Abs
18-11-05, 04:35 PM
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In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation. The government is privatizing its utilities and diversifying its economy to attract foreign investment. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2000. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence on foreign countries, the government is encouraging the replacement of expatriate workers with local people, i.e., Omanization. Training in information technology, business management, and English support this objective. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.
There is no Omani legislative assembly, though there are two consultative bodies called the Majlis al-Dawla and the Majlis al-Shura. Together, the two chambers form the Council of Oman. The Majlis al-Dawla is appointed, while the Majlis al-Shura is elected. The last election was held in October 2003.
CIA Factbook (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mu.html#People)
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation. The government is privatizing its utilities and diversifying its economy to attract foreign investment. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2000. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence on foreign countries, the government is encouraging the replacement of expatriate workers with local people, i.e., Omanization. Training in information technology, business management, and English support this objective. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.
There is no Omani legislative assembly, though there are two consultative bodies called the Majlis al-Dawla and the Majlis al-Shura. Together, the two chambers form the Council of Oman. The Majlis al-Dawla is appointed, while the Majlis al-Shura is elected. The last election was held in October 2003.
CIA Factbook (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mu.html#People)