
Oman: $72mln pact signed for fishing port in Masirah
Muscat: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources on Monday signed a contract worth OMR28 million with Khimji Ramdas Contracting and Archimedes Marine Engineering to implement a multi-purpose fishing port in the Wilayat of Masirah.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry by Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
The fishing port development project in the Wilayat of Masirah is envisaged to provide basic services to the fisheries sector.
It will extend support to the tourism and commercial sectors and the Royal Oman Police, besides rendering services to visitors of the port.
Breakwaters extending 4,172 metres will be built along the port, whose basin will be deepened further by 5 metres. The facility will have a 1,100-metre long sandy beach and 13 floating berths.
The Ministry also signed a usufruct contract with National Phoenix Company to establish a project for white-legged shrimp in the Wilayat of Shinas in North Al Batinah Governorate. The project, which will cover an area of 15 hectares, stems from national efforts to enhance food security and diversify sources of income in line with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to enhance investments in non-oil sectors.
The project is expected to have an annual production of 7,500 tonnes of white leg shrimps, with an investment volume of OMR23.5 million.
© Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Oman strengthens food security through model farm programme
Dhank: More than 250 farms in Al Dhahirah Governorate have benefited from the Commercial Model Fields Program, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources in 2020 to promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security across the Sultanate, according to a report by Oman Daily. As part of the program, over 9,000 tissue-cultured date palm saplings and 6,000 high-quality fruit tree seedlings have been distributed to farmers across the governorate, covering more than 140 acres of cultivated land. The initiative supports economic-scale farms in all three wilayats of Al Dhahirah, helping them adopt modern irrigation systems and apply advanced agricultural practices. The program aims to improve productivity, raise the quality of local produce, and increase farmers' income through the cultivation of carefully selected fruit varieties, including mango, Eureka lemon, Omani lime, guava, fig, and grapes. It also encourages a shift toward water-efficient farming methods by requiring the installation of modern irrigation systems as a condition for support. According to the General Directorate of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah, the model farms serve as living examples of what sustainable and profitable agriculture can look like when guided by structured planning, smart technology, and continuous field support. The ministry works closely with farmers to provide technical guidance, regular follow-ups, and field inspections. This hands-on approach ensures that farms not only meet production targets but also operate efficiently and sustainably in the long term. Though currently focused on Al Dhahirah, the program extends to other governorates as part of Oman's broader agricultural development strategy. Officials emphasize that the ultimate goal is to enhance food security, reduce reliance on imports, and equip local farmers with the tools needed to compete in a modern agricultural landscape. By integrating best practices with practical support, the Model Fields Program is reshaping the farming sector—field by field—toward a more resilient, productive, and food-secure Oman.


Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
UAE participates in Beijing International Book Fair 2025
19 June 2025 23:17 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Ministry of Culture (MoC) is participating in the 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), taking place in the Chinese capital from June 18 to 22, 2025. The UAE's presence reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing global cultural dialogue and deepening its strategic partnership with the People's Republic of participation comes as part of the national pavilion 'UAE Pavilion', inaugurated in the presence of Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China; Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre; and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers event saw wide participation from federal and local government entities, academic institutions, and Emirati publishing houses, aiming to showcase facets of the UAE's creative landscape and deepen cultural and intellectual exchange with the People's Republic of UAE programme features a rich array of activities, including literary panels, traditional performances, children's reading and art workshops, and curated displays of Emirati publications. Visitors also learn about major national initiatives such as the Golden Visa recommendation service for creatives, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, the 'Kalimah' translation project, and grant programs supporting publishing and translation. These efforts underscore the Ministry's strategic investment in intellectual and cultural development.A dedicated Emirati Chinese Archive within the pavilion celebrates the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations, showcasing key moments of cooperation in publishing, translation, and the creative on the UAE's participation, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, states: 'Our presence at the Beijing International Book Fair affirms the UAE's commitment to fostering cultural connectivity and creating meaningful international partnerships, particularly in Asia. Culture is a vital strategic bridge that promotes understanding, mutual respect, and collaboration between peoples.'He adds: 'We believe that supporting publishers and creatives is an investment in the future of knowledge and in building a well-read, culturally aware, and globally connected society. With this vision in mind, the Ministry of Culture has empowered writers through the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. To date, the program has supported more than 30 Emirati creatives in the fields of authorship and publishing, including books, magazines, and digital media. This reflects the Ministry's broader commitment to sustaining and advancing local cultural production. Recognised as one of the world's premier literary events, the Beijing International Book Fair draws thousands of publishers, authors, and cultural professionals from across the globe. The event features a broad program of professional and public events, including the Chinese Book Award Ceremony, PubTech Conference, Artistic Publishing Forum, World Children's Book Forum, and Beijing International Illustration Forum, alongside specialised exhibitions such as the Beijing Picture Book Fair, International Art Book Fair, and Cookbook Fair.


Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
UAE records remarkable housing achievements with support exceeding Dhs63 billion
The UAE continues to make remarkable accomplishments in the federal housing sector, enhancing its leadership in urban development and social stability, and strengthening its position among the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life. In H1 2025, the UAE Cabinet approved housing decisions for over 1,838 citizens, totalling Dhs1.2 billion as part of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, which has provided assistance amounting to Dhs63 billion since its establishment to date. More than 93,000 Emirati citizens have benefited from this initiative so far, reflecting the country's commitment to empowering Emirati families and providing suitable housing as one of the key pillars of societal stability. In recent years, the programme has witnessed a series of strategic developments that have enhanced the effectiveness of the housing system, accelerated the process of obtaining housing support, and increased customer satisfaction. Additionally, there has been an expansion in partnerships with the banking sector and financial institutions, in line with the country's focus on financial sustainability and innovation in service delivery. Between 2021 and 2024, the programme achieved remarkable results in terms of performance indicators. The time required to obtain a housing support decision was reduced by more than 50%. The percentage of citizens owning homes increased to 91% - a 17% increase compared to 2017, while private sector funding accounted for 76% of the total, confirming the effectiveness of the adopted financial policies. Customer satisfaction surveys also showed that happiness levels regarding housing services doubled today—an increase of 100% compared to 2021—indicating a significant improvement in the efficiency of the government service system. In this context, the UAE Cabinet has approved a new financing policy for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme extending until 2041. The policy aims to issue 40,000 housing support decisions, divided into four phases. The first phase includes the issuance of 13,000 decisions at an estimated cost of Dhs11.5 billion, effectively doubling the number of annual decisions compared to previous years. This comes as part of the country's efforts to enhance resource sustainability and improve the efficiency of public spending. The new policy is based on an integrated model between the federal government and national banks, contributing to reducing the financial burden on the public treasury while providing flexible financing alternatives for citizens. Additionally, the Ministry launched several regulatory initiatives in cooperation with the Central Bank of the UAE to address challenges associated with implementing the new policy. These include the 'Flexible Loan,' which allows citizens to obtain housing finance that aligns with their financial capabilities, with the possibility of benefiting from the finance gap for up to four years. Another initiative is the 'Reuse of Housing Assistance Value,' enabling citizens to re-utilise the assistance in case their living conditions change. Moreover, the policy includes an 'Exemption of Retirement Contributions from Total Salary,' which enhances the process of assessing monthly income and expands opportunities for obtaining housing support. As part of the government's efforts to streamline procedures, the Ministry launched the 'Manzili' bundle, which was recognised in the Zero Bureaucracy Awards as the Best Team across the UAE Government in the 'Impact on People's Lives' category. The package contributed to reducing the number of entities a customer must deal with from 11 to just one, the number of procedures from 14 to three, and the required documents from 10 to just one. This was made possible through integration and coordination with 28 partner entities, resulting in saving over 9 million working hours, reducing fuel consumption by 55,000 liters, and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 586,000 kilograms—based on calculations for an estimated 5,000 users annually. The Ministry also launched the national platform 'Darak' as a unified window for offering advisory services and construction packages to citizens. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Possibilities, the Social Solidarity Fund for Ministry of Interior employees, and local housing programmes. In a new achievement that reflects the UAE's global standing in the housing sector, the country won the presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and secured membership in its Executive Board. This recognition strengthens the UAE's role in supporting international efforts in housing and sustainable urban planning. UN-Habitat is an international UN agency headquartered in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It works towards a better urban future, with a mission to ensure adequate shelter for all by promoting the sustainable development of human settlements in social and environmental dimensions. UN-Habitat includes a membership of 193 countries from around the world. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, 'Thanks to the directives of the UAE's wise leadership, the country continues to achieve significant milestones in the housing sector. The housing support decisions, during the first half of 2025, reflect the country's unwavering commitment to providing suitable housing for citizens, as it represents a fundamental pillar in the path of comprehensive development.' He added, 'These remarkable achievements are the result of a strategic vision in which government efforts are integrated with the banking sector under the new funding policy, aimed at empowering Emirati families, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring resource sustainability.' He pointed out that the Ministry, in the coming phase, aims to develop innovative housing projects that align with future needs, reinforce principles of sound financial management, and redefine traditional concepts of homeownership—contributing to improved quality of life, family stability, and the social and economic growth of the nation. For his part, Eng. Mohamed Al Mansouri, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, emphasised that these achievements reflect the forward-looking vision of the wise leadership, which places people at the heart of development plans. He noted that the programme is a fundamental pillar in empowering and stabilising Emirati families. He said, 'We continue working to develop a flexible and innovative federal housing system that integrates government and private sector efforts, aligns with citizens' aspirations, and enhances the UAE's global competitiveness in quality of life and urban development indicators.' WAM