Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
The Office of Oman’s Shura Council held its sixth regular meeting of the current annual session and reviewed several official replies from government bodies to questions and follow-up requests raised by Council members. The meeting was chaired by Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, and focused on important national issues linked to development and public welfare.
During the meeting, members reviewed the response from the Council of Ministers to a proposal calling for the introduction of a long-term cultural visa that would be valid for ten years. The idea aims to support cultural exchange and long-term engagement with Oman. The Council also discussed the government’s reply regarding the improvement of telecommunication services in the Sultanate, where it was confirmed that continuous efforts are being made to upgrade infrastructure and service quality to match fast global changes.
The Council Office also examined a response from the Projects, Tenders and Local Content Authority about ensuring that at least 10 percent of government purchases and tenders are allocated to small and medium enterprises, supporting local businesses and job creation. In addition, members reviewed follow-up requests related to Omanization in cybersecurity roles, highlighting the importance of increasing local employment in advanced technical fields.
Other key topics included a briefing request to the Minister of Social Development about creating a strong social security system for families facing job losses or financial hardship. The meeting also discussed requests sent to the Ministers of Health and Education on preventive steps to reduce the spread of seasonal viruses in communities and schools, aiming to protect public health and ensure safer learning environments.
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