Oman, UK explore means of boosting cooperation
Muscat — Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received in his office today David Lammy, UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
During the meeting, the two ministers affirmed the joint desire to follow up all areas of cooperation and means of promoting them to serve the joint interests.
The two sides also emphasized the importance of continued consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all efforts that would strengthen the foundations of regional security, stability and peace. They also supported resolving issues through dialogue and diplomatic means, ensuring greater benefits for all countries and peoples.
The Foreign Minister underlined Oman's support for negotiations aimed at finalizing a free trade agreement between the GCC countries and the United Kingdom.
The meeting was attended by Munthir Mahfoudh Al Manthri, Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Dr. Lianne Sanders, UK Ambassador to Oman.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
18 minutes ago
- Observer
GCC workshop strengthens digital economy data systems
MUSCAT: A regional workshop on e-commerce and digital economy statistics commenced in Muscat on Monday, bringing together experts and officials from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to enhance statistical capabilities and promote data-driven policy development. Organised by the Gulf Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), the two-day event is part of wider efforts to support economic integration and improve the accuracy and transparency of digital economy data in the region. Intisar bint Abdullah al Wahaibi, Director General of GCC-Stat, said the rapid rise of e-commerce has transformed global economic activity, and the Gulf region has been an active participant in this shift. This growth has been supported by robust digital infrastructure, population expansion, and ambitious national strategies for digital transformation. She noted that GCC-Stat is working through its Trade Cooperation Committee to develop a unified mechanism for measuring e-commerce across the GCC, as part of implementing the GCC Unified Strategic Framework for E-Commerce. Dr Hajar al Hadawi, Director-General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, highlighted the importance of accurate and timely digital statistics in understanding the evolving business environment. he stated that such data are crucial for assessing the impact of digital transformation, identifying challenges, and creating opportunities to stimulate innovation, empower SMEs, generate employment, and promote inclusion in the digital economy. Dr al Hadawi also expressed interest in deeper cooperation with national statistical bodies in the GCC to develop common indicators and regional benchmarks that align with global standards. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global e-commerce sales reached $27 trillion in 2022, marking a 60 percent increase from 2016. In the GCC, the e-commerce market is expected to grow to $33.3 billion by 2025 and $46.1 billion by 2029, expanding at an average rate of 10 per cent annually. The first day of the workshop featured two key sessions. The first session focused on defining and measuring e-commerce and digital economic activities, outlining how data can be collected and analysed based on transactions conducted through digital platforms. The second session introduced a GCC-Stat project aimed at building a unified statistical database for the digital economy. It also reviewed current practices among GCC countries, available data sets, and gaps in national capacities for digital economy measurement. The event is attended by representatives from the GCC General Secretariat, national statistical offices, ministries of commerce, central banks, and other government entities. — ONA
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Responsibility of legislative councils to uphold humanitarian concepts stressed
Muscat: The Shura Council on Monday participated in the Gulf-European Parliamentary Meeting held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with the participation of the heads of Shura, National, and Parliamentary Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, along with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by both sides to activate channels of constructive dialogue and enhance cooperation on various shared concerns. During the meeting, Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council and head of the delegation, delivered an address in which he said: 'The wise directives and forward-looking vision of the leaders of the GCC serve as a guiding compass for our legislative bodies in such forums. These gatherings aim to strengthen cohesion among our nations and institutions, deepen partnerships with regional and international counterparts, and work towards common goals. Inspired by this vision, we seek to enhance coordination, exchange experiences, and reinforce bilateral ties that contribute to economic and developmental integration, supporting a more prosperous and stable future for our countries.' He commended the outcomes of the joint final communiqué of the first EU-GCC Leaders' Summit, titled 'Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity,' and lauded the results of the GCC-European Parliamentary Committee meeting with the Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula in the European Parliament. He emphasised the importance of this parliamentary channel in promoting ties between the EU and the GCC, particularly through enhanced cooperation in economic and development sectors to achieve sustainable growth. He further highlighted the need to expand collaboration across areas such as climate change, regional security, and humanitarian assistance in crisis regions. He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian access, and serious efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative—ensuring the right of peoples to live in freedom, dignity, and safety, with full respect for fundamental human rights. Concluding his remarks, Al Maawali said: 'We express our concern over the recent developments between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, which threaten regional stability and undermine international efforts—particularly those led by the United States and Iran—to reach a peaceful agreement. We believe that the responsibility of parliaments and legislative councils extends beyond lawmaking and oversight; it includes defending humanitarian values and opposing aggressive policies that violate international law and the UN Charter. Therefore, we urge national, regional, and international parliaments to take clear and responsible stances that contribute to de-escalation, support peaceful solutions, and protect peoples' rights to security, sovereignty, and stability.' The joint meeting focused on key priority areas, including food and energy security, climate change, the shift to renewable and clean energy sources, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, and the role of advanced technologies in promoting sustainable development. Participants praised the strength of the strategic partnership between the GCC and the European Union, founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests aimed at enhancing security, stability, development, and prosperity for both sides. They stressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts to develop cooperative frameworks for addressing urgent challenges such as climate change, energy security, sustainable development, counterterrorism, and promoting universal human values of coexistence and tolerance. On the sidelines of the meeting, the rapid and concerning developments in Gaza and the Middle East were addressed. Both sides stressed the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including healthcare institutions, in accordance with international law. They warned of the grave consequences of the current escalation and its impact on global peace and regional stability. The participants called for an immediate halt to violations, protection of lives, and the secure and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They demanded a ceasefire in the territory and the release of hostages and detainees, affirming that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to a just and comprehensive peace. The Gulf-European dialogue also touched on international efforts to end the war in Ukraine, reiterating commitment to resolving the conflict. They welcomed the contributions of GCC countries in supporting ceasefire efforts, enhancing maritime security in the Black Sea, and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including prisoner exchanges and family reunification. The war, they agreed, continues to cause widespread humanitarian suffering and increases the fragility of regional security. In view of the current geopolitical dynamics in the Gulf region, both sides emphasised the need to de-escalate tensions, contain conflicts, exercise wisdom, and prioritise diplomacy and dialogue as essential tools for maintaining regional and international peace and security. They expressed a strong desire to sustain this constructive strategic dialogue, acknowledging the pivotal role parliaments play in advancing Gulf-European relations. It is worth noting that the joint Gulf-European Parliamentary Meeting reflects a sincere commitment from both sides to elevate relations to new levels of depth and inclusivity through active parliamentary diplomacy, enhanced political coordination, and the development of economic, technological, and social cooperation—aligned with the aspirations of the peoples and nations of the GCC and the European Union for a future of greater peace, security, and prosperity. The Shura Council delegation to the meeting included Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of the Shura Council, and Jamal Ahmed Al Abri, Council Member.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Regional workshop in Muscat highlights e‑commerce and digital economy statistics
Muscat: The activities of the regional workshop on e-commerce and digital economy statistics commenced here on Monday. The event, organised by the Statistical Centre for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-Stat), brings together representatives from the GCC General Secretariat, national statistical agencies, ministries of commerce, central banks, and other government bodies across the GCC countries. The two-day workshop aims to strengthen national statistical capacities in collecting and analysing data related to e-commerce and the digital economy, ultimately supporting data-driven economic policy-making and advancing GCC statistical integration. Intisar Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director General of the GCC Statistical Center, noted that recent years have witnessed rapid changes in the global economic landscape driven by the rise of e-commerce, which is becoming a key engine of the digital economy. She highlighted that the Gulf region has experienced fast-paced growth in this area, fueled by advanced digital infrastructure, a young population, and the adoption of national digital transformation strategies. She cited UNCTAD reports indicating that global e-commerce sales exceeded $27 trillion in 2022, a nearly 60 per cent increase since 2016. Regionally, the GCC e-commerce market is expected to reach $33.3 billion in 2025 and $46.1 billion by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 10 per cent. She stressed that while this digital boom offers many benefits, it also presents challenges in accurately and effectively measuring such rapidly evolving activity. She emphasised the growing need for reliable, timely data to assess e-commerce's contribution to GDP, monitor the digital divide, and support sound economic policymaking. She also explained that the GCC Committee for Commercial Cooperation has tasked the Statistical Centre with developing an integrated mechanism for building e-commerce indicators, publishing information, and enhancing transparency. This effort forms part of the executive plan for achieving the strategic objectives of the GCC's unified framework for e-commerce. The recommendation was reinforced in successive meetings with the GCC e-commerce working group, which began its work in 2023. On her turn, Dr. Hajar El Haddaoui, Director General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, affirmed that digital data has become the cornerstone for policymaking, sustainable development, and enabling individuals and businesses to participate effectively in the digital space. She stated that the Organisation believes accurate and up-to-date digital statistics are essential for measuring the impact of digital transformation and identifying challenges and opportunities in the digital business environment. She praised the efforts of the GCC Statistical Centre in developing the statistical infrastructure for e-commerce and expressed a desire to strengthen collaboration with statistical and relevant bodies across GCC countries to develop unified indicators and standards that can be adopted regionally and globally. She noted that enhancing the ability to measure the digital economy is not just a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for building an inclusive, thriving digital economy, one that can generate employment, foster innovation, support SME growth, and ensure the inclusion of all segments of society, including women and youth, in future opportunities. The first session of the workshop introduced the concept of measuring e-commerce and the digital economy. It explained that measuring e-commerce, essential for understanding the sector and crafting effective economic and trade policies, involves collecting and analysing data on commercial activities conducted via electronic channels. This includes sales of goods and services through digital platforms, whether between businesses, between businesses and consumers, or among consumers themselves. It also covers transaction volume and value, types of goods and services traded, platforms used (websites, apps, social media), and consumer behaviour patterns. Measuring the digital economy involves systematically assessing the various components of technology-driven economic activity. This includes digital infrastructure, software, artificial intelligence applications, digital platforms, and ICT-based job roles. The session also addressed the importance of measuring e-commerce and the digital economy in the GCC, the operational definitions of both concepts, and the role of measurement in supporting policy development, economic diversification, and regional cooperation. The second session reviewed the GCC Statistical Centre's project on e-commerce and the digital economy. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of digital and economic data across GCC countries by establishing a unified statistical foundation for e-commerce and digital economy metrics. The project is expected to improve coordination among member states and develop indicators based on established international standards.
