Engineering accreditation to be made mandatory for Oman work permits
Muscat: The Ministry of Labour has announced that, effective from 1 August 2025, all engineers working in the Sultanate of Oman will be required to obtain professional engineering accreditation in order to apply for or renew a work permit.
The Ministry called on all establishments and engineers currently working in the Sultanate — as well as prospective applicants — to apply for a professional classification certificate through the Oman Society of Engineers.
Work permits will only be issued or renewed upon submission of an accreditation certificate granted by the Engineering Sector Skills Unit.
The Ministry stressed that, after the implementation date, no work permits will be granted without this certification.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Personal Income Tax: A key step for revenue diversification, sustainable growth
Muscat: The Ministry of Economy affirmed that the implementation of the Personal Income Tax (PIT), set to take effect at the beginning of 2028, represents a crucial step toward enhancing financial stability and completing the fiscal sustainability framework. This measure aims to ensure sustainable financing for development across various sectors. Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, stated: 'The tax serves as a new revenue stream to diversify public income sources and mitigate risks associated with reliance on oil as the primary revenue source. It will help maintain current levels of social and service spending while preserving Oman's achievements in financial and economic stability under 'Oman Vision 2040' and its first executive phase, the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)." He explained that the (PIT) is a fiscal tool adopted by most countries worldwide as a key revenue source to fund state-provided services. Over 190 countries impose this tax, and in many, income taxes constitute the largest component of total tax revenues at federal and local levels, financing public goods and services. He noted that implementing the tax in Oman will yield significant economic benefits, supporting income diversification strategies and long-term fiscal stability as a pillar of economic growth. It, he added, will also sustain government revenues, strengthen the state's financial position, maintain credit ratings, and boost spending power for beneficiaries—directly stimulating aggregate demand and economic growth. He highlighted that oil and gas revenues account for 68% to 85% of Oman's total public income, depending on global energy prices. While oil prices have stabilised at favorable levels in recent years, they remain volatile. Oman has effectively managed additional oil revenues by reducing public debt to safe GDP ratios, increasing investment and social spending, and subsidizing essential goods and services, he further noted. He affirmed that government policies and initiatives have successfully shifted Oman's fiscal and economic trajectory toward sustainability and stability. Public debt has sharply declined, credit ratings have consistently improved to investment-grade levels, and Oman's standing in global competitiveness indices has risen. The Tenth Five-Year Plan sustained GDP growth near target rates, while economic diversification policies attracted quality investments and drove non-oil sector growth beyond expectations, the minister said. He added: 'As the Tenth Plan nears completion, Oman has advanced significantly in economic diversification and fiscal sustainability. The (PIT) will further prioritise financial stability by diversifying revenue sources—a strategic necessity to ensure equitable wealth distribution, enhance public services, strengthen social protection systems, and mitigate risks from global energy market fluctuations and other economic variables.' He emphasised that accelerating "Oman Vision 2040" and its economic diversification strategy—transitioning to a knowledge- and technology-driven economy—requires sustainable funding for long-term planning. The Vision targets strategic investments in education, human capital, advanced infrastructure, innovation, and diversified sectors, alongside essential services and social protection. He pointed out that the 2025 budget allocates over OMR5 billion (39% to education, 24% to health, 28% to social protection) to these sectors, with the Social Protection Fund benefiting over 2 million people monthly as a key mechanism for household financial stability. As for the potential economic impacts, He noted that the tax study assessed effects on GDP and 18 economic sectors, concluding minimal impact (under 1%) due to high exemption and low tax rates. Foreign investment is expected to remain unaffected, as the tax applies to individuals—not corporate entities—and Oman's rates remain competitive globally, the minister concluded.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
UTAS-Al Mussanah Honours Graduates and On-the-Job Training Partners
Under the patronage of Dr. Munia Mohammed Al-Farsi, Deputy Assistant Vice-Chancellor for E-Systems and Student Services, the Training and Career Guidance Center at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Al Mussanah, represented by the Graduate Follow-up and On-the-Job Training Sections, hosted the Second Graduates Gathering and Recognition Ceremony for Partner Institutions involved in the On-the-Job Training Program for the 2024/2025 academic year. The event took place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the university campus in Al Mussanah. During the ceremony, 20 institutions from the public and private sectors were honored for their contributions to the success of the OJT program and for providing students with real-world training opportunities. Special recognition was given to the Royal Navy of Oman, which accommodated over 100 student trainees across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years, making it one of the program's most active partners. The event also featured the Second Graduates Gathering, dedicated this year to university graduates currently employed at the Al Mussanah branch. The gathering fostered a warm and engaging environment filled with entertainment, and graduates -led activities that encouraged connection among attendees. In her remarks, Dr. Munia Al-Farsi praised the efforts of the partner institutions and emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with the labor market to enhance student capabilities and better align their professional readiness with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques and certificates of appreciation to the honored institutions, reaffirming the university's commitment to deepening partnerships and evolving its training and employment programs in line with national aspirations.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Meethaq's Shari'a Supervisory Board Approves Reports and Discusses Financing Transactions and Products
The Shari'a Supervisory Board (SSB) of Meethaq Islamic Banking from Bank Muscat held its second meeting for 2025 at the Bank's Head Office. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mubarak Al Abri, Chairman of the Board, and attended by other Board members, as well as senior representatives from the Sharia'a supervisory and audit departments. During the meeting, the Board Approving the Sharia Audit Report for Q2, the semi-annual Charity Report, Sharia Risk Control Report, and the activities of the Sharia'a Control Department. The SSB discussed several key themes, including structured financing transactions and new products that Meethaq intends to launch during the coming period. It also endorsed the Shariah certificate for separation of Meethaq funds. The regular meetings of the Sharia'a Supervisory Board play a vital role in deliberating on topics pertaining to Islamic transactions, business contracts and practices. These discussions enable the Board to formulate the necessary recommendations and resolutions to ensure compliance with Sharia'a principles. The Board is composed of scholars and experts in Islamic jurisprudence and contemporary economics. They are responsible for reviewing and approving all products, services, activities, investments, and transactions before they are implemented, as well as auditing them post-execution with the assistance of the Internal Shari'a Audit Department to ensure compliance with Shari'a principles as outlined in the Board's rulings and fatwas. Since its inception in 2012, Meethaq Islamic Banking from Bank Muscat has played a pivotal role in transforming the Islamic banking landscape in the Sultanate. Meethaq has contributed to the sector's growth by offering top-quality banking services, products, and facilities that align with Islamic Shari'a principles and cater to the diverse needs of individuals, institutions, and SMEs. All services are provided under the supervision of the Shari'a Supervisory Board and in line with the regulatory framework issued by the Central Bank of Oman for Islamic banks. Through its journey spanning over 12 years, Meethaq has continued to strengthen its leadership in Oman's Islamic banking sector. It has expanded its network to 32 branches and 20 Hafawa centers dedicated to premium banking services across various governorates in the Sultanate. Meethaq also operates over 50 cash deposit and withdrawal machines, with customers benefiting from access to Bank Muscat's extensive ATM network of approximately 900 machines across the country. Affirming its leadership in the field, Meethaq has earned numerous regional and international awards over the past years, recognizing the quality of its banking services and financial solutions. These accolades include the "Best Investment Bank in Oman Award" from Islamic Finance News (IFN), "Best Digital Bank" and "Market Leadership" Awards from Global Finance, and "Best Islamic Window in Oman Award" as part of the Thimar Excellence Awards from The Arabian Stories. These recognitions underscore Meethaq's status as a leading institution in Islamic banking and its ongoing commitment to delivering Shari'a-compliant banking solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers.
