MUSCAT: Oman is leading the way in the recovery from COVID-19, according to the statistics monitored by The Arabian Stories.
The Sultanate is witnessing a significant improvement in recovery rate, while new infections and deaths have remarkably dropped, despite the country reopening its borders on September 1.
“Since July onwards, we are seeing a steady decline in new infections. In the last 20 days, only 25 deaths were reported, while there were zero deaths reported in the last three days,” said Ibrahim Al Maimani, a leading Covid analyst.
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With over 50% of target population fully vaccinated, the government is working round the clock to bring life back to normalcy. “We are looking to fully vaccinate the target population of both citizens and residents by end of October,” said His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, the country’s Minister of Health.
His Excellency Salim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism said the volume of investment opportunities currently available in the country is close to $50 billion. The Minister said the government is racing to save its tourism to benefit an industry badly damaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We expect a strong competition because of the pandemic but we are depending on those who know Oman and have previously visited Oman and we are absolutely sure that these tourists will return. We want to tell them that we are ready, and there is greater security in terms of safety procedures, and the rate of vaccination of l is high, and therefore greater confidence and discipline exist at the present time and in the future,” Al Mahrouqi added.
According to a report issued on September 12 by the International Monetary Fund, Oman’s economy is projected to grow by 2.5 per cent, after a contraction of 2.8 per cent in 2020, as the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine helps domestic activity and external demand picks up.
The economic recovery will be led by 1.5 per cent growth in non-oil activity this year, compared with a 3.9 per cent contraction in 2020, the IMF said.
“The Sultanate’s fiscal deficit is set to decrease to 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product this year, from 19.3 per cent of GDP in 2020, and is expected to turn into a surplus in 2022,” IMF said in the report.
