Latest news with #MinisterialResolution
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Oman Bans Bird Imports From 8 Nations Over Health Risks
Oman has announced an extensive ban on the import of live birds and related poultry products from eight countries, citing public health and veterinary safety concerns. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources issued Ministerial Resolution No. 144/2025, which prohibits the entry of live birds, their derivatives, products, and offal from regions across Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa. The directive, taken as precautionary veterinary measures, goes into effect immediately. Among the affected areas are Victoria in Australia; Bong County in Liberia; Kayseri Province in Turkey; Changhua, Chiayi, Tainan, and Yunlin in Taiwan; Masovia, Warmian-Masuria, Pomerania, and Greater Poland in Poland; the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil; Durres in Albania; and Pampanga and Camarines Sur in the Philippines. The resolution was enacted under the authority of the Veterinary Quarantine Law, issued by Royal Decree No. 45/2004, and its accompanying regulations under Ministerial Resolution No. 107/2008. The ministry stated that the decision follows guidance from the competent veterinary authority and will remain in force until the risk of animal-borne disease is adequately mitigated and a formal order to lift the ban is issued. The ministry clarified that exemptions will apply to bird products and derivatives that have undergone heat treatment or other processing compliant with the Terrestrial Animal Health Code established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Also read: Oman Arrests 47 Expat Women For Immoral Acts
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Omani-Bahraini Friendship Society elects new BoD
Rudaina bint Amer al Hajriyah has been re-elected to be the president of the Oman Bahrain Friendship Association for the second time while Sheikha Jawaher bint Khalifa al Khalifa was elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Association for the period from 2025 to 2028 at its regular meeting attended by board members and representatives from the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain held at the Diplomatic Club. The meeting, which affirmed renewed confidence, reviewed 2025 plan to enhance bilateral cooperation and discussed key topics related to strengthening bilateral relations and developing cooperation programmes between the two countries. Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Jahouri was elected as Secretary-General and Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ardi as Treasurer. The Board of Directors also included, from the Omani side: Shaikh Omar bin Ali al Junaibi, Mohammed bin Abdullah al Kharousi and Abdullah bin Mohammed al Ajmi. From the Bahraini side: Yousef Salahuddin Ibrahim, Janat Hassan Musa Shafiei, Ali Kazim Ahmed al Mousawi, Zahraa Baqer and Mohammed Hassan Abdul Hussein al Wazir. The formation of the association's standing committees was also approved and their chairpersons appointed: the Economic Committee, chaired by Abdullah bin Saleh al Shanfari; the Membership and Affiliation Committee, chaired by Manar Malallah al Balushi; the Communication and Media Committee, chaired by Maryam bint Ghaleb al Alawi; the Programmes and Events Committee, chaired by Shihab bin Ahmed al Mujaini; and the Sports Committee, chaired by Captain Ismail al Ajmi. The society was established in 2022 pursuant to Ministerial Resolution No 19/2022 issued by the Omani Foreign Ministry, with the aim of building bridges of cooperation and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the Omani and Bahraini people in various fields, at the official, popular, or social levels. Since its founding, Rudaina al Hajri has been leading the association with a strategic vision focused on economic sectors, opening up investment opportunities between the two countries, sustainable development, arts and culture, empowering the role of women, cultural exchange, youth and sports activities; and community outreach, in addition to publishing information on various media outlets to introduce the two peoples to their rich shared heritage. The 2024 annual report and final accounts were reviewed at the meeting, along with the association's 2025 work plan, besides discussing the approved membership mechanism and ratified the final proposal for naming the standing committees, appointing their chairpersons and determining the mechanisms for their activation.
Observer
01-06-2025
- Health
- Observer
Health ministry unveils ad norms for medicines
To enhance public health safeguards and ensure ethical, accurate representation of pharmaceutical products, the Ministry of Health on Sunday issued Ministerial Resolution No 135/2025, which specifies the conditions and procedures for advertising or promoting medicines. The resolution bans advertising or promoting medicines by any entity other than pharmaceutical companies, local agents, or pharmaceutical consulting offices, with the exception of scientific offices, unless they have obtained prior authorisation from the Drug Safety Centre (DSC). To obtain a licence, the medicine must be officially registered and that the advertisement content be consistent with the internal leaflet and the Summary of Drug Properties (SmPC) specifying the target groups for the advertisement. According to the decision, the advertisement must also adhere to public order and public morals and be free of any content that could harm public health or contain misleading information, exaggerations or insults to other medicines in accordance with the DSC's approved advertising guide. The DSC allows a period not exceeding 60 days to review and decide on the licence application. Failure to respond within this period shall be considered a rejection of the application. In case of missing documents or information, the applicant will be notified and given 30 days to complete the missing information, otherwise, the application will be cancelled. The applicant may submit a new application 30 days after the date of the rejection decision. The licence term is set at 3 months, renewable with the same conditions. The renewal application must be submitted at least 20 days before the licence expires. The decision allows for the submission of a grievance to the Minister of Health within 60 days of the rejection decision. A decision must be made within 30 days. Failure to decide within this period constitutes a rejection of the grievance. The DSC also has the right to suspend the licence if health risks or the drug's ineffectiveness are identified.
Observer
01-06-2025
- Health
- Observer
MoH bans unauthorized medicine commercials
Muscat: The Ministry of Health on Sunday issued Ministerial Resolution No 135/2025, which specifies the conditions and procedures for advertising or promoting medicines. The resolution bans advertising or promoting medicines by any entity other than pharmaceutical companies, local agents, or pharmaceutical consulting offices, with the exception of scientific offices, unless they have obtained prior authorization from the Drug Safety Centre (DSC). In order to obtain a license, the resolution requires that the medicine be officially registered and that the advertisement content be consistent with the internal leaflet and the Summary of Drug Properties (SmPC) specifying the target groups for the advertisement. According to the decision, the advertisement must also adhere to public order and public morals and be free of any content that could harm public health or contain misleading information, exaggerations or insults to other medicines in accordance with the DSC's approved advertising guide. The DSC allows a period not exceeding 60 days to review and decide on the license application. Failure to respond within this period shall be considered a rejection of the application. In case of missing documents or information, the applicant will be notified and given 30 days to complete the missing information, otherwise the application will be cancelled. The applicant may submit a new application 30 days after the date of the rejection decision. The license term is set at 3 months, renewable with the same conditions. The renewal application must be submitted at least 20 days before the license expires. The decision allows for the submission of a grievance to the Minister of Health within 60 days of the rejection decision. A decision must be made within 30 days. Failure to decide within this period constitutes a rejection of the grievance. The DSC also has the right to suspend the license if health risks or the drug's ineffectiveness are identified.
Observer
27-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman launches national company to regulate mineral exports and boost revenues
MUSCAT: In a significant move to optimise the economic potential of its mineral wealth, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals has announced the establishment of Oman Minerals Trading Company as the central authority to oversee the marketing and export of mineral resources from the Sultanate of Oman. The initiative is formalised through Ministerial Resolution No 18/2025, issued by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. The resolution marks a key step in reforming the mineral management system and aligns with Oman Vision 2040's goal of sustainable, diversified economic growth. It aims to address existing structural challenges in the mineral sector — such as fragmented marketing, price instability and the dominance of intermediaries — by centralising export control under a national entity. KEY PROVISIONS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND MARKET STABILITY Under the new regulation, gypsum and chrome ore exports will be strictly monitored. Export of raw chrome ore will require a minimum concentration of 36%, while processed ore can be exported at any concentration upon Ministry approval. Local market needs will be prioritised before exports are approved, a policy that supports domestic manufacturing and ensures stability in local supply chains. The regulation also seeks to standardise contracts, enhance negotiation leverage with international buyers and improve pricing transparency for Omani ores — factors that have historically impacted competitiveness despite strong production levels. In 2024 alone, Oman produced about 14 million tons of gypsum across 15 licensed sites and 300,000 tonnes of chrome ore from 29 licensees. However, revenue gains have been diluted by inconsistent marketing and a lack of pricing discipline. STRATEGIC ROLE OF OMAN MINERALS TRADING COMPANY As a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman, the new trading firm will manage exports, unify contract terms, enforce quality specifications and negotiate international sales. This professionalised approach is expected to lift the average price of Omani minerals and boost national income. Dr Salah bin Hafiz al Dhahab, Director General of Investments at the Ministry, described the move as a 'pivotal milestone,' adding that it enables the government to streamline the export process, reduce price manipulation and better monitor sectoral returns. The decision is also designed to: a. Improve the efficiency of logistics and export operations. b. Increase transparency and curb rent-seeking behaviour. c. Support SMEs involved in supply chains. d. Create more jobs and promote local content through in-country value (ICV) initiatives. The resolution falls under the Ministry's broader 'Majd' initiative, which aims to evaluate and enhance local content across the energy and minerals sectors. Companies will be required to submit ICV plans and support domestic manufacturing activities that add value to raw mineral exports. ONE-YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD To ensure a smooth shift, a one-year transitional period has been granted. During this time, companies can conclude existing contracts and adapt to the new system. The Ministry also plans to conduct orientation and training workshops to support stakeholders and build internal capacity. Dr Al Dhahab emphasised that the transformation reflects the Ministry's broader institutional reform following the merger of energy and minerals portfolios. 'With clearer policies, enhanced geological databases and improved investor privileges, we are creating a transparent and regulated business environment that meets the goals of Oman Vision 2040,' he noted. By streamlining mineral exports and empowering a centralised entity, Oman aims to attract more reliable investments, strengthen national industries and secure better returns from its abundant mineral resources.
