MUSCAT: HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, inaugurated the fourth edition of the 'Together We Progress' forum, organised annually by the Secretariat-General of the Council of Ministers in compliance with the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to enhance communication between the government and society and to listen to citizens’ opinions, suggestions and identify their aspirations.
Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, said that the forum has become an annual platform for constructive dialogue and strengthening community partnership. He added that the ideas and visions presented in the previous editions, which have been implemented, reflect the spirit of the forum, which is based on collaborative work. He noted that the Oman Vision 2040 theme received the highest number of votes, while the labour market and employment topic were the most requested by citizens among the open proposals.
He noted that the forum witnessed high turnout with about 8,600 citizens registering on the e-platform, and more than 2,000 citizens representing different society segments participating in the sessions.
The two-day event, brought together citizens, senior officials and experts from across Oman to discuss national development priorities and the future direction of the economy.
MAJOR CHANGES
During the main session on Oman Vision 2040, Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Minister of Economy, reviewed the major changes that the national economy has undergone since the launch of the Vision. He said that the government had worked along parallel tracks, restoring financial stability while building strong systems to follow up on implementation, and had launched national programmes to support economic diversification, employment and digital transformation.
Dr Al Jabri also highlighted efforts to expand technical and vocational education so that graduates are better prepared for the labour market needs. He stressed the importance of strengthening decentralisation in the governorates and modernising legal and regulatory frameworks to make the business environment more supportive of investment and growth.
Speaking at the session, Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Economic Adviser at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Investment Affairs, outlined the role of the office in overseeing the country’s economic strategy. He said it is responsible for monitoring overall performance, following progress in non-oil sectors, identifying challenges and proposing solutions.
Dr Al Saqri added that continuous dialogue with the private sector and long-term future planning are essential to improving competitiveness. He noted that the office works to balance development spending with financial sustainability, while also preparing for global economic changes that could affect national priorities.
ECONOMIC SECTORS
Alongside the discussion sessions, the forum featured a large exhibition that visually presented Oman Vision 2040 and the five-year development plans. Displays highlighted the priority economic sectors, including manufacturing, tourism and the digital economy, as well as planning timelines, national performance indicators and future labour-market needs.
The exhibition also focused on major transformation areas such as renewable energy, innovation, research and human-capital development. Visitors were able to learn about government initiatives aimed at raising productivity, improving public services and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Several participating bodies showcased programmes designed to support businesses and entrepreneurs. Among them was the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which presented initiatives to help companies improve competitiveness and expand into regional and international markets. The SMEs authority (riyada) also outlined its advisory, training and financing services for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
After the main presentations, an open dialogue session with the audience drew strong participation. Citizens raised questions about empowering governorates, benefiting from retirees’ experience, protecting job stability, improving living standards and ensuring that economic projects directly support household incomes.
Other questions focused on how foreign investment can remain resilient amid global change and how national talent can be developed in key sectors such as health, technology and industry.
Officials responding to the questions stressed the need for realistic indicators to measure the real impact of development policies on daily life. They emphasised that local planning must reflect the specific needs of each governorate and that economic programmes should be closely linked to job creation and skills development.
Speakers also explained that Oman is preparing for international economic shifts through forward-looking studies and scenario planning, while continuing to improve the business environment by simplifying procedures and encouraging high-quality investment. The role of the private sector, they said, is central to future growth, as it continues to expand its contribution to employment and innovation.
ROLE OF CITIZENS
Throughout the discussions, officials repeatedly underlined that the forum is part of a broader effort to strengthen communication between government and society, increase transparency and involve citizens in shaping development policies. This approach, they said, helps ensure that national strategies remain closely connected to public expectations and regional priorities.
The “Together We Advance” forum comes at a time when Oman is accelerating efforts to diversify its economy, attract long-term investment and prepare a skilled workforce capable of leading future growth. Participants agreed that sustained dialogue, strong institutions and community engagement will remain key pillars in turning long-term visions into practical outcomes.
The event will continue over the coming days with further sessions on investment, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and public-sector performance, as organisers seek to transform the wide range of ideas and proposals discussed into initiatives that support Oman’s long-term development goals.
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