Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Oman 2040: inspiring vision for the future

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Lakshmi Kothaneth -
lakshmiobserver@gmail.com -




It was in 1995 when, as a radio and television broadcast journalist, I attended the national conference on Vision 2020 for Oman. It was held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Today, for Vision 2040, we are in another prime property, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Many aspects that have been shaped today came from those points addressed as part of Vision 2020. The major points that struck were the diversification of the economy and increasing the role of tourism in its contribution to the nation’s GDP.
Now, we are listening to experts speak, panelists discuss and audience participate at Vision 2040. Many of the experts who had gathered momentum have retired but it was great to see them at the latest conference.
What was interesting, as a journalist friend noted, was while the parents were attending the main conference, their children were taking part in the youth platform of the vision and contributing in their own way.
The #Oman_2040 conference has also been in the minds of people through social media, which probably was not even thought about in 1995.
“Vision 2040 is a very bold and inspiring vision,” said Prof Kishore Mahbubani, Senior Adviser and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, a speaker at a panel on ‘Economic Cooperation and Integration and its importance in Achieving the Vision’.
Speaking to the Observer, he said, “The centre of gravity of world economy has been gradually shifting away from the Atlantic to the Pacific. So it is important when you plan your economy, you orient it towards the centre of gravity of today and not yesterday. Cities of the future are going to be Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Hanoi, Seoul and so on.”
He also says it is more than just technology. “Technology is human innovation. And innovation comes from developing human brain power. And the largest number of human brains that are being developed are also in Asia.”
Iman al Ghafari, Chairperson of Omani Women’s Association, who participated in the sessions, said that looking at some of the indicators that have been achieved in the Economic Vision 2020, she feels 2040 is more realistic.
“It understood the reasons for not achieving some of the goals of 2020. The main aspect has been the strategy input has been local and graduates from Oman with an international understanding. They also understand local elements and failures as well as success elements.”
“The most important thing about 2040 is we must look at it as an absolute plan but a forward plan. We should look at globalisation holistically. If it’s the age of Asia, we should look at the opportunities we can develop between Asia and Africa,” Iman said.
“Experts have pointed out that most of the businesses will come through the sea — logistics. We are right there and it is just a question of how we are going to do it. We have the best vision, but now I would love to see how we are going forward with the plan,” said Iman.
Vision 2040 looks at the role of private sector in implementing the aims. Shaikh Nasr bin Amer al Hosni, the session moderator, said, “Expectations seem to be that this vision is going to have a great impact on the economy. It all looks positive; all we have to do is apply it with five year plans and make sure KPIs are met.”
We need to move quickly, urged Al Hosni, “Because the world is changing around us. Unless we do so, it is a regional race for everyone to reengineer themselves and go forward.”
So here is to the vision and to the future!



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