MUSCAT : Through a series of working papers, the symposium discusses ways of integration among entities concerned with investment. It also serves as a platform to exchange visions and ideas aimed at raising the efficiency of economic work in the governorates and enhancing their contribution to achieving sustainable development.

The seminar discusses opportunities to enhance economic development in the governorates through sessions and working papers that focus on investment opportunities, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthening integration among the relevant investment entities.

The main paper, “Economically Empowering Governorates: Towards Economic Resilience and Future Readiness,” discusses the importance of building a more resilient and sustainable local economy, thereby enhancing the national sector’s capacity to confront crises and future challenges.

His Excellency Mohammed bin Saeed Al Amri, Director General of Governorates Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, stated that the seminar aims to discuss the means that ensure the enhancement of economic aspects in the governorates, alongside producing practical outcomes that contribute to supporting economic development and improving the efficiency of local investment across various parts of the Sultanate of Oman.

He clarified that the seminar represents a shared national platform aimed at enhancing cooperation between the government and private sectors and civil society institutions, with a focus on formulating actionable recommendations that support economic partnerships and open new horizons for development projects in the governorates.

His Excellency Khalifa bin Murdas Al-Busaidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, affirmed that the National Forum for Enhancing Economic Development in the Governorates embodies the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in consolidating the approach of decentralization and empowering the governorates to fulfill their developmental and economic roles in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

His Excellency clarified that enhancing economic decentralization represents a qualitative shift in the course of comprehensive development, through the reengineering of roles between governmental institutions and governorates, thereby strengthening institutional integration and elevating the efficiency of response to rapidly changing economic variables.

The seminar concluded with a number of recommendations, most notably directing development plans toward projects that enhance the comparative advantage of each governorate, and developing promising investment opportunities that align with the standards of the “Invest in Oman” platform, alongside strengthening coordination with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the relevant authorities to implement joint developmental initiatives.

As recommended, finding incentives for technological investment, strengthening partnerships with educational and research institutions, leveraging data and artificial intelligence to support economic development, and directing investments of the Oman Future Fund towards projects with sustainable economic impact.

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