the

Council, along with the participating

members via video conferencing.

At the outset of the sitting, the

Council chairman delivered a speech

welcoming the members, reviewed

the agenda and stressed that the

sitting was devoted to discussing

the draft for the amendment to the

Income Tax Law referred by the

Council of Ministers as a matter of

urgency, the report of the Economic

Committee of the Council on it,

and the draft Value Added Tax Law

(VAT) referred by the Council of

Ministers as a matter of urgency

and the report of the Economic

Committee of the Council on it.

During the sitting, the Council

appreciated the noble directives of

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin

Tarik — may God protect him —

issued to establish the Job Security

Fund and issued a decree approving

its system, working mechanisms and

financing, noting in this regard that

the fund significantly symbolises

social solidarity that characterises

Omani society. He stressed that

the fund will play a tangible role in

identifying practical and effective

solutions for Omanis whose

services have been terminated, and

that it will also contribute later in

helping job-seekers.

The Council also praised the

tireless efforts exerted by the

Supreme Committee in charge

of examining the mechanisms

of dealing with developments

resulting from the spread of the

coronavirus (COVID-19) to address

the pandemic in light of the good

results achieved in implementation

of the generous directives of His

Majesty the Sultan. The Council

wished for further continuation of

adherence by citizens and residents

to the precautionary and preventive

measures in a manner that ensures

efficient tackling of the coronavirus

and prayed to God the Almighty to

protect the country and its people

from all evil and harm.

The Council began its

discussion of the draft for the

“amendment of the Income Tax

Law” with the statement of the

Economic Committee. Shaikh

Mohammed bin Abdullah al

Harthy, Economic Committee

Head, explained that the proposed

amendments to the Income Law

come within the framework of the

Sultanate’s accession to a number

of international agreements on tax

affairs.

Pointing out that joining these

agreements requires establishing

provisions of the internal

legislations that include specifying

the data to be disclosed and the

obligations due and protecting

the confidentiality of data that are

exchanged with the tax authorities

in other countries for the purposes

of implementing the agreements.

Muttrah Souq reopens, set to regain pre-pandemic charmLAKSHMI KOTHANETHMUSCAT, AUG 18

The aroma of spices, fragrance

of the frankincense, sounds of

the footsteps and the hustle and

bustle of shoppers are all going to

be experienced once again as the

Muttrah Souq resumed operations

on Tuesday with all possible safety

precautions in place to control the

spread of the coronavirus.

One of the renowned

traditional markets in the world,

it had to down the shutters to

combat COVID-19, and as the

Supreme Committee announced

opening of Muttrah there were

sighs of relief and delight amongst

the general public, the employees

and shop owners in Muttrah.

They had not just dealt with the

fear of virus but also experienced

the void with lack of job and

income as well as business for the

owners. The COVID-19 impact

had hit Muttrah directly.

“We are excited and more than

happy, as we have been waiting

for this for months. I don’t think

Muttrah Souq had ever been shut

for this long. First of all, as we

head back to market, we have to

be very careful. Everyone has to

take all safety measures like masks

and gloves. Secondly, the streets of

Muttrah will be back in action. I

believe the shopkeepers are ready

for the opening. It is a moment

to celebrate!” said Murtada al

Lawati, born and brought up in

Muttrah.

He reflected, “Muttrah is my

life, I was born here and I think

everyone who has been to Muttrah

knows it is fascinating because it is

not like any other town. Muttrah

has seen many events and is life

of Oman as it is one of the oldest

markets in the region. In other

parts of the Gulf they called it the

shaded market. There are only

few shaded markets in the region.

Muttrah has seen the start of the

many business houses you see

today, which are prominent.”

The natural harbour ensured

a thriving business throughout

its history and the seventies saw

the prominence grow further

with the establishment of Port

Sultan Qaboos. The millennium

saw Muttrah’s role as tourism

destination, which became an

attraction for the cruise ships.

After staying still for more than

five months, Muttrah is ready to

buzz again.

“As a child, I remember that

behind the police station there was

a traditional market where people

used to bring toys for children. I

remember coming back from the

school, which was also in Muttrah,

we would see the toys and run

home to convince our father to

buy for us. This is during the late

70s. I also remember hunting

for the kimas, Omani caps, and

mussars. The selection would be

limited and the best would cost

around the RO 100, if you bought

the ones lesser than RO 50, they

were not considered very nice.

“We knew the dealers and they

would keep them for us. If you

were to buy the cheaper ones,

then one could tell the quality

difference. Now we have a vast

collection of good designs and

qualities with varying range of

prices,” Murtada explained.

Transfer of expat staff within same group allowedVINOD NAIRMUSCAT, AUG 18

Employers in the private sector will

now be able to assign their expatri-

ate staff to work in establishments

registered under the same company

as per certain conditions, said the

Ministry of Labour.

Some of the conditions put for-

ward by the ministry are that the

establishments must be operating in

the tourism sector.

Establishments must be owned

by the same employer or partners.

The delegated expatriate must

practice the same licensed pro-

fession or work and the estab-

lishment must have achieved its

Omanisation target.

The period of this assignment

must not exceed three months at

a time and not in professions that

have been banned for expatriates or

set aside for Omanis.

This initiative suggested by the

Implementation Support and Fol-

low-up Unit (Tanfeedh) is aimed

at enhancing the flexibility of the

non-Omani workforce movement

among establishments registered

under the same entity.

It also aims to allow the recruit-

ment of a non-Omani workforce

with temporary licences in some

specialised professions.

The ISFU has been making ef-

forts to find a long-term solution to

this issue by granting expatriates the

freedom of movement, which will

also help companies to employ ad-

ditional workforce.

MUSCAT: The total number of

COVID-19 positive cases in the

Sultanate has reached 83,418,

while the number of recoveries

stood at 77,797, comprising 93.5

per cent.

The Ministry of Health

reported 192 new cases and

9 deaths due to COVID-19

on Tuesday, bringing the total

number of deaths to 597.

The ministry pointed out that

55 cases were hospitalised over the

past 24 hours, adding that the total

number of COVID-19 patients

currently in hospital stood at 457,

of whom 154 are in intensive care

units (ICU). — ONA

192 new COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths

Don’t share wrong informationKABEER YOUSUFMUSCAT, AUG 18As the country is on the path to

recovery with the opening of new

sectors and allowing residents

to fly in, the Royal Oman Police

(ROP) has asked both citizens

and residents not to share wrong

information on social media.

Earlier, the Supreme Ministerial

Committee on COVID-19 had

instructed people to refrain from

circulating false messages and

wrong information related to the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“All citizens and residents

in the Sultanate of Oman are

requested not to circulate wrong

information and follow the official

social media guidelines and act

accordingly,” a statement from the

committee had said.

This comes in the wake of

the recent version on a social

media platform that besides the

permission letter from Oman’s

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(MoFA), a letter from the ROP is

also mandatory for residents to

enter the country.

“We request both citizens

and residents not to share any

unfounded information. This act

can attract legal action,” a source

at the ROP told the Observer.

Those who hold a valid Omani

resident card but are stuck outside

Oman can return to the Sultanate

if they have secured consent from

the MoFA. This permission can

be had if the person’s sponsor or

company where he is working

requests the MoFA with all valid

documents on consular@mofa.

gov.om.

During the outbreak of the

COVID-19, social media has

been abuzz with several false

information even about a virus,

were fast transmitted from person

to person on social media.

A WHO statement had

mentioned such spread of

misinformation, lies and rumours

about the new virus on various

social media is nothing but

‘infodemic’ that misguides the

public and feeds them with

negativity.

“Please follow the official media

and news channels for authentic

information and please don’t go

by any forwarded message and

take no step before confirming

with the relevant authority,” adds

the ROP official.

We request both citizens and residents not to share any unfounded information. This act can attract legal action

ROP OFFICIAL

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0 7

world

ROADS AFTER MONSOON

People walk through a road filled with potholes after heavy monsoon rains in Mumbai on Tuesday. — AFP

More than dozen US states to sue White House over postal cutsWASHINGTON: More than a

dozen states as early as this week

are expected to sue the Trump

administration over cuts at the

United States Postal Service they

say could delay mail-in ballots in

the November elections, Maryland

Attorney General Brian Frosh said.

Frosh said anywhere between 15

to 20 Democratic attorneys general

are reviewing legal arguments, and

he expects that the states involved

will join in one, or possibly several,

lawsuits.

“We are talking with other AG

offices and expecting to take action

soon,” Frosh said.

Republican Trump, who is

trailing presumptive Democratic

nominee Joe Biden in opinion

polls, said last week he was against

Democratic efforts to include funds

for the Postal Service and election

infrastructure in coronavirus relief

legislation because he wanted to

limit mail-in voting during the

pandemic. Twice as many people

could vote by mail as did so in 2016

because of the pandemic, according

to some estimates.

Democrats have cited reductions

in overtime, restrictions on extra

mail transportation trips and new

mail sorting and delivery policies as

changes that threaten to slow mail

delivery of ballots and other critical

mail such as medicines.

Trump on Monday denied that

he was attempting to undermine

the Postal Service’s ability to handle

mail-in ballots.

“No, we’re not tampering,”

Trump said in an interview with

Fox News. “We want to make it

run for less money, much better,

always taking care of our postal

workers.” Ohio Attorney General

Dave Yost, a Republican, has asked

Trump to postpone the operational

changes until after the November

3 elections. The post office is a

“perennial drain on the Treasury”,

he said in a letter. “But making the

radical changes only weeks before

early voting begins - however fiscally

well founded - would place the

solvency of the Post Office above the

legitimacy of the government itself.”

It’s unclear whether Yost would join

any legal action.

Frosh said that in Maryland,

the service has pulled six sorting

machines. — Reuters

Supporters of the US President Trump wave flags in Mankato as he delivers remarks on jobs and the economy. — AFP

Michelle makes rousing call to dump Trump

MILWAUKEE: US Democrats

opened their nominating

convention with a show of unity

behind Joe Biden and former first

lady Michelle Obama delivering a

scathing rebuke of Donald Trump as

she urged voters to reject his politics

of ‘division’. “Donald Trump is the

wrong president for our country,”

Barack Obama’s wife said in a

keynote speech on the first night of

a convention that has shifted entirely

online due to the coronavirus

pandemic.

“Whenever we look to this

White House for some leadership,

or consolation, or any semblance

of steadiness, what we get instead

is chaos, division and a total and

utter lack of empathy.” The pre-taped

remarks came as unprecedented

criticism by a former first lady of a

sitting US president, painting him

as a man who lacks the competence,

character or decency for the job.

It was a potent message for voters

who tuned in unsure of what to

expect from a virtual convention that

lacked the showstopping pizzazz and

stagecraft of a live event.

With the Democratic Party poised

to officially anoint the 77-year-old

Biden as its nominee, Trump defied

coronavirus concerns and staged

a competing event in Wisconsin,

the state where Democrats were

supposed to hold their in-person

convention.

The carefully choreographed

opening for the four-day unifying

gathering featured actress Eva

Longoria as convention moderator.

“Every four years we come

together to reaffirm our democracy,”

she said. “This year we’ve come

to save it.” Dozens of speakers,

including a host of Republicans

opposed to Trump, offered a similar

message.

In a poignant moment, everyday

American Kristine Urquiza

described how her father died

from coronavirus after going out

with friends when he believed the

pandemic was not serious. “His only

pre-existing condition was trusting

Donald Trump, and for that he paid

with his life,” Urquiza said.

TRUTH AND TRUST

Obama also took pains to

describe Biden as a “terrific vice

president” she grew to know well

during the eight years he served as

her husband’s number two.

“He knows what it takes to rescue

an economy, beat back a pandemic

and lead our country,” she added.

Biden “will tell the truth, and trust

science,” she said in a jab at Trump,

who has been accused of repeatedly

ignoring the advice of his scientific

advisors on how to respond to the

pandemic.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders,

who challenged Biden for the

nomination from the progressive

left, also addressed the convention

by video link, and warned that

Trump is “leading us down the path

of authoritarianism”. “The future

of our democracy is at stake,” and

electing Biden over Trump is an

absolute necessity, he stressed.

“My friends, the price of failure is

just too great to imagine.”

‘CRAZY SOCIALIST POLICIES’

Trump flew on Air Force One

meanwhile to Oshkosh, Wisconsin

and delivered remarks to supporters

gathered on the airport tarmac.

He accused Biden and his running

mate Kamala Harris of seeking to

enact “crazy socialist policies” and

warned the 2020 election will be “the

most dangerous” ever.

“The only way we’re going to

lose this election is if the election is

rigged,” added the president, who

trails Biden in nearly all national

polls as well as multiple battleground

states.

The Democratic convention

is taking place amid a furor over

Trump’s own efforts to limit mail-in

voting.

Insisting without proof that it

fosters fraud, Trump has threatened

to block extra funding that

Democrats say is urgently needed

to allow the US Postal Service to

process millions of ballots.

Obama addressed the controversy

in her remarks, warning that Trump

and Republicans were “lying

about the security of our ballots.”

Oshkosh, where Trump spoke, is

about a 90-minute drive north of the

Milwaukee arena where Democrats

had intended to gather in a sign of

eagerness to win back Wisconsin,

one of multiple Democratic

strongholds which flipped to Trump

in 2016.

But the coronavirus pandemic,

which has killed some 170,000

people in the United States, upended

election campaigning. — AFP

Former first lady Michelle Obama speak during the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, being held virtually amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, in Los Angeles. — AFP

G20 urged to fund schools to avoid lost ‘COVID generation’LONDON: Scores of former

national leaders, health experts

and scholars called on Tuesday for

G20 nations to address a crisis in

education that could create a lost

“COVID generation” of millions of

children.

The former leaders urged the G20

to take urgent action over the “global

education emergency” triggered by

the coronavirus pandemic.

“With over 1 billion children

still out of school because of the

lockdown, there is now a real and

present danger that the public

health crisis will create a COVID

generation who lose out on

schooling and whose opportunities

are permanently damaged,” they

wrote in an open letter.

They said many of the world’s

poorest children had been “locked

out of learning,” denied Internet

access and lost the vital benefit of

free school meals.

The 275 signatories included

former British prime ministers

Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John

Major; former German president

Horst Koehler; and former UN

secretary general Ban Ki-moon.

They highlighted the plight

of an estimated 30 million of the

world’s poorest children who may

never return to school, according to

Unesco.

“Many of these children are

adolescent girls for whom being in

school is the best defence against

forced marriage and the best hope

for a life of expanded opportunity,”

they wrote.

They cited a World Bank estimate

that education spending in low and

middle-income nations could fall by

up to $150 billion over the next year.

The bank forecast that the long-term

cost of ending children’s schooling

could reach 10 trillion dollars in lost

productive output. — dpaA teacher speaks to pre-school children during a class in a public school in Montevideo, amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. — AFP

With over 1 billion children still out of school because of the lockdown, there is now a real and present danger that the public health crisis will create a COVID generation who lose out on schooling

SAFE ALTERNATIVE: Democrats show unity on first night of virtual convention, give Joe Biden glowing reviews


world

France to make masks compulsory at work

PARIS: France is preparing to

make face masks compulsory in the

workplace, the government said on

Tuesday as it moved to add open-

plan work areas to a growing list of

places where people have to cover up

to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

By the time people in France

return to work after the August

summer holidays, masks will be

a “systematic” addition to indoor

work spaces, including meeting

rooms, corridors, change rooms and

open-plan offices, Labour Minister

Elisabeth Borne said on Tuesday.

Borne met labour and business

representatives to discuss the new

measure, which she said was based

on the advice of the government’s

public health council.

It took into account a growing

scientific consensus that the

coronavirus is transmitted not only in

large drops projected when a person

coughs or sneezes, but also in smaller

ones that can remain suspended in

air breathed out by infected people,

she said.

France has already made mask-

wearing obligatory on public

transport and in enclosed shared

public spaces such as shops and

government offices, but has left their

use in offices to the discretion of

employers until now.

This was criticised in an open

letter by a group of medical experts

published in the newspaper

Liberation, comparing the virus

accumulating in the air of enclosed

rooms to “cigarette smoke”.

“And the more the virus

accumulates in the air — either

because of a long exposure time or

because of a large number of excreters

— the more we risk contamination,”

they said.

The experts urged the government

to make masks compulsory in

all confined spaces, offices and

classrooms and to “unambiguously

encourage” remote working.

Many French towns and cities,

including Paris, have been using

discretionary powers to make masks

compulsory outdoors as well, mainly

at food markets, in busy streets and

around tourist hotspots.

Borne said the government will

continue recommending telework

for people in areas with active virus

circulation. The coronavirus outbreak

has claimed more than 30,400 lives in

France so far.

Since a two-month lockdown

ended in May, new infections have

been increasing in recent days and

the numbers of people admitted to

hospital and to intensive care have

been rising as well. — AFP

Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk in a congested street market of Lourges, southern France, on Tuesday. — AFP

US citizens lose $1m in hand sanitiser scamHANOI: More than 7,000 US

citizens have been swindled by a

group of Vietnamese tricksters in

a hand sanitiser wire fraud scheme,

which saw online shoppers pay

a combined total of just under

$1 million, the US consulate in

Vietnam said on Tuesday.

Three Vietnamese suspects

have been arrested following a

collaborative investigation between

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public

Security and the US Department

of Homeland Security, according

to a statement released by the US

Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh

City.

“The arrest of multiple suspects

by Vietnam’s Ministry of Public

Security clearly demonstrates

Vietnam’s government takes

COVID-19 related crimes

seriously. This investigation

resulted in significant financial

losses to people who were already

facing enormous challenges due

to the COVID-19 pandemic,” US

Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J

Kritenbrink said in a statement.

The three Vietnamese men

— Phan Dinh Thu, Tran Quoc

Khanh and Nguyen Duy Toan —

reportedly engaged in a scheme

selling hand sanitiser to citizens

across all 50 states, according to

court papers filed in the US on

August 3.

The trio allegedly set up over 300

websites, which they used to profit

from the pandemic by selling hand

sanitiser and disinfectant wipes —

products that never reached the

US. They also reportedly setup

hundreds of fake email accounts to

try and keep their hands clean.

US investigators uncovered

almost 40,000 transactions worth a

combined total of around $975,000,

according to local media reports.

As of Tuesday, Vietnam has

recorded 25 deaths related to

COVID-19. In the US, that figure

has climbed over 170,000. — dpa

IN BRIEF

South Korea bans religious services in churches

German Institute launches basic income pilot

SEOUL: South Korea has banned religious services in churches in Seoul and the surrounding area due to rising numbers of coronavirus infections, Prime Minister Chung Sye Kyun announced on Tuesday.

As cases among churchgoers have increased, religious services are to be streamed online. The authorities have already imposed tighter contact restrictions in Seoul and the nearby province of Gyeonggi.

The rising numbers triggered “a chain of infections in churches, workplaces and hospitals,” Chung said.

In a cluster at the Sarang Jeil church in northern Seoul, 138 new infections were reported, bringing the total there to 457 known cases, according to the health authorities.

Authorities also announced a general ban on gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 people outdoors.

Countrywide, the health authorities reported 246 new cases in South Korea on Monday, taking the total number of confirmed active cases to 15,700. — dpa

BERLIN: A project billed as Germany’s first-ever long-term study into a universal basic income was launched on Tuesday by economists and activists in Berlin.

People can sign up to take part in the study, which will pay out 1,433 euros ($1,711) per month to 120 people over a period of three years, the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) said.

It is conducting the pilot project together with the association Mein Grundeinkommen (My Basic Income) and researchers from the Max Planck Institute and the University of Cologne.

The recipients are set to begin receiving their unconditional handouts, funded by private donations, from spring next year.

“We want to know what it does to behaviour and attitudes and whether a basic income can help to deal with the current challenges in our society,” said Michael Bohmeyer, initiator of the Mein Grundeinkommen initiative.

On presenting the project, Juergen Schupp of the DIW noted that while there have already been studies worldwide on the radical proposal, their results have been limited.

“They are either outdated, not generalizable or study basic income only for the unemployed. In this regard, we are really breaking new scientific ground in Germany with this study,” he said. — dpa

HELSINKI: Finnish Prime

M i n i s t e r S a n n a M a r i n

said on Tuesday she was

to undergo a coronavirus

test and work remotely after

experiencing mild respiratory

symptoms.

The 34-year-old

prime minister made the

announcement on Twitter.

In April, she also briefly

self-isolated after an employee

at her official residence was

discovered to have been in

contact with someone infected

with the virus. Subsequent tests

showed that neither Marin nor

the employee had the virus.

Her schedule on Tuesday

included a session with

parliamentary members of her

Social Democratic party and

talks with the Cabinet via video

conference.

The government was

expected to discuss a possible

suspension of flights to and

from North Macedonia due to

a high number of coronavirus

cases among passengers arriving

from the Balkan country.

Finland had by Monday

recorded 334 coronavirus-

related deaths and about

7,700 infections. — dpa

Finnish PM Sanna to self-isolate

CORONAVIRUS: Working from home to reduce the risk of infection recommended

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0 9

analysis

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of the Observer.

SOPHIE WINGATE AND SHABTAI GOLD

he Democratic National Convention kicked off on Monday, seeking

to present the party as the direct opposite of President Donald Trump,

and its candidate, Joe Biden, as the leader who can steer the country

out of the pandemic and economic downturn.

The opening night of the four-day convention of the centre-left

party took place mostly-online, as a health precaution, and was capped

by a keynote speech from former first lady Michelle Obama.

Her address focused on the theme of empathy, amid a high death

toll from the coronavirus, elevated unemployment and a summer that

was filled with protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

“Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or

consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is

chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy,” Obama said.

“Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country... He is

clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment,” she said.

“If you think things cannot possibly get worse, they can and they

will if we don’t make change in this election,” Obama said. “If we have

any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like

our lives depend on it.”

The imagery and choice of speakers - many of whom were middle

class supporters of the party of various ethnicities - appeared designed

to highlight a message of embracing diversity.

George Floyd, whose death in police custody in Minnesota sparked

nationwide protests under the Black Lives Matter banner in late May,

was mentioned several times.

His brother, Philonise Floyd, led the convention in a moment of

silence after listing the names of others who have lost their lives to

law enforcement. Trump was repeatedly blamed for making the health

crisis worse and for trying to capitalise on fault lines in society.

“Only a strong body can fight off the virus, and America’s divisions

weakened it. Donald Trump didn’t create the initial division. The

division created Trump - he only made it worse,” New York Governor

Andrew Cuomo said.

The event also saw political diversity, as several Republican crossed

party lines to endorse Biden.

Among them were two former Republican governors, Christine

Todd Whitman of New Jersey, and John Kasich of Ohio, who ran in

the Republican presidential primary in 2016.

The conservatives shared the virtual stage with Bernie Sanders, the

left-wing stalwart and senator from Vermont who came in second to

Biden in the 2020 primary.

Sanders urged his loyalists to back Biden, despite differences, saying

the Democratic ticket was the best path forward for the left. He noting

that key progressive policy issues, such as health care reform, were

moving to the party’s mainstream. — dpa

Democrats stress empathy, unity and diversity

Virus speeds up push for change in citiesRINA CHANDRAN

he coronavirus outbreak gives city

authorities an opportunity to implement

congestion pricing to curb traffic and

pollution, urban experts said, even as the

pandemic has forced Singapore to put its

new satellite-based system on hold.

Congestion pricing, which charges

private vehicles entering the city’s busiest

areas, was first introduced in Singapore in

1975.

London, Milan, Oslo and Stockholm

are among the cities that also have a

charge, with New York City planning to

introduce one from 2021. Dozens of other

cities have signalled interest.

“There’s enough evidence that it is

effective in curbing traffic, but it has been

slow to take off because it is politically

challenging to implement,” said Marion

Terrill, director of the transport and cities

programme at the Grattan Institute think

thank in Melbourne.

“The case is strong now in the light of

COVID-19. Cities are repurposing their

streets, and people don’t feel safe in public

transit, so if governments do nothing to

manage traffic, it would be a disaster,” she

told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Drivers spent more time stuck in traffic

in 2019 than in previous years, losing

hundreds of hours due to congestion

that costs countries billions of dollars,

according to a study by transportation

analytics firm INRIX Inc.

Congestion pricing - including

variably priced lanes, tolls, and cordon

charges - can limit private car use, shift

more users to public transit, reduce air

pollution and bring in revenue.

But those opposed say it is expensive to

install, difficult to enforce beyond a small

area, and that such a charge would force

businesses to flee from the city centre.

“If it were such a great solution, why

have so few cities implemented it? It is

simply not feasible for technical, political

and economic reasons,” said Dinesh

Mohan, an honourary professor at the

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

“It is possible to reduce congestion

through better street design and better

traffic management, yet we keep floating

congestion charge as the only solution,

and that keeps us from thinking about

other solutions,” he said.

During lockdowns to contain the

pandemic, city authorities worldwide

added more bicycle lanes, barred traffic

from some streets and allocated more

space for walking.

But with ride-hailing and delivery

services already having increased gridlock

in cities, and the growth of autonomous

vehicles seen as exacerbating the problem,

congestion pricing is a way to manage

traffic better, said Terrill.

“Just the pure weight of urbanisation

makes it necessary, as you cannot keep

building roads,” she said.

“The world has changed, and the

timing is right for congestion pricing as

a way to nudge people to consider other

options than their car,” she said.

Singapore will be the first city to switch

to a GPS-based pricing system that will

provide more flexibility, with charges

based on distance travelled, authorities

have said.

It would also do away with 70-odd

gantries which are more than two decades

old, and take up precious land in the

space-starved city, according to the Land

Transport Authority (LTA).

There would be an 18-month

switchover period, with the new system

implemented progressively from 2020,

and the government will bear the one-

time cost of replacing in-vehicle units.

The timeline is now uncertain.

“LTA is assessing the impact of

COVID-19 on the implementation

timeline for the new Electronic Road

Pricing system and will provide an update

in due course,” an LTA spokeswoman said.

In response to concerns about surveillance

from the GPS system, the spokeswoman

said that data will be anonymised.

“Safeguarding motorists’ privacy is

a critical area of focus of the new ERP

system. The new system will also have

robust security and controls ... that help to

protect data privacy.”

While surveillance is a concern,

a satellite-based system is the most

“desirable” for big cities, said Terrill.

“A cordon charge around the Central

Business District is very effective, but

there is also a lot of congestion outside the

CBD,” she said.

“But with a satellite-based system,

the information the government would

have on you would be quite considerate,

and it could be used for other purposes.

It has the potential to be misused for

surveillance,” she added.

In Sydney, an independent committee

had recommended a cordon charge. Such

a charge would increase speeds across

Sydney and Melbourne road networks

by about 1 per cent and bring in modest

revenue, according to research by the

Grattan Institute.

That is a more viable alternative to

proposed motorways that are forecast to

increase network speeds by up to 3 per

cent and cost about $17 billion each, the

research published last year showed.

— Reuters

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili

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There is no fast way back to normal

A

T

T

lmost all businesses, souqs and offices

have opened and roads have swelled

with vehicles. Yet, all these do not mean

that life is returning to pre-pandemic

normality. And there is now no way left

to ensure zero risk of infection from the

coronavirus.

Easing the lockdown does not mean

that people are getting more freedom to

engage in social and economic activities.

Instead they must take good care to

keep a safe distance from others. And

with the extra freedom comes risk as

people suddenly get more opportunities

to get close to others.

So it is high time people understand

about the potential perils and refrain

from gatherings and adopt all types

of preventive measures to protect

themselves from the contagion.

The more freedom people get to

socialise, the more likely they will do

so. This means social distancing which

has been the key tool in combating

the spread of the pandemic will not be

followed as strictly as before. During

the lockdown, people had very limited

freedom to meet friends and relatives,

and that kept them safely apart.

But now after the lifting of the

lockdown people are leaving their

homes along with the elderly and

children for shopping. There are also

other groups who roam around like

how it was before the outbreak of the

pandemic. Some even don’t realise that

it’s in everyone’s interest to keep social

or physical distancing.

My personal experience at a

hypermarket last evening drives home

the point that it is hard to convince some

people, who are averse to solutions, to

change their behaviour. Whether it is

at the food court or vegetable counter,

they come physically very close while

choosing their items. Adding fuel to fire

is the ‘easy-going’ by the management

on the mandatory thermal scanning or

use of sanitisers etc.

Are people still underrating the

gravity of the pandemic or mistrust the

fatality numbers? Or people will simply

not follow the measure, no matter how

many loving or serious appeals you

make to them?

A recent study in the United

Kingdom found different variables

having significant impact on people

for not complying with the measures

against COVID-19.

“We found that compliance was

higher when people were practically

able to follow the measures and could

work from home and stay away from

others. On the other hand, we found

that there was a significant relationship

between people’s opportunity to meet

people outside of their own household

and their likelihood of violating the

social distancing measures,” the authors

of the study say.

The survey did show that people’s

intrinsic motivation played an

important role in their compliance.

If people felt a greater general duty to

obey the law, they were more likely to

comply. So it is crucial that authorities

do all they can to maintain such sense

of civic obedience.

Health experts caution that life will

not return to normal just yet. Relaxing

lockdown means we will come into

contact with more people and that

increases the opportunity for the virus

to spread.

Hans Kluge, the director for the

World Health Organization’s European

region, at a press conference recently

said. “It is imperative that we do not let

down our guard. There is no fast way

back to normal.”

We all wish we could return to

normal. The easing of restrictions helps

us return to work, go for shopping at

ease and most importantly, it leads to

the path of economic recovery and

social healing.

But do not forget that it is a path

filled with extra behavioural challenges

and risks.

SAMUEL [email protected]

OMANDAILYOBSERVER10nba/golf

W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0

Herman hits peak form for win at WyndhamNEW YORK: Jim Herman capped off

a superb weekend of play with a win

at the Wyndham Championship

on Sunday, shooting a seven-

under par 63 in the final round of

the Greensboro, North Carolina,

tournament.

Herman, who started the day tied

for fifth after carding a nine-under

61 in Saturday’s action, kept his hot

streak going at Sedgefield Country

Club, firing two birdies and an eagle

in the first five holes of the final

round.

“Obviously you don’t expect 61 or

63 on a regular basis, but when you

need it, there was nowhere else to go

but deep,” said Herman, as he picked

up his third PGA Tour win in a little

over four years. “Best golf I’ve played

in my life obviously.”

Runner-up Billy Horschel, who

carded a five-under par 65, saw

victory slip through his fingers

after bogeying on 16 and missing a

birdie putt on 17, ultimately sparing

Herman from a playoff after a

near-miss putt for birdie

on 18.

“I thought if I just

played it just outside

right edge a ball, ball

and a half, hit it with

- kept the speed up on

it, I thought it would make it in,”

said Horschel. “It was disappointing

because I had two good looks the last

couple holes and just wasn’t able to

convert.”

The 42-year-old Herman, who

didn’t pick up his first PGA win until

he was 38, said “you’ve got to play like

everything’s on the line” on the Tour.

“Outside of a few wins by the old

guys in their 40s, it’s a young man’s

game, so it’s nice to compete and

show you can do it,” he said.

Kim Si-woo, the leader heading

into the final round after sinking a

hole in one on Saturday, finished tied

for third at 18-under after carding an

even-par 70, along with Americans

Kevin Kisner (64), Doc Redman (68)

and 2012 US Open champ Webb

Simpson (65).

The Wyndham Championship

was the final event of the PGA Tour’s

novel coronavirus-hit regular season.

— Reuters

Jim Herman hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Wyndham Championship. — USA Today Sports

NUGGETS OVERCOME MITCHELL’S 57 POINTS TO EDGE JAZZ IN OT

Clippers rally past MavsLOS ANGELES: Kawhi Leonard

scored 29 points and had 12 rebounds

and Paul George tallied 27 points as

the Los Angeles Clippers held on to

beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-110

in the opening game of their play-off

series.

“This is my tenth year in the

league and I still get butterflies,” said

George. “It took the second half for

me to get going but I understood just

to let the game flow.”

Dallas’s 21-year-old star Luka

Doncic scored a game high 40

points to become the first player in

NBA history to record a 40-point

performance in his play-off debut.

“He is the future,” George of

Doncic, who also had nine assists and

seven rebounds. “We didn’t expect to

stop him but we wanted to wear him

down as much as possible.”

Marcus Morris had 19 points for

the Clippers, who will try to go up

2-0 in game two of the best-of-seven

series on Wednesday.

Dallas had to play much of the

second half without star player

Kristaps Porzingis after he was

ejected while trying to intervene

in a skirmish between his team-

mate Doncic and Clippers Morris.

Porzingis, who argued the ejection,

appeared to give Morris a light

push in the chest. It was his second

technical of the contest.

The Mavericks were leading the

series opener 71-66 at the time of the

ejection. Porzingis had 14 points and

six rebounds in 20 minutes.

MURRAY SHINES

Also, Jamal Murray scored 36

points, including 10 in overtime,

as the Denver Nuggets overcame

a 57-point performance from

Donovan Mitchell to defeat the Utah

Jazz 135-125 in their first round play-

off series.

Nikola Jokic finished with 29

points and 10 rebounds for Denver,

who were taken to overtime by the

Jazz for the second-straight contest.

“I’m smiling because those are the

games you want to be in,” Murray

said. “Those are the games that are

the most fun and most competitive.”

Jokic had a chance to ice the

victory in regulation, but his hook

shot at the buzzer over Utah’s Rudy

Gobert failed to drop.

Murray seized command in

overtime, clinching the outcome with

a three-point dagger with 46 seconds

on the clock to give the Nuggets a 1-0

lead in their series.

Mitchell has a habit of saving his

best for the Nuggets, but it wasn’t

enough as he was 13-of-13 from the

free throw line in scoring a franchise

play-off record 57 points.

The previous franchise record for

most points in a play-off game was

50 by Karl Malone in 2000. Mitchell’s

total was also the third-highest

scoring game in NBA play-off history.

The teams met four times in the

regular season. The last time was

August 8, when Mitchell had another

huge game, but the Jazz lost that

one as well in double overtime. The

Nuggets have now won all five games

against the Jazz this season.

This is the fifth time the teams

have met in the play-offs, and the

Jazz have won three of those previous

play-off series, most recently a 4-2

win in the first round of the 2010

play-offs.

The Jazz were eliminated in the

first round by Houston in 2019, but

reached the Western Conference

semi-finals the previous two play-

offs.

Also, Fred VanVleet scored

30 points as the defending NBA

champion Toronto Raptors defeated

the Brooklyn Nets 134-110 in the

opening game of their first-round

series.

Jayson Tatum scored a play-off-

career-high 32 points, Jaylen Brown

added 29 and the Boston Celtics beat

the Philadelphia 76ers 109-101 in the

opener of their series.

Celtics forward Gordon Hayward

left the game late in the fourth with

an ankle injury. — AFP

LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Denver Nuggets’ Paul Millsap (4) and Jamal Murray (27). — USA Today Sports

MUSCAT: The Oman Reds, the Official Liverpool FC Supporters Club of Oman, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 2020/2021 season on August 12. As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 it was conducted via Zoom.

The meeting was chaired by Nabil al Busaidi, Oman Reds Chairman, and attended by the committee and the members of the supporters club.

The committee members voted in for the 2020-21 season are Nabil al Busaidi as chairman, Adam al Jabri as secretary and Paul Winn as treasurer and they are working on many exciting initiatives for the Oman Reds for the coming season. It is free to join the Official Liverpool Supporters Club in Oman and fans can message the committee through ‘Oman Reds’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

The Sultanate’s oldest official football supporters club has gone from strength to strength since starting with just two friends meeting

at a house to watch the games and has now expanded to over 600 members, has English and Arabic sections, and has meetings in two different venues on match days.

The Oman Reds do not only gather to watch games together. They also have five-a-side games together and in previous year’s fans travelled to Liverpool and played on the pitch at Anfield against other international supporters clubs. Members can also get access to match day tickets and the supporters club has got tickets to various matches for the members throughout the past seasons. Oman Reds members also get to go to Anfield for a black tie dinner with LFC legends every year. They also conduct many charity initiatives in the country.

The group has also hosted ex LFC players in Muscat such as Alan Kennedy, who scored the winning goals in two European cup finals and Gary McAllister who scored an unforgettable goal against Everton in the Merseyside derby vs Everton.

Oman Liverpool supporters club holds AGM

(SERIES BEST OF SEVEN)Denver bt Utah ............................................ 135-125(Denver lead 1-0)Toronto bt Brooklyn ..................................... 134-110(Toronto lead 1-0)Boston bt Philadelphia ................................ 109-101(Boston lead 1-0)LA Clippers bt Dallas .................................... 118-110(Los Angeles lead 1-0)

NBA PLAY-OFF RESULTS

SOUTHAMPTON: England must tour Pakistan

in 2022 reciprocating the visit of Azhar Ali and

his men despite the coronavirus pandemic,

Pakistan pace great Wasim Akram said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board chief

executive Tom Harrison has thanked West Indies

and Pakistan for touring England amid the

pandemic this summer, sparing the ECB massive

financial loss.

Akram said England should return the favour

in 2022. “You boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the

country, a lot, with the boys coming over here,”

former Pakistan captain Akram told Sky Sports Cricket.

“They’ve been here almost two-and-half

months in the bio-secure environment,” he

said, referring to precautions that have included

zones off-limits to anyone other than players

and officials. Matches have been played without

spectators.

“So if everything goes well, England should

tour Pakistan,” said Akram, arguably the greatest

left-arm pacer.

“I promise you they’ll get looked after on and

off the field there and every game will be a packed

house.”

Top teams have declined to tour Pakistan

since a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lanka team

bus in the city of Lahore.

England last toured Pakistan in 2005-6 but

Akram was hopeful the participation of English

players in Pakistan’s franchise-based Twenty20

competition would help allay England’s safety

concerns.

“The English players were there for the

Pakistan Super League in our team, Karachi

Kings - Alex Hales and Chris Jordan,” Akram,

bowling coach of the franchise, said.

“They loved it, they enjoyed it, they got looked

after beautifully, so the PSL is a step in the right

direction.” — Reuters

OMANDAILYOBSERVER 11cricket


NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League on

Tuesday named Indian fantasy gaming company

Dream11 as its lead sponsor, replacing China’s

Vivo which was dumped following a deadly

border clash between the countries in June.

IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said that the four-

month deal for sponsoring the glitzy Twenty20

cricket tournament was

worth almost $30 million.

Dream11, which beat

separate bids from local

online educational firms

Byju’s and Unacademy, was

already among the IPL’s

minor sponsors.

Consumer electronics

giant Vivo originally paid

$330 million for a five-year

deal up to 2022, equating to

around $66m each season.

The IPL suspended that

deal earlier this month

amid growing anti-China

sentiment following a border clash on June 15 in

the Himalayas that killed 20 Indian soldiers.

According to a revenue-sharing agreement

between the Board of Control for Cricket in India

(BCCI) and IPL franchise owners, the teams earn

50 per cent of the income from the central rights.

This year, each of the eight franchises would

get around $2 million from the title sponsor deal

as opposed to $4 million they got every season

since Vivo signed up.

The Indian government has already banned

dozens of Chinese smartphone apps — including

the popular video-sharing platform TikTok

— and also taken other

measures to restrict trade

with China.

Dream11 is part-

owned by China’s Tencent,

according to the Mumbai-

based firm’s website.

The Times of India daily

cited the BCCI as saying

that Tencent’s investment

in Dream11 is “negligible”

and “can be resolved

internally”.

This year’s IPL is

not being held in India

because of the coronavirus

epidemic. It is due to start in the United Arab

Emirates on September 19.

The T20 league is a huge revenue earner for

BCCI and before the coronavirus pandemic was

estimated to generate more than $11 billion for

the Indian economy. — AFP

SOUTHAMPTON: Nasser Hussain has

called on cricket to adopt a new “mindset”

after bad light blighted the drawn second

Test between England and Pakistan at

Southampton.

Only 134.3 overs were sent down

across five days in a match marred by rain

delays as well as the spectacle of players

being taken off the field for bad light even

when the Ageas Bowl floodlights were in

use.

Not since the same two teams met at

Lord’s in 1987, when 112.5 overs were

bowled, has a Test in England been so

badly affected by weather interruptions.

Umpires Richard Kettleborough and

Michael Gough were widely criticised

for their strict interpretation of the light

regulations, with former England captain

Hussain telling Sky Sports: “Merely

because conditions are not ideal, merely

because the red ball is not picked up as

well, is not a reason to walk off the field.”

The International Cricket Council is

now set to discuss the issue of bad light at

the next meeting of its cricket committee.

Among the suggestions it could

consider are allowing more play under

floodlights and greater use of the pink

ball that is already deployed in official

day/night Tests.

Reports have suggested the England

and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) may be

about to follow other nations by opting

for earlier start times in matches affected

by bad light, rather than sticking rigidly

to 1000 GMT starts and making up ‘lost’

overs later in the day, when natural light

can be fading.

The new approach could be

implemented as soon as Friday’s third

Test, also at Southampton, which will

begin with England 1-0 up in a three-

match series.

Given players, officials and

broadcasters are all onsite and the series is

being played behind closed doors because

of the coronavirus, the argument that

spectators would be inconvenienced by

starting earlier no longer applies.

“These are unusual times,” said

Hussain, an advocate of earlier starts.

“When you have an opportunity

to play and the world is watching, do

everything you can to stay on.”

Sky pays the ECB some £20 million

($26 million) per Test in broadcast fees.

There was particular frustration

among some pundits when the umpires

took the players off for bad light on the

second day — at a time when Pakistan’s

T20 squad were enjoying a practice

session on the adjacent ground without

floodlights — and when the fourth day’s

play was abandoned at 1445 GMT before

an evening where the Ageas Bowl was

bathed in sunshine.

MISBAH’S PINK-BALL CONCERNS

“We cannot have the old mindset of doing

everything you can to go off,” said Hussain.

“We can’t afford to lose spectators that are

desperate for cricket.”

Meanwhile Australia great Shane

Warne called for the pink ball to be

developed to a point where it could be

used for all Test cricket.

“The crowd will see it better and I think

we will stay out there longer,” he said.

But Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq, in

a column for the Pakistan Cricket Board

website, was sceptical.

“The pink ball is very different to the

red ball and I’m not sure that using it

for a whole match — in daylight — is a

good idea,” he said. Bad light regulations

originated before batsmen wore helmets

and before floodlit cricket.

Concerns have been expressed about

the risk of injury to umpires and deep

fielders who may not see a hard-hit shot

coming their way.

But these are problems in broad

daylight too, and umpires could wear

equipment like players or baseball officials.

Australia umpire Bruce Oxenford already

uses a ‘shield’ over his arm in one-day

matches. “The general public will find it

very hard to understand why we are not

playing with floodlights on,” said Mike

Atherton, like Hussain an ex-England

captain. “The game is dangerous in any

circumstances.” — AFP

Indian gaming firm Dream11 named IPL main sponsor

B A D L I G H T B L I G H T S S E C O N D T E S T A S E N G L A N D L E A D 1 - 0

England owe Pakistan reciprocal tour in 2022: Akram

Hussain wants new ‘mindset’

England’s Dom Sibley in action against Pakistan during

second Test. — Reuters

Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi celebrates with teammates

after taking the wicket of England’s Rory Burns. — Reuters

[email protected] www.omanobserver.om

follow us @observersportzsportWEDNESDAY | AUGUST 19, 2020 | DHUL HIJJAH 29, 1441 AH

COLOGNE, Germany: Romelu Lukaku did

his bit but there will be no reunion between

the Belgian and Manchester United in the

Europa League final.

Lukaku’s Inter Milan will be in Friday’s

final in Cologne after he and strike partner

Lautaro Martinez took their combined tally

for the season to 54 goals, each scoring twice

in a 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk.

A day earlier, United had 20 attempts on

goal but only found the net once, from the

penalty spot, in losing 2-1 to Sevilla.

United might have been able to use

Lukaku’s predatory instincts, but it is hard

to argue with the striker’s belief that his 75

million euro ($89 million, £68 million) move

to Milan last summer has worked out well for

all parties.

United recouped most of the £75 million

they paid Everton for Lukaku in 2017 and

have rebuilt with the more flexible attacking

trio of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial

and Mason Greenwood who themselves

combining for 62 goals.

“I think I made the right decision and I

think Manchester United now has made space

for the younger players to come through so I

think it was a bit of a win-win situation for

both of us,” he told Sky Sports.

Lukaku’s 33-goal debut season in Italy has

taken Inter back to a European final for the

first time in 10 years, while Antonio Conte’s

men finished the Serie A season just a point

behind perennial champions Juventus.

“Only I know what I went through to get

him here,” Conte said, who had previously

tried to lure Lukaku to Chelsea before the

striker chose to join United.

Lukaku’s double in the closing stages

in Dusseldorf on Monday extended his

record of scoring in 10 consecutive Europa

League games and took him to within one of

matching Brazilian idol Ronaldo’s debut 34-

goal season for Inter in 1997-98 — the last

time the Nerazzurri won the Uefa Cup.

“Romelu is doing something

extraordinary,” added Conte. “But he is

supported by the team.

“I’m happy for him because he deserves it,

but he has to thank the team for putting him

in a position to express himself in a way he

has never expressed himself in the past.”

In Martinez, Lukaku has the perfect foil.

The pair, nicknamed ‘LuLa’ in the Italian

press, quickly forged a deadly partnership.

“The guy is really a beast,” said Lukaku on

an Instagram Live during football’s shutdown

for the coronavirus pandemic. “He is doing

so well, he keeps improving, I love him”.

The Argentine struggled in his first season

at the San Siro, scoring just six Serie A goals,

but Conte and Lukaku’s arrival has helped

turn the 22-year-old into one of European

football’s hottest properties.

Barcelona were keen to unite Martinez

with compatriot Lionel Messi as Luis Suarez’s

successor, but could not afford the 111 million

euro buyout clause that expired in July.

“I’ve always said Romelu was a rough

diamond that needed polishing. Lautaro

Martinez is the same,” said Conte.

Martinez’s double in Dusseldorf took his

tally for the season to 21, making him and

Lukaku the first pair of Inter strikers to each

reach 20 goals in a season since Adriano and

Obafemi Martins in 2004-05.

It was not quite enough to reel in Juventus,

but after the lean decade that followed the

treble triumph of Jose Mourinho’s side in

2010, ‘LuLa’ are leading Inter back among the

European elite. — AFP

S E V I L L A P R E V A I L A F T E R U N I T E D M A K E 2 0 A T T E M P T S O N G O A L

‘LuLa’ put Inter in European elite

Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku scores the 4-0 goal past Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukrainian

goalkeeper Andrey Pyatov (L) during the Uefa Europa League semifinal against

Shakhtar Donetsk in Duesseldorf. — AFP

SEMI�FINALS

in Dusseldorfin Cologne

Manchester

United

Sevilla InterMilan

Shakhtar

Donetsk

Source: UEFA

Europa League

Sunday Aug 16 Monday Aug 17

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Final on Aug 21 in Cologne

Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring the 5-0 goal during the Uefa Europa League semifinal against Shakhtar Donetsk in Duesseldorf. — AFP

I think I made the right decision and I think Manchester United

now has made space for the younger players to come

through so I think it was a bit of a win-win

situation for both of us

ROMELU LUKAKU INTER MILAN

FORWARD

business [email protected] www.omanobserver.omfollow us @oman_biz

MUSCAT STOCK

MARKET

CRUDE OIL PRICE

3,570.58Oman Crude $ 44.85Brent Crude $ 45.55Light Crude $ 42.99


CONRAD PRABHUMUSCAT, AUG 1 8

The Sultanate is weighing a decision

to either renew or cancel dozens of

chromite mining licences that have

remained “inactive” for inordinately

long periods of time without being

developed or exploited by their

licences.

The move comes amid a growing

crunch being faced by, among others,

ferrochrome smelters operating at

Sohar Freezone that require high

quality grades of Omani chromite

ore as feedstock for their operations.

With much of the country’s current

output of chromite ore currently

being exported under existing supply

commitments, the government has

been compelled to consider more

strident measures to ensure adequate

supplies of locally sourced chromite

ore to the nation’s fledgling, but

promising, ferrochrome smelting

industry.

One such measure being

contemplated by government is

the revocation of chromite mining

licences that have not been acted

upon for five years and more.

The initiative has the backing

of the Implementation Support &

Follow-up Unit (ISFU) — a task

force operating under the auspices

of the Diwan of Royal Court to fast-

track approvals of projects deemed

imperative to fuelling Oman’s

economic diversification.

Explaining the rationale behind

the review of inactive chromite

mining licences, the Unit said:

“Many Omani lands contain

valuable chromite ores that have

not been exploited yet, although

many factories need it to cover their

expansion plans, and thus increase

revenues of the Sultanate. Therefore,

in order to make the best use of such

raw materials, the initiative aims to

review previous and inactive licences

to be classified, as well as exploiting

the sites that still have mineral

resources.”

A team comprising officials of

the ISFU reviewed as many as 50

chromite mining licences that were

dormant for extended periods of

time. Of this number, 38 licences

that were issued prior to 2015 were

cancelled following due process.

Barring two other licences which

are the subject of ongoing litigation,

the others — particularly those

issued during 2015 and later — were

submitted for the consideration of

the licensing committee for renewal.

An estimated 670,000 tonnes of

chromite ore valued at around RO

19.6 million were produced at various

sites across north Oman during 2019.

This compares with an output of

836,000 tonnes of ore, worth over RO

30 million, produced in 2018.

China is among the biggest

markets for Omani chromite ore

exports, but increasing quantities are

being channelled towards a cluster

of ferrochrome smelters that are in

various stages of development and

operation at Sohar Freezone.

Chromium extracted from

chromite ore is used in chrome

plating and alloying for production

of corrosion resistant superalloys

and stainless steel. Chromium is also

used as a pigment for glass, glazes,

and paint, and as an oxidizing agent

for tanning leather.

Move to cancel dormant chromite mining licencesMONETISING MINERAL RESOURCES: The move comes amid a growing crunch being faced by, among others, ferrochrome smelters operating at Sohar Freezone that require high quality grades of Omani chromite ore as feedstock for their operations

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 014

insideoman

LESLIE RAIMONDO & SAMER ABI CHAKER

As the COVID-19

p a n d e m i c

continues to

unfold, nations

around the

world—including

those of the Gulf Cooperation

Council (GCC)—remain focused on

containing the spread of the virus,

protecting public health, mitigating

economic impact, and actioning a

safe and gradual return to a “new

normal.” However, until a vaccine is

developed and mass-distributed (it

is worth noting that the UAE started

the world’s first phase III clinical

trial of a COVID-19 vaccine),

governments will be forced to juggle

competing priorities as they focus on

controlling the virus.

As the GCC transitions to

recovery, National Health Emergency

Preparedness and Response (HEPR)

evaluation and improvement should

be tackled with similar decisiveness.

Booz Allen has developed eight

key recommendations for GCC

countries.

#1 Evaluate and address

immediate recovery needs

Having seen serious illness and

death up close, large sections of the

GCC population may experience

lingering health effects and frontline

health workers may also experience

post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD). Accordingly, social and

health institutions should consider

setting up mental health and social

support programmes that include

family counselling, child protection,

access to safe food and medical

supplies, and even mortgage relief

for laid-off employees.

Certain sectors may require

economic recovery programmes.

Any stimulus, however, needs to be

paired with rebuilding confidence

of all stakeholders in the safety

of resuming daily business and

leisure activities. This can be done

by demonstrating steady advances

in testing capacity, trustworthy

contact tracing capabilities, vaccine

and treatment development, and

implementing occupational health

guidelines.

#2 Re-assess healthcare

capacities and capabilities

The scale and speed of

COVID-19 outbreaks suggests a

need for all nations to re-evaluate

their healthcare systems’ capacity

to continue providing consistent,

high quality medical care even

when stretched beyond capacity.

Re-assessment will need to consider

factors such as potential fluctuation

in demand, upskilling to overcome

personnel shortages, maintaining

and upgrading essential clinical

facilities, engaging the private sector

as an important stakeholder in

crisis response, and expanding or

repurposing local manufacturing

capabilities for PPE and other critical

HEPR supplies.

#3 Strengthen coordination

between stakeholders

Health emergencies generally

require extensive coordination

between diverse players with

different ways of operating, such

as ministries of health, defence

and internal security, healthcare

providers, civil defense, police,

and emergency medical transport.

To ensure they act in concert,

HEPR plans should be re-assessed

for standardisation, stating clear

governance and decision-making

processes as well as well-defined

tasks, roles, and mandates to avoid

misalignment.

#4 Develop HEPR-specific ICT

and data management standards

Improving emergency responses

requires guaranteed interoperability

and easy information sharing

between relevant HEPR players.

During recovery, it is important

to consider rolling out specialised

Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT) and data

management standards.

An HEPR data dictionary that

provides a unified definition of

applicable terms should be developed

and distributed as an essential

starting point for subsequent data

management standardisation efforts.

Advanced contact tracing, for

instance, requires ICT compatibility

and a shared approach to data

management among all stakeholders.

#5 Strengthen health

emergency funding

Assessing the cost-effectiveness

and adequacy of current HEPR

funding mechanisms within the

context of COVID-19 response is

vital. Dedicated funding mechanisms

for HEPR systems and activities can

be used to fund emergency response

activities and surge capacity across

healthcare providers, as well as to

promote and incentivise overall

readiness among all HEPR players.

Ideally, two separate but

complementary funding

mechanisms should be considered:

A “Disaster Relief Fund” to finance

surge capacity and sustain critical

response and recovery measures

and a “Readiness Budget” used to

incentivise readiness across HEPR

stakeholders.

#6 Revise priorities in National

Risk Registers

To better prepare for future

outbreaks, two key components of

national risk assessments need to

be updated. First, the likelihood

of occurrence – considering

major upcoming events attracting

tourists such Dubai Expo 2020

(now postponed to 2021) or KSA’s

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Second,

the potential impact, considering

factors such as forecasted population

growth, vulnerable communities,

mortality rate of the disease, and

transmissibility.

Given that risk assessment

analyses always have a significant

degree of uncertainty, this can be

mitigated by involving a panel of

experts from diverse backgrounds

including epidemiologists,

public health experts, clinicians,

general scientists, and academics.

Such multidisciplinary panels

help derive much more robust

likelihood and impact scores as the

experts’ experience complement

mathematical estimations.

#7 Explore disaster-specific

laws

Based on the results of updated

National risk registers, GCC

countries may want to consider

enacting or modifying existing

pandemic-specific legislation to

help support disaster management

efforts. Useful examples can be

found in other countries. South

Korea’s exemplary management of

COVID-19 stemmed from laws that

were amended after the 2015 MERS

outbreak. Japan, for instance, given

its history of devastating disasters,

also issued specialised legislation to

guide HEPR efforts.

#8 Test capabilities through

strategic simulations

Enhanced HEPR systems should

be tested for efficacy and potential

improvement. Recent advances in

wargaming, tabletop exercises, and

other forms of strategic simulation

are particularly suited to evaluating

strengths and weaknesses of

collaborations that span sectors—

like public health, defence, and

internal security authorities working

together to contain disasters and

protect high-risk populations and

geographies.

As GCC nations transition to

the “new normal”, taking stock of

the above recommendations is vital

to evaluate performance, identify

weaknesses, and develop tailored

interventions for their HEPR

systems.

(Leslie Raimondo, Senior Vice -President at Booz Allen Hamilton and Samer Abi Chaker, Senior Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, MENA

Strengthening health disaster preparedness in the GCC

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, AUG 18

Well-known German hospitality

brand Deutsche Hospitality has

announced the expansion of its

presence in the Sultanate with the

opening of its second property under

the ‘Intercity’ brand in Nizwa.

The IntercityHotel Nizwa, located

in Nizwa City, features 120 guest

rooms and suites, a restaurant, a café

and an Aqua Pool Bar. Health and

beauty spa facilities comprise a gym,

a steam bath and a rooftop pool. The

hotel’s luxurious ballroom will be able

to accommodate up to 700 people for

weddings, family celebrations and

business events. Three combinable

conference rooms will also provide

additional options for meetings.

“We are delighted to be

establishing a further IntercityHotel

in Oman,” said Thomas Willms, CEO,

Deutsche Hospitality. “Oman offers

fantastic holiday destinations and an

outstanding host culture. Our guests

in Nizwa will be provided with a

new international hotel with superb

services that combine bot European

and Arab influences.”

Deutsche Hospitality has been

operating in the Sultanate since 2016,

when the IntercityHotel Salalah

opened. Nizwa exudes historic flair

and is considered to be both a centre

and a link between various parts of

the country because it lies between the

routes connecting Muscat and Salalah.

It is also highly popular amongst

domestic travellers.

“The huge Ballroom, the rooftop

pool and the events rooms are all USP’s

for us in this wonderful city,” said

Anees Shinnara, General Manager of

the IntercityHotel Nizwa.

The IntercityHotels portfolio

includes more than 40 hotels in

Germany, Austria, the Netherlands,

Oman and China, and 20 further

properties are currently at the

development stage.

German hospitality brand launches new property in Oman

GROWING CHAIN: SECOND INTERCITYHOTEL OPENS IN THE OASIS CITY OF NIZWA.

ALERTBUSINESSThe all-new Chevrolet Captiva turns heads wherever it drives

MUSCAT: Having introduced the first-ever sports utility vehicle in 1935

and with one of the boldest and freshest SUV line-ups on the market

in 2020, Chevrolet knows how to design an SUV. Now, the experience

gained over eight decades has culminated in the all-new Chevrolet

Captiva, a vehicle that defies expectations of what an affordable, family

SUV should be. With enviable design cues, both inside and out, the

Chevrolet Captiva offers cutting-edge styling that stands out from the

crowd.

“We understand that the aesthetics of an SUV cannot be overlooked,”

said Farah Amhaz, Head of Brand, Chevrolet Middle East. “Drivers in

the Middle East are looking for a car that represents them on the road

and 2021 Chevrolet Captiva does just that. With sophisticated style cues

and a versatile interior, Chevrolet Captiva will turn heads wherever it

goes.”

Chevrolet Captiva is a striking vehicle, echoing the sporty and

progressive looks of the latest additions to Chevrolet’s SUV line-up. The

side profile showcases the 2021 Chevrolet Captiva’s taut, clean lines, bold

hood shape and gently sloping roof that cut an athletic silhouette. This

is further enhanced by the rugged front grille that keeps the Chevrolet

Captiva looking uniquely youthful and thoroughly modern.

But it’s not all about looks. The new grille design and Chevrolet badge

enhance the driving experience, offering a better way to dissipate heat

from the engine, all while turning heads. The sleek look continues with

wrap-around halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights

(DRL), integrated with turn signal indicators for a fresh-faced front

design. Likewise, Chevrolet Captiva is just as expressive from the back,

with a rear spoiler with integrated third rear brake LED light, optimising

driver visibility and finishing the design a multilayered appearance.

Key recommendations: As the GCC transitions to recovery, National Health Emergency Preparedness and

Response (HEPR) evaluation and improvement should be tackled with similar decisiveness.

international

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVER 15W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0

JAKARTA: Indonesia posted

its biggest trade surplus in

nine years in July, as exports

improved while domestic

demand for imports

remained subdued amid the

coronavirus pandemic, data

from the statistics bureau

showed on Tuesday.

Southeast Asia’s largest

economy reported a $3.26

billion surplus in July, the

bureau said, the biggest since

August, 2011, according to

Refinitiv Eikon data.

The figure handily beat

a forecast in a Reuters poll

for a $680 million surplus

and followed a $1.27 billion

surplus in June.

July exports grew 14.33

per cent from June to $13.73

billion, though were 9.90

per cent below the value of

shipments in the same month

last year. Still, the pace of

contraction was slower than

the poll’s prediction for a

16.65 per cent drop.

By value, exports were

the highest since March.

Statistics bureau chief

Suhariyanto attributed this to

sales of agricultural products

like palm oil, herbs and birds

nests, and despite weaker

exports of coal, rubber and

oil and gas.

Imports plunged 32.55

per cent on an annual basis

to $10.47 billion, steeper

than the 22.48 per cent fall

expected in the poll.

The data indicates

the potential for a further

narrowing of the current

account deficit for the rest

of the year, even after it

significantly narrowed in the

first half due to the pandemic.

Central bank data

earlier on Tuesday showed

Indonesia’s current account

gap in April-June was equal

to 1.2 per cent of GDP, less

than half the deficit in the

same period in 2019.

Bank Danamon’s

economist, Wisnu Wardana,

said despite the trade data

the central bank may need to

consider a number of other

indicators before utilising “a

limited room of monetary

easing”, such as inflation and

the rupiah’s movement.

Bank Indonesia (BI) is

due to wrap up a two-day

policy review on Wednesday.

The majority of economists

in a Reuters poll, including

Wardana, expects the

benchmark rate to remain

unchanged after four cuts to

support the economy.

— Reuters

Indonesia posts largest trade surplus in nine years

A port worker watches as a ship leaves the New Priok Container Terminal 1 in Jakarta. — Reuters

New US sanctions to slam Huawei, further roil tech supplySHANGHAI: US restrictions on

Huawei are likely to cut off the

Chinese smartphone maker’s

access to even off-the-shelf chips

and disrupt the global tech supply

chain once again, executives and

experts cautioned.

The Trump administration

expanded its curbs on Huawei

and banned suppliers from

selling chips made using US

technology to the firm without a

special license — closing potential

loopholes in its May sanctions

that could have let Huawei access

the tech via third parties.

The restrictions underscore

the rift in Sino-US relations,

at their worst in decades, as

Washington presses governments

around to world to squeeze

Huawei out, alleging the company

would hand over data to the

Chinese government for spying.

“It will have a huge impact,”

said Gu Wenjun, chief analyst

at Shanghai-based consultancy

ICWise, referring to tighter

US curbs. “It will throw off

Huawei’s plans to obtain chips

by purchasing them externally,

rather than relying on HiSilicon.”

Huawei has said it will stop

making its flagship Kirin chipsets

from September because US

pressure on its suppliers had made

it impossible for its HiSilicon

division to keep making the

chipsets that are key components

in mobile phones.

For chip suppliers too, across

regions, the ban could be a

setback as most use US design

software from Cadence Design

Systems and Synopsys and chip-

etching tools from firms including

Applied Materials, experts said.

In Asia, memory chipmakers

including Korea’s Samsung

Electronics and SK Hynix,

Japanese image sensor maker

Sony and Taiwanese chipset

maker MediaTek may be affected,

a chip industry source said.

The source, an official at a

large Asian tech supplier who

declined to be named due to

rules on speaking to media, said

management was concerned

about the restrictions and were

reviewing them to see whether the

company was affected.

It is still unclear how many

major suppliers have licenses or

will need new ones to comply

with these rules, or whether those

licenses will be granted.

A spokeswoman pointed

earlier this month that it would cut

its three-year sensor investment

plan to adjust to the changing

environment in the smartphone

market.

MediaTek said it was

monitoring new developments

of rules to remain in compliance,

but that it did not expect material

impact to near-term operations,

based on available information.

MediaTek stock slumped 10

per cent , on track for its worst day

since 2017, while smaller Huawei

suppliers were down as well amid

sluggish Asian stocks. Samsung

shares were up 2 per cent, and

Sony and Hynix were down about

1 per cent. — Reuters

The US flag and a smartphone with the Huawei and 5G network logo are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration. — Reuters

German economy set to grow strongly in summer quarterFRANKFURT: The German economy

is set to recover from the crisis caused

by the novel coronavirus pandemic and

will grow strongly in the summer, the

country’s central bank, the Bundesbank,

predicted.

“Following a sharp decline in the first

half of the year, the German economy

could grow very strongly in the summer

quarter,” the Bundesbank said in its

monthly report in reference to the July

to September quarter.

The evident and broadly based

recovery that began soon after the low

point in April would probably continue,

it said.

But it cautioned that levels of

economic activity seen before the crisis

broke would not be reached in the

third quarter or for some time to come,

noting that the pandemic had yet to be

contained in a number of countries.

Measures to contain the pandemic

led to a sharp fall of around 10 per

cent in economic output in the second

quarter, compared with the first.

Parts of the German economy,

including the key automotive sector,

came to a virtual standstill. A severe

impact was also felt in tourism and

aviation, with virtually all passenger

flights grounded during the summer

holiday season.

A similar impact on other major

economies led to sharply reduced

exports, a main driver of the German

economy.

The Bundesbank predicted a revival

in investment in equipment on the

back of a recovery in industry, along

with a solid contribution from private

consumption expenditure.

In addition, the situation on the

labour market had stabilised, and the

temporary cut in value-added tax had

worked to boost consumer purchases,

it said.

In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel

said through her spokesman that she

viewed proposals to extend Germany’s

furlough scheme “in a basically positive

light.”

Steffen Seibert was responding to

suggestions to extend to 24 months

the so-called “short-time working”

measure, under which the German state

makes up the pay of workers put on

reduced hours by their companies.

The scheme, which took effect in

March, had made a major contribution

to the way Germany had mastered the

crisis, Seibert said, pointing to millions

of jobs secured.

Any possible extension to the

scheme would have to be passed by

Merkel’s broad coalition, made up of her

Christian Democratic Union (CDU),

its Bavarian sister-party, the Christian

Social Union (CSU), and the Social

Democratic Party (SPD), he said.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz of

the SPD told the Sunday edition of the

mass-circulation Bild newspaper that

he wished to extend the scheme to 24

months, noting that the crisis caused by

the pandemic would not disappear over

the next few weeks.

“Business and workers need a clear

signal from the government: We will

back you the entire way through the

crisis, so that no one is let go without

need along the way,” Scholz said.

The scheme is generally operative for

at most 12 months, although conditions

were eased at in response to the crisis

to allow payments to continue for 21

months.

Business associations have

welcomed the plans. Scholz was on

the right road if he wanted to extend

the duration of short time working

to 24 months, said Ralph Wiechers,

chief economist of the Mechanical

Engineering Industry Association

(VDMA). — dpa

PARTS OF THE GERMAN ECONOMY, INCLUDING THE KEY AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR, CAME TO A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL.

A SEVERE IMPACT WAS ALSO FELT IN TOURISM AND AVIATION, WITH VIRTUALLY ALL PASSENGER FLIGHTS

GROUNDED DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAY SEASON.

WASHINGTON: Boeing

Co said on Monday it

would offer employees

a voluntary layoff

package with

pay and

benefits for

the second

time this

year, as the

planemaker

battles a

c o r o n a v i r u s -

induced slowdown in

global air travel.

It will be offered

to employees in the

commercial airplanes and

services businesses as well

as corporate functions,

Chief Executive Officer

Dave Calhoun (pictured)

wrote in a note to

employees.

“ U n f o r t u n a t e l y ,

layoffs are a hard but

necessary step to align to

our new reality, preserve

liquidity and position

ourselves for the eventual

return to growth,”

Calhoun said in the note.

“We anticipate seeing

a significantly smaller

marketplace over the next

three years.”

The health crisis,

which has hammered

planemakers, airlines

and suppliers, has added

to the woes of Boeing

that has been grappling

with a production freeze

and year-long

g r o u n d i n g

of the 737

M A X

following

two fatal

crashes.

Th e

c o m p a n y

doesn’t have a

set target at this time

and was encouraging

all eligible employees

interested in the

voluntary layoff package

to apply, Boeing said in a

statement.

The move to extend

the overall workforce

reductions beyond the

initial 10 per cent target is

in response to employee

feedback, Calhoun said.

The planemaker had

said in April it would

cut its 160,000-person

workforce by about 10

per cent, many of which

was to be completed by

the end of this year at

its commercial aircraft

division.

More details will be

made available to the

employees beginning

August 24, according

to the CEO’s note. —

Boeing to offer second layoff plan

PACKAGE PAY

SYDNEY: Mining giant BHP said

profits fell four per cent in the

year ending in June, as the Anglo-

Australian firm signalled a transition

away from the intensely polluting

thermal coal market on Tuesday.

The company reported annual net

profit of just under $8 billion, versus

$8.3 billion in the year before.

Recently installed chief executive

Mike Henry noted a “year marked

by the challenges” linked to civil

unrest in Chile — the world’s largest

producer of copper — and the

coronavirus pandemic.

Henry also predicted a rocky path

ahead.

“We expect most major economies

will contract heavily in 2020, China

being the exception,” he said.

The company also confirmed a

long-hinted shift away from the coal-

for-electricity market.

“To further enhance our portfolio

for value, risk and returns, we intend

to concentrate our coal portfolio

on higher quality coking coals,” the

company said in a statement.

BHP added that it was “looking

at options to exit” two thermal coal

projects in Australia and one in

Colombia.

Coking coal is primarily used to

make iron and steel and has not been

the primary focus of the effort to

reduce the impacts of climate change.

BHP’s own operational

greenhouse gas emissions again rose.

Rivals Rio Tinto and Anglo-

American have announced similar

shifts away from thermal coal. — AFP

BHP signals shift away from coal

Employees work at a production line for the electric Volkswagen models in Zwickau, Germany. — AFP

Imports plunged 32.55 per cent on an annual basis

to $10.47 billion, steeper than the

22.48 per cent fall expected in the

poll.

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVER16perspective


A server carries food past a sign promoting the British Government’s “Eat out to Help out” scheme to get consumers spending again, outside a restaurant in Manchester, northwest England. — AFP

oday’s $72 trillion question for investors:

To buy or not to buy into the global

equities rally? Notwithstanding inflated

share prices, politics and the pandemic,

the answer from many is a resounding

“yes.”

That’s not just because unprecedented

stimulus — $20 trillion and counting

— is forcing a structural change in how

financial assets are valued.

It’s also down to years of societal shifts,

innovation and now, the pandemic, which

could transform forever the way people

work, study and shop — playing into the

dominant hand of tech stocks.

So while renewed coronavirus

outbreaks and looming US elections have

made some investors cautious, many

equity bulls are hanging in there, having

already boosted the value of stocks

globally by $24 trillion since end-March.

As global equities near record highs,

strategists say the quick-fire bear-to-bull

switch was not only justified but deserves

to go further.

“The COVID pandemic has taken

existing trends — greater dependency on

tech, online shopping, remote working,

etc. — and supercharged them,” said

Benjamin Jones, a senior multi-asset

strategist at State Street Global Markets.

With technology stocks holding on to

their eye-popping gains, investors say the

next leg of the rally is likely to come from

value stocks — so called because they

trade at cheaper valuations than their

growth-oriented peers.

Stocks are benefiting of course from

above-average equity-risk premiums, the

return one can earn by holding stocks

compared with risk-free assets. Global

stocks carry an ERP of 4.6 per cent, while

for US stocks, it’s at 4 per cent.

That might erode over time, but for

now interest rates appear firmly stapled

to the floor.

As for valuations, they are hovering

near 22 times forward earnings for the

US S&P 500 index, the highest since the

dotcom bubble in early 2000. But then,

the index too has changed dramatically

with technology by far its biggest sector

component.

Making up around a third of the

benchmark index, they are the ultimate

pandemic stay-at-home beneficiaries,

especially those known as FANGMAN

— an expanded tech group comprising

Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google,

Microsoft, Amazon and chipmaker

Nvidia.

Their multiples of 80-100 times

forward earnings have led the broader

market higher.

Until a few decades ago, bank, oil

& gas, and industrial stocks made up

a bulk of the S&P 500. These sectors

typically trade at lower multiples, given

commodity price volatility and high

capex needs — a major reason behind

this year’s underperformance of Britain’s

FTSE benchmark.

“What’s odd about the market debate

is that it’s set up as follows: look at the

S&P 500 and the response is the equity

market is expensive. Then you ask people

what they like and they favour a lot of the

secular-growth, high-multiple stocks,”

said Morgan Stanley chief cross-asset

strategist Andrew Sheets.

A ratio of US stocks on a market

weighted basis to an equally weighted

index of shares is at its highest levels since

the 2008 crisis, indicating the dominance

of the handful of large tech stocks in the

market.

The valuations make all the more sense

because of the lower for longer interest

rate environment, said Maximilian

Kunkel, CIO of Global Family Offices at

UBS. “As a result we remain constructive

on risk assets even after the rally.”

Many others would seem to agree. On

derivative markets, the put-to-call ratio

for US stocks, a measure of positioning

sentiment, is the lowest since 2010.

The ratio is inversely related to equity

performance.

Some caution is although warranted,

given that asset classes of all stripes have

gained. A portfolio with a 25 per cent split

in stocks, bonds, cash and gold would

have earned a record 18 per cent in the

last 90 days, BofA analysts calculate.

But the edifice is vulnerable to a rise

in inflation, many argue, with investors’

holdings of yield-sensitive investments up

$8.1 trillion over 18 months, according to

Morgan Stanley.

Though prices have rebounded from

deflationary territory fairly quickly,

inflation remains far below central bank

estimates, indicating equity valuations

will remain attractive.

Latest flows data shows investors are

switching from cash to equities.

“I would still say investors are

underweight equities and that provides

a fairly decent backdrop for risk assets

to rally,” said Jason Borbora-Sheen,

portfolio manager at Ninety One Asset

Management. — Reuters

Tech fuelled ‘awesome’ rally looks unstoppable

A man looking on his phone walks past Facebook logo at the company’s office in New York, in this file photo. — Reuters

T

* EQUITIES RALLY

UK investment bankers raking in bumper feeshe scale of the fee enjoyed by

investment banks, as companies flock

to raise money in the capital markets to

cope with the coronavirus, is revealed

in new figures — with London bankers

enjoying their highest quarterly pay-

out in almost five years. London listed

companies accounted for over 80 per

cent of all pandemic-fuelled emergency

fund raising in the first half of 2020,

raising bumper revenues for banks’ UK

equity capital markets team.

Investment banks brought in $172

million in fees from such deals in Q2

this year — more than double what

they made from all stock deals in the

country during the first three months of

2020. Overall revenues of $349 million

reached a five-year high, according to

data from Dealogic.

UK companies have rushed to raise

money to shore up their balance sheets

in the wake of the pandemic. Around

$11 billion was raised by London-

listed firms in the second quarter of

2020 because of COVID-19, the data

shows, which amounts to 83 per cent

of the total in Europe. Globally, the

UK accounted for 43 per cent of all

pandemic related stock issues.

Head of UK equity capital markets

at Bank of America, Daniel Burton-

Morgan said: “Equity raisings were

being used to shore up liquidity and

take down leverage and were initially

more defensive because on the impact

of COVID-19.” He added: “That has

now moved to companies raising

capital to seek opportunities and

accelerate growth.”

Around $15.2 billion has been

raised by London-listed companies

since the beginning of the UK’s

lockdown in March, bringing the total

Q2 capital raises to over $25 billion —

the highest three-month total since the

second quarter of 2014.

Co-chief executive of investment

bank Numis — which focuses on the

UK market — Ross Michinson said it

was “hard to unpick” deals that were

specifically related to COVID-19 from

those that were not. However, he added

that the total raised so far on London’s

stock exchanges was likely to be just the

beginning.

“The economic fallout from this

crisis is likely to be worse than the

2008 financial crisis,” he said. “Then,

excluding bank recapitalisations, there

was around £60 billion raised by UK

companies, or about 5 per cent of the

total market capitalisation. Now, that

figure would be about £100 billion, so

with £15 billion raised so far there’s a

long way to go.”

Burton-Morgan said: “Once

companies are through Q2 reporting,

we would expect more equity raisings

related to the impact of COVID-19.”

He added: “The government is

not likely to be taking an active role

in bailing out companies or injecting

equity, so we see more equity being

raised than in continental Europe,

where the state has stepped in to

provide that direct support.”

The biggest deals in the quarter

were caterer Compass Group’s $2.4

billion follow-on offering in May, while

brewer Whitbread raised $1.3 billion in

June.

US banks have dominated

COVID-19 capital raising with

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank

of America and JP Morgan taking a

49.2 per cent share of the market by

value, according to Dealogic.

(The writer is our foreign correspondent based in the UK. He can be reached at [email protected])

WITH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS HOLDING ON TO THEIR EYE-POPPING GAINS, INVESTORS

SAY THE NEXT LEG OF THE RALLY IS LIKELY TO COME

FROM VALUE STOCKS — SO CALLED BECAUSE

THEY TRADE AT CHEAPER VALUATIONS THAN THEIR

GROWTH-ORIENTED PEERS.

EQUITY RAISINGS WERE BEING USED TO SHORE UP LIQUIDITY AND TAKE DOWN LEVERAGE AND WERE

INITIALLY MORE DEFENSIVE BECAUSE ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19.

here is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under

the heavens.” That piece of Biblical wisdom is worth contemplating

by critics of the British government’s desire to support some highly

leveraged companies that are backed by private equity firms.

The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy wants to help several pandemic-struck large employers, the

Financial Times reported.

The PizzaExpress restaurant chain and amusement park operator

Merlin Entertainments are possible beneficiaries. Guarantees would

be problematic, because Britain is still subject to European Union

restrictions on state aid to

debt-laden companies.

The jobs at stake

amount to a tiny fraction

of the UK’s 9.6 million

furloughed workers, but

failures of well-known

brands would bring bad

headlines and might

damage fragile public

sentiment. There is also an

issue of principle.

PizzaExpress, for

example, is in the midst

of complex financial

restructuring, with the

goal of reducing the

interest expense on its 1.1

billion pounds of debt. At 14 times 2018 EBITDA, the last publicly

reported number, the leverage was more than enough to cause

financial indigestion.

It feels wrong to help an industry that loads companies with so

much debt, especially because private equity is highly profitable

overall, and its profits rely heavily on the tax deductibility of interest

expense. What the government has given with one hand it now

plans to supplement with the other.

The flaws of private equity, however, are well-known. For more

than three decades, numerous academics and campaigners have

pointed out that the industry often starves debt-laden companies

of helpful investments, adds to unemployment in recessions,

and collects excessive fees. Presumably, there will be many more

decades, after the 2020 business restrictions are lifted, to persuade

governments to change tax laws and regulations.

Right now, however, the right priority is to safeguard employment.

The right partners for governments are employers who have jobs

that need protecting, and the most realistic means to do that is to

work around EU rules and lend them money. As the Bible also says,

“What is crooked cannot be straightened”. — Reuters

* PUBLIC SENTIMENT

Helping private equity is necessary COVID-19 evil

T

T

* NEW FIGURES

THE JOBS AT STAKE AMOUNT TO A TINY FRACTION OF THE UK’S 9.6 MILLION

FURLOUGHED WORKERS, BUT FAILURES OF

WELL-KNOWN BRANDS WOULD BRING BAD

HEADLINES AND MIGHT DAMAGE FRAGILE

PUBLIC SENTIMENT.

ANDY JALIL

world

Livestreamed con-certs are now a common feature of the coronavirus age, with musi-cians vying for a spot on the over-

crowded virtual stage even when they’re doing it for free.

This weekend, Haitian DJ Michael Brun hopes to find a way to make streams more profitable, with plans to test a model rarely used in music. The practice is known as “geofencing” — limiting virtual viewers to a specific geo-graphic area.

His strategy aims to draw an audience for a fee by catering to certain cities.

Like many artists, the New York-based Brun — who’s played top festivals and seen his remixes generate millions of streams — has delivered several free virtual shows from his apartment since the pandemic began.

His first three paid con-certs since then will be geofenced to people within 100 miles of Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago, respec-tively, at five dollars per ticket.

The 28-year-old will DJ from Manhattan’s Le Poisson Rouge venue, with higher-quality pro-duction than the often-mini-malist streams that have become the norm.

Brun said he hoped making his shows location-specific can heighten the experience for fans, with each show limited to 500 viewers.

“It’s not just a random live on a random day,” he said. “This feels like more of a moment.”

Brun said he was happy to do free shows from home — espe-cially in the early days of the pandemic plagued by job loss, fear and uncertainty.

And though he made no money off of that work, he said that for many artists the make-shift streamed shows were a “necessity” to sustain their audiences.

“Nobody really knows when live music is going to come back, so you don’t want to just disappear,” Brun said.

‘STEP FORWARD’ Most artists make the vast

majority of their income from touring, so the hiatus of in-per-son shows sent shockwaves through the industry.

Brun hopes experimenting with ways to make digital streams more financially sus-tainable could alleviate the pressure.

His set design and setlists will be specific to each show, which will air live via Zoom. Viewers will purchase access via the ticketing company Tixr.

Beyond the entry fees to his

digital shows, Brun is spon-sored by the rum brand Bacardi, a type of partnership the elec-tronic music producer said will likely be key to supporting musicians going forward.

“The brands that are associ-ated with the entertainment industry benefit from artists,” he said. “For them to be able to continue having someone to market to, you have to sustain the people creating the culture” that brands target.

Thomas Fiss, the VP of Marketing at AWAL — Brun’s label and a producing partner on the show — said the last sev-eral months have been “trial by fire” as the industry crossed its fingers the pandemic would be short-lived.

Brun thinks the model could prove useful even in a post-pandemic world, especially for reaching audiences outside the usual tour destinations — his native Haiti, for example.

And though digital shows can’t replace actual in-person concerts, the producer said he does enjoy elements of streamed performances.

“You’re actually interacting with people on a scale that you would never be able to interact with them at a real show,” he said. “People sending messages can feel really intimate.”

“It feels like you’re in a com-munity.”—AFP

As pandemic lingers, one DJ tests virtual ‘tours’

featuresOMANDAILYOBSERVER 17W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0

This weekend, Haitian DJ Michael Brun hopes to find

a way to make streams more prof-itable, with plans to test a model rarely used in music. The practice is known as “geofencing” —

limiting virtual viewers to a specif-ic geographic area

featuresoman/world

OMANDAILYOBSERVER18 W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 2 0

TRAVEL TALES Get full stories online at www.omanobserver.om

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THE SANCTUARY

LOS ANGELES: Three top producers on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” have exited the popular television talk show, Warner. Bros said on Monday, after an internal investigation into com-plaints of bullying, racism and sexual misconduct against them.

A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television, which produces the show, on Monday said that three senior producers had “parted ways” with the show.

The departures fol-lowed weeks of turmoil backstage that has undermined the show’s public message of spreading kindness and happiness.

Reports of a hostile work place have included criticism that DeGeneres is mean-spirited. These prompted a social media campaign calling for her replacement and public statements of support for the comedian from the likes of Katy Perry, Kevin Hart, Alec Baldwin and Ashton Kutcher.

DeGeneres, 62, on Monday spoke to the staff of her show via Zoom in what Variety said was an emotional and apologetic address.

Variety cited multiple sources as saying that DeGeneres told staff she was “not perfect” and that it was “heartbreak-ing” to read allegations about the atmosphere on the set.

The accusations of a hostile working environ-ment at the daytime talk show were first made by former staff members in a BuzzFeed article in July. Warner Bros. responded by saying it was investi-gating and that several staffing changes were being implemented.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has won multiple awards since it began airing in 2003. They include the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2012 for DeGeneres herself and multiple statuettes as a favorite television host. — Reuters

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

T H I S I S Y O U R S P O T

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AS FAR AS THE EYE SEES

Cell phone foot-age of restora-tion workers drilling down the stone wall of Istanbul’s 14th-century

Galata Tower created a polit-ical firestorm Wednesday and forced the culture minis-try into a hasty retreat.

The iconic 67-metre (220-foot) structure overlooking the Golden Horn is a massive draw for tourists and an enduring symbol of Istanbul.

It was the ancient city’s tallest structure when com-pleted by the Genoese in 1348.

But its future looked in sudden doubt when a press officer of the Istanbul city government tweeted a clip of two restoration workers tak-ing apart a corner section of the tower’s inner wall with jackhammers.

A pile of large stones lay at their feet as they worked.

“It was really shocking to see this kind of vandalism being performed in the most important cultural site of Istanbul,” the city’s cultural heritage department direc-tor Mahir Polat said.

“This conduct is insane.”The 20-second clip became

a social media sensation and made the tower a trending topic on Turkish Twitter.

Galata was already a source of tension between the city — whose mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is a promi-nent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — and the Turkish culture ministry.

The ministry tried to take over control of the tower immediately after Imamoglu’s hotly disputed election last year.

The transfer was held up in court but formally com-pleted in April.

Culture Minister Nuri Ersoy explained in his own

tweet a few hours later that the workers were removing “parts that were added (to the wall) later on and that were damaging the Galata Tower”.

But he said that the work-ers responsible were repri-manded nonetheless.

“Regarding the techniques used in the restoration, the necessary sanctions have taken against the relevant contractor,” the minister tweeted.

Ersoy’s deputy explained that the workers were trans-forming a part of the tower that used to house a restau-rant into a museum.

But the city’s cultural her-itage department director was unconvinced.

“It is inadmissable to see Istanbul destroy its treas-ures,” he said.

The tower is scheduled to reopen to tourists once the restoration work is complet-ed on September 15.—AFP

Istanbul in uproar over restoration damage to iconic tower

Three producers out at Ellen DeGeneres TV show amid back-stage turmoil

Galata Tower is an iconic

67-metre (220-foot) structure

overlooking the Golden Horn is a massive draw for tourists and

an enduring symbol of

Istanbul. It was the ancient city’s tallest

structure when completed by

the Genoese in 1348

featuresoman

OMANDAILYOBSERVER 19W E D N E S D A Y l A U G U S T 1 9 l 2 0 1 9

From swimming in Wadi Shab, hiking up sand dunes, jumping off waterfalls or exploring an abandoned village, she did it all with grip-ping excitement that

was evident on her face.That’s Alex Outhwaite, a British

traveller and a travel television presenter and YouTuber, well-known for her shows on Travelxp channel.

Having travelled to over 70 coun-tries including Oman in November 2019 to document her travels, the people she meets and cuisines from around the world.

‘Quest’, ‘Backpack’ and ‘Off the Grid’ are her most popular TV shows which is broadcast to over 30 countries worldwide.

“Oman is somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time. It has a great history and a strong culture as well as friendly people which make it a wonderful place for an adventurous traveller like me. I was impressed at the varia-tion that Oman offers as a destina-tion. There are very few places that offer such luxurious hotels as well as an adventurous side for the more intrepid traveller,” says Alex.

She recollects her ‘off the grid’ experiences during her visit.

Hiking in Wadi Shab was to be one of the most beautiful night skies ever seen, she mentions.

“But until you see it for yourself you cannot believe, as it must be one of the clearest and starriest skies around. It was so much fun and I loved that Oman has adven-

turous, cultural activities and luxu-ry. Oman has something for all travellers no matter what your taste or budget.”

“If you’re into luxury then there are some of the most luxurious hotels in the region on offer, but if you’re someone who loves nature and landscapes, you can camp under the stars. Everyone will have a different experience because it can offer all man-ners of travel from foodie trips, to hiking trails to spa breaks,” she mentions.

An adventurous backpacker, Alex loves meeting new friends and diving first into a culture to learn about the ways of life, the food and the traditions.

Strict norms at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve pleased her much as these were done to protect the turtle’s well-being, which is very important for the animal welfare and also for promoting Oman as a sustainable destination.

COVID-19 has put a block on her travels as she had to put off new shows, mainly travels with a foodie edge and is confident of beginning to film soon.

A solo traveller from the age of 16, her first solo overseas trip was to Egypt on a diving trip. Since then there has been no looking back, having travelled from Cairo to Cape Town, throughout South America and through Asia.

“I have a range of new travel shows planned and I hope that Oman can be somewhere I visit again to promote across the world and show how friendly the people are and what a great range of activities it has to offer,” she concludes.

An influencer, Alex was nomi-nated Vlogger of the Year and her TV show ‘Off the Grid’ was nominated for Travel Show of the Year at the Indian Television Awards in 2018.

Impressed by Oman’s variation as a travel destination

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TEXT BY LIJU CHERIANPHOTOS BY JOSHUA AKERS


[email protected] www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserver

Impressed by Oman’s variation

as a travel destination

The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist examines aspects of caste systems across civilizations and reveals a rigid hierarchy in America today.

CASTEby Isabel Wilkerson

It is one of Oman’s underrated destinations but definitely worth a visit. With an endless view of the Arabian Sea, a cooler temperature the whole year through, and virgin beaches that are quite hard to get to but enjoyable to just even see, the cliffs of Al Kabah will remind you a lot of Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher.

Everyone does this almost every day and it is for photography that apps like Instagram rose to fame. Celebrate Photography Day by doing something creative or give one of your social media posts a focus by dedicating it to charity, environment protection or whatever cause has taken your interest.

Fish has been identified as one of the healthiest food on the planet and there are different fishes in Oman that are good sources of Omega-3. Try this recipe by visiting https://bit.ly/3gbxd6G

FRESH FISH STEWA dangerous new pill grants users temporary superpowers and an ex-soldier, a teen and a cop had to team up in New Orleans to hunt for its source. This new movie available on Netflix maybe slow and predictable but we agree, it is fun to watch.

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DAILY PICKS

READ EAT TRAVEL EVENTS WATCH

With shows like “Backpack” and “Off The Grid,” British travel television presenter and YouTuber Alex Outhwaite was

impressed at the variation that Oman offers as a destination. In her own words, Oman is one of the very few places that offer

luxurious hotels as well as adventurous destinations for the more intrepid travellers. She shares a few anecdotes about

her trip to the country... P19

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