[Oman-l] Oman News from GulfWire #9 (14-20 May 2001)

[Joachim Duester]

Here are recent news and links to news about Oman from
Gulfwire #96 (http://arabialink.com/GulfWire/GULFWIRE.htm)
and ArabicNews.com

NEW MINISTERS SWORN IN
... present at the meeting were six new ministers who earlier took the oath
before Sultan Qaboos. They were Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali Al Qatabi, Minister
of State and Governor of Dhofar, Malik bin Sulaiman Al Maamari, Minister of
Transport and Telecommunications, Dr Khamis bin Mubarak Al Alawi, Minister
of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, Sheikh Suhail
bin Mustahil Al Shimas, Minister of Housing, Electricity and Water, Sheikh
Salim bin Hilal Al Khalili, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Sheikh
Salim bin Mustahil Al Maashani, Adviser at the Diwan of the Royal Court.
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=17334

OMANI WOMEN TAKE FRONT SEAT
Women in Oman have welcomed a decision to allow them to drive taxis, saying
it will expand the work possibilities open to them.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1334000/1334288.st
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MUSCAT FESTIVAL 2002
Organizers announced January 3 will be the start date of the Muscat Festival
2002 according to the Oman News Agency.  The Muscat Municipality and the
main organizing committee have begun planning for the event which drew about
1 million visitors in 2000.

SHIFTING TO UNLEADED GAS
[GulfWire] Gas stations will begin pumping unleaded gas in Oman on August 1
according to Nasir bin Ali al Midailwi, Director General of Technical
Services in the Oil and Gas Ministry in a statement to ONA.  He said the
introduction of unleaded fuel coincides with the designation of 2001 as the
year of the environment in Oman and is consistent with a mandate for all GCC
states to start using unleaded gas by 2002.

IRISH VISIT, DISCUSS POWER AND WATER
[GulfWire] Shaikh Mohammed bin Ali al Qatabi, Minister of Electricity and
Water, received Mary Harney, Deputy Premier and Minister of Enterprise,
Trade and Employment in the Republic of Ireland according to the Oman
Observer on May 8.  They discussed enhancing bilateral ties in various
fields, particularly in the electricity and water spheres as well as foreign
direct investment and Oman's efforts to privatize the power sector.  Ms.
Harney told the Oman News Agency she hoped for stronger co-operation in
industrial and training policies between the two countries, saying that
Ireland had achieved remarkable economic success and that the Sultanate
could utilize her country's experience.

Oman, promising market for Thai fishery, tourism
Oman appears to be a new promising market and a key investment base of Thai
business persons and investors, as the oil-rich country is opening its door
wider to welcome foreign trade and investment, Thai news agency (TNA)
reported.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/010515/2001051528.html