Bright Future Ahead

Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Sultanate of Oman has seen the benefits of development in every area - be it social, political, industrial or its human resources. Today it is a strong, thriving economy where a traditional form of Government has led the way for the foundation of a modern state - one that marches with the rest of the world.

The last two decades especially have been all about progress and growth, and these changes encompass every aspect of modern-day living today — from the socio-economic infrastructure to technological progress to health care to professional manpower.

Oil was the economic mainstay in the 70s and Oman’s main source of income, but His Majesty’s vision has seen that Oman’s economy today has diversified and introduced wide-ranging structural reforms to make it a global player in many fields. With privatisation, Omanisation, expansions in the non-oil sector, lifting of impediments in most sectors to Foreign Direct Investment, a sound socio-economic infrastructure, a professional manpower base and streamlining business regulations, the outlook for the Omani economy is extremely bright.

Oman’s health care system is today recognised as among the best in the world by the World Health Organisation. Its history of a flourishing international trade is today reflected in its successful accession to the World Trade Organisation, besides it being a founder nation in the recently established Indian Ocean Rim Association. Of late, Oman has also completed Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United States. Oman’s high credit ratings with international agencies, its political and economic stability with a relatively low debt obligation, its ranking as the most transparent nation in the Middle East and North Africa and the second free economy in the region only goes to highlight its innumerable accomplishments. These achievements also show that Oman is a capable player in the global scenario of capital, technology, trade and co-operation.

This book celebrates this very phenomenon and is dedicated to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, the visionary and founder of modern Oman. It is only because of and with his wisdom and foresight that Oman has been inspired to take its rightful place on the frontiers of global development, while still preserving its unique culture and values.

The guest writers in this book are all experts in their respective fields and are well known and respected individuals who have been and still are a part of this progress and change. We thank them for their generosity and spirit and for sharing their thoughts and knowledge with us.

It is an honour to present this book to you. We realise that it will greatly illuminate your national pride and reinforce the feeling that Oman not only stands out in the region, but that its brilliance reaches the far corners of the world!