40 YEARS -
By Maurice Gent -
Figures published this week on planning for more jobs are decidedly promising. The Supreme Main Committee for Five Year Development Plans met under the Chairmanship of HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers. It considered plans for the immediate future — the period between 2011 and 2015.
It discussed priorities — how best to focus on areas of high importance both for the economy and the citizens of Oman. Their guiding principle was to put together vital and affordable projects, which could come under the 2011-15 plan, and ensure continued development for all parts of the Sultanate.
An important principle was to agree on projects, which would help in the vital cause of job creation.
The nation’s infrastructure is to be improved along with health, social care and education services.
Both the Ministries of National Economy and the Finance Ministries are being involved in the forward planning.
Importantly it has also been decided to develop a wide range of projects in both agriculture and fisheries. This is vital not only for jobs. It is a question of the nation’s character and identity.
Industrial development and the building of more roads and airports are of course necessary. But Oman is a nation with a proud past, which has relied on its farming and fishing communities to provide food and sustenance.
The plan being put forward for the years up to 2015 is part of Vision 2020, a grand plan put together in the 1990s, to chart Oman’s future growth.
It has so far proved invaluable in co-ordinating planning targets and ensuring that there was no sudden thoughtless rush for growth.
It has avoided the pitfalls of financial extravagance and attempting projects, which did not make good sense when considering the welfare of the whole nation.
As we reflect this Eid on the immediate future and the celebration plans for the 40th Anniversary of the Renaissance we can be confident that while we celebrate 40 years of progress we can also be sure that the years ahead are being planned for in a constructive manner, which will create greater prosperity and strength for the nation.