When rose loses freshness in a marriage
Saleh Al Shaibany - saleh_shaibany@yahoo.com - Marriage can be nurtured in many different ways, but in a life we lead today where time takes precedence over everything else, we have very little...
Social media businesses must be encouraged
The social media offers a wider trade interaction for business starters and there is a genuine need to encourage such enterprising. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a...
Why news continues to dominate our lives
I was in a social gathering when an old man, well in his nineties, asked me what kind of work I did. When I told him I was a journalist, his hand stopped midway over a plate of dates, lowered it on...
What does it take to attract foreign investments in Oman?
Attracting foreign investments to the country has always been a challenge and Oman now needs a new perspective to explore alternative methods to pull in international funds. Thirty five years after...
Inflation bites deep for private sector employees
Thousands of workers in the private sector feel the pinch as inflation in Oman is starting to bite deep into their pay packets as cost of living rises. Inflation is not a problem for the civil...
A simple act of kindness can go a long way
Saleh Al shaibany - saleh_shaibany@yahoo.com - It is funny how a simple act of kindness can change your mood. I was sitting alone feeling very sorry for myself when someone called me. I was not in...
Will military service work well for development?
There is a sense of desolation and hopelessness among the growing number of graduates and even school drop outs. Two years of military training will boost their confidence, keep them out of mischief...
Parents have a challenging role to play
Saleh Al Shaibany - saleh_shaibany@yahoo.com - As a parent, sometimes you don’t need to look far if your children misbehave. If you want them to behave like little angels, then you need to show...
Reviving traditional trades to create opportunities
Oman has a unique tradition in handicrafts and the Sultanate must be aggressive to promote rural industries heritage to create business opportunities for people living outside Muscat. Oman’s economy...
Captivated by the twilight on the seaside
I rested on the bench when I was tired of walking. Two dogs walked side by side past me. One of them stopped and came back. It wagged its tail in front of me and looked at me. Then walked to my feet...
Muscat Airport, Modern College forge partnership for new airport operation
MUSCAT, FEB 17 - As Muscat International Airport is preparing for the opening of its new operations on March 20, officials have turned to academic partnership tapping the skills and know-how of a...
The government takes zero tolerance on corruption
SALEH AL SHAIBANY - saleh_shaibani@yahoo.com - As Oman is trying to clean up the private sector of graft, the government is on the right track to control malpractice of business and trade. Recently,...
The endless entertainment in the graveyard
Then I was walking in the graveyard last week, a weird thought crossed my mind. I convinced myself, right there and then, is that the greatest tragedy is not when we are going to die but how we live...
What we can learn from our surroundings
Many thoughts passed my head as I was taking a brisk walk on the waterfront. Then it occurred to me that my maze of thoughts was shadowing the pleasure of being in the outdoors. I took a deep breath...
Why is Oman not using local-based consultants?
SALEH AL SHAIBANY - saleh_shaibani@yahoo.com - It is about time now both the private and public sectors begin to have faith on Omani consultants instead of hiring foreign experts in new projects and...
Away from hustle and bustle of jungle called city
I was about to push my shopping trolley away when a toddler walked in front of me. It was a busy time in the mall and this little girl obviously wandered away from her parents. She must have been two...
The haunting conscience of the missed opportunity
My wife and I were rushing to visit a patient in a hospital when a woman standing in a car park stretched a hand trying to sell us frankincense in a plastic bag. I reached out for my wallet but my...
Marathon — A big boost to local businesses, tourism
Muscat, Jan 20 - The Al Mouj Muscat’s annual marathon has now become an important calendar in the country’s sporting event and it is generating income to local business people as well as boosting...
Banks’ profitability to revive market confidence
The Omani financial institutions have recorded good balance sheet in 2017 that would spur growth in the local investments and trades. Local banks have proved that, despite the low oil prices that...
Spare a moment, give a patient hearing
Someone I never knew sent me a message and asked if I had a few minutes to meet him for coffee. My first inclination was to refuse since I needed a quiet time with myself that evening. But then my...