Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik addressed the nation on the occasion of the Accession Day. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has announced a grant of RO178 million that will benefit more than 100,000 citizens.
A statement of the Diwan of Royal Court issued on the occasion of January 11, 2025, said, "Based on the keenness of His Majesty the Sultan to ensure a peaceful and dignified life for the people, and in celebration of the glorious fifth anniversary of His Majesty's accession to power, which falls on January 11, His Majesty has announced support for 100,000 citizens in low-income groups with a grant of RO178 million, which will be allocated by raising the financial allocations for the housing assistance program for the year 2025 and by strengthening the SME Development Authority portfolio.
There will be an increase of RO15 million to RO50 million in financial allocations for the housing assistance program in 2025 to cover more than 1,700 families.
The Government shall bear the remaining amounts for some categories of loans, as follows:
Housing loans with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Oman Housing Bank, and the Ministry of Defense for those whose salary or monthly pension is RO400 or less.
Housing loans with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Oman Housing Bank for those whose services were terminated from the private sector and whose monthly salary was RO400 or less.
Loans for non-performing and closed projects that were previously financed from Al-Raffd Fund.
Loans for non-performing and closed projects that were financed from the government loan portfolio of the Development Bank
Extending social and insurance protection to citizens in 2025 through the continuation of the payment of social security pensions this year. The concerned government agencies will study their cases for the benefit of supporting family income in the social protection system.
Payment of an additional pension to pensioners whose pensions are less than RO350.
Establishing marriage funds in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to help those wishing to marry and support them as per the regulations announced by the concerned authorities.
Allocations
RO5 million to enhance the portfolio of the SME Development Authority.
RO 11 million riyals to establish funds in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to help those wishing to marry be supported by the government. RO1 million to each fund.
RO27 million during this year to extend social and insurance protection to citizens by continuing to pay social security pensions (previously) to more than 26,000 families.
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