Oman celebrates the third anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's ascension to power

Oman is celebrating. 12 January marks three years since Sultan Haitham bin Tariq ascended the throne. Muscat has declared a bank holiday on the day to mark the third anniversary of the Sultan's accession to power. As reported by the country's news agency ONA, the holiday will apply to both the public and private sectors. The Sultan also issued a special pardon for a number of convicted prisoners to mark the occasion. Haitham bin Tariq succeeded Sultan Qaboos bin Said, his cousin, whose reign lasted from 1970 until his death in 2020.

During these three years, the Omani sultan has striven to raise the country's standard of living, prosperity and development. In this regard, 'Vision 2040', an initiative that seeks to address the nation's challenges and further achievements, is worth mentioning. 

With the aim of further raising the living standards of citizens, the sultan earlier this week approved 11.35 billion rials ($28.34 billion) in national spending this year. According to The National News, this figure includes the largest increase in social security budgets in six years. Much of this amount will also be spent on development projects, housing, health and education.

The national accounts have also improved during the current sultan's tenure. In 2022 the Arab country achieved an estimated financial surplus of 146 billion Omani rials, according to Al-Ain figures. The nation's gross domestic product has also grown. At the end of 2022 it stood at 44.9 billion, an increase of 32.4% compared to the previous year. 

At the political, legislative and administrative level, Haitham bin Tariq has repealed several laws and restructured some ministries with the aim of reducing spending and eliminating bureaucracy. As part of this plan to restructure the administration, the sultan has also sought to boost the role of young people to take on leadership positions and make decisions. 

Haitham bin Tariq also established a Supreme Judicial Council, headed by himself, with the aim of achieving transparency, integrity and justice, in line with the goals of Vision 2040.

On the other hand, his foreign policy has been based on good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence among peoples and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. Muscat has strengthened its relations with regional nations such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with Western countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany.

During a meeting with the Council of Ministers earlier this year, the Sultan expressed his satisfaction with the achievements, pledging to continue implementing strategies, plans and programmes aimed at promoting sustainable development and preserving national gains. Among the objectives set by Haitham bin Tariq for 2023 is the promotion and diversification of investments, simplifying and facilitating related procedures. Through the Oman Investment Authority, the country will offer more job opportunities to its citizens.

The third anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's rise to power comes just two weeks after the country's first municipal elections were held. The election process ended with 126 politicians - including one woman - winning out of a total of 696 candidates, including 27 women.

These elections are of key relevance as one of the objectives of 'Vision Oman 2040' is to activate the role of municipalities in fostering development in the nation's governorates.