The puzzle of Oman Cement
One would think that there would be a premium on cement in the Middle East with the volume of ongoing construction. Such was the demand, that the Omani government banned export of locally produced cement in 2004. The only two cement factories in Jordan, owned by the Jordan Cement Factories Company (JCFC), increased their prices by 25% in April, to cover increasing costs at the two plants.
A Gulf News report at the beginning of May showed that, ironically, cement stocks fell across in Kuwait and the UAE, because quarterly results from cement companies were disappointing. It seems that these companies are investing in the local stock exchanges as well as producing cement.
Now that Consolidated Contractors Oman, a subsidiary of the Saudi family firm, CCC, have won the contract to build the Wadi Dayqah surface dam, one would expect the demand for cement to rise even further in the Sultanate.
A Gulf News report at the beginning of May showed that, ironically, cement stocks fell across in Kuwait and the UAE, because quarterly results from cement companies were disappointing. It seems that these companies are investing in the local stock exchanges as well as producing cement.
Now that Consolidated Contractors Oman, a subsidiary of the Saudi family firm, CCC, have won the contract to build the Wadi Dayqah surface dam, one would expect the demand for cement to rise even further in the Sultanate.
The perambulations of Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah
Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, has finally returned to Muscat after two weeks of extensive travelling and meetings with high-ranking foreign ministers and officials.
Before he left, he held meetings with Alexander Sultanov, deputy foreign minister in the Russian Federation, and his accompanying delegation in Muscat on 16th April
On 22nd April in Washington DC, he met with Condoleezza Rice. A major area of discussion would probably have been a lack of progress over the US-Oman FTA, which has hit problems with objections in the US over Oman's labour laws, although the talks were said to have extended to 'regional and international areas of common concern.'
On 26th April in London, he held talks with Jack Straw, Britain's Foreign Minister
And on 28th April in Berlin, he had discussions with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister.
Finally, the Oman Observer reported that he and his delegation had met Austria's foreign minister, Ursula Plassnik, and Mohammed El Baradei, DG of the IAEA, in Vienna on 2nd May. Austria currently holds the EU presidency.
Given the current situation in the Gulf, one can but presume that Alawi was sharing points of view and information on the subject with his counterparts in the US and Europe. He may also have been gathering information to brief His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and accompanying delegation to the forthcoming AGCC summit in Riyadh, which is to discuss the reaction and policies of the Gulf States towards Iran.
Another major matter of concern to Oman's foreign minister in his recent talks overseas could have been the financial plight of the Hamas government in Palestine, as a result of the political deadlock caused by the West's opposition to Hamas.
Khaled Meshaal, head of the political office of Hamas, was in Oman at the beginning of April, where he was promised wholehearted support for the Palestinian people by Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood Al Said, but not specifically financial aid.
The Khaleej Times reported these remarks from Meshaal to the Oman News Agency: "A lack of resources and aid poses a big challenge, especially in the light of hesitancy of many international players to support the newly-elected government."
The Oman Observer of 5th May has published an unattributed report that a British proposal to set up a trust fund to help pay overdue salaries directly to employees of the Palestinian Authority, could be blocked by the Bush Administration.
The Sub-Committee on NATO Partnerships visited the Sultanate of Oman on 1-3 April 2006, and met senior Omani government officials there, including Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. This statement provides some very interesting detail on Oman's foreign policy, particularly in relation to regional issues.
Before he left, he held meetings with Alexander Sultanov, deputy foreign minister in the Russian Federation, and his accompanying delegation in Muscat on 16th April
On 22nd April in Washington DC, he met with Condoleezza Rice. A major area of discussion would probably have been a lack of progress over the US-Oman FTA, which has hit problems with objections in the US over Oman's labour laws, although the talks were said to have extended to 'regional and international areas of common concern.'
On 26th April in London, he held talks with Jack Straw, Britain's Foreign Minister
And on 28th April in Berlin, he had discussions with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister.
Finally, the Oman Observer reported that he and his delegation had met Austria's foreign minister, Ursula Plassnik, and Mohammed El Baradei, DG of the IAEA, in Vienna on 2nd May. Austria currently holds the EU presidency.
Given the current situation in the Gulf, one can but presume that Alawi was sharing points of view and information on the subject with his counterparts in the US and Europe. He may also have been gathering information to brief His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and accompanying delegation to the forthcoming AGCC summit in Riyadh, which is to discuss the reaction and policies of the Gulf States towards Iran.
Another major matter of concern to Oman's foreign minister in his recent talks overseas could have been the financial plight of the Hamas government in Palestine, as a result of the political deadlock caused by the West's opposition to Hamas.
Khaled Meshaal, head of the political office of Hamas, was in Oman at the beginning of April, where he was promised wholehearted support for the Palestinian people by Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood Al Said, but not specifically financial aid.
The Khaleej Times reported these remarks from Meshaal to the Oman News Agency: "A lack of resources and aid poses a big challenge, especially in the light of hesitancy of many international players to support the newly-elected government."
The Oman Observer of 5th May has published an unattributed report that a British proposal to set up a trust fund to help pay overdue salaries directly to employees of the Palestinian Authority, could be blocked by the Bush Administration.
The Sub-Committee on NATO Partnerships visited the Sultanate of Oman on 1-3 April 2006, and met senior Omani government officials there, including Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. This statement provides some very interesting detail on Oman's foreign policy, particularly in relation to regional issues.
Oman's Land Encyclopedia
I applaud the launch of Oman's Land Encyclopedia, which was reported to have taken place at the Press Club in Muscat on 2nd May. Oman Observer. The Times of Oman stated that His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, minister of heritage and culture, had said that the encyclopedia, which is being created as a result of Royal directives, would only be published in 2010.
Consisting of three volumes, it will detail the names of all towns and villages in Oman and their connection to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. The third volume will comprise descriptions and names of natural features such as wadis, valleys and famous natural landmarks such as aflaj.
The first two volumes define names and, presumably, boundaries, within the eight regions of Oman.
I recall the very considerable difficulty we used to have in preparing maps for publication in Oman. All names had to be double-checked with the National Surveys Authority and could change. It was impossible to draw a boundary because there was no consensus at the time as to where a boundary should be drawn.
This became even more complicated when you started dealing with the concept of a water resources management region. Natural watershed boundaries do no coincide with administrative boundaries.
It sounds as if a great deal of time and effort will have been devoted to compiling and publishing all this data.
At the launch, Dr Khalifah al Saadi, Wali of Al Buraimi, said that the encyclopedia would assist administrators and development officials in devising policies and taking important development decisions in the country, and that it would be a "rich tourism guide for citizens and visitors willing to explore Oman and its history". You bet.
I hope it will be available in English and made generally available. There was a proposal that the data should be put up on the world wide web.
The only drawback is that changes continue. The Wali suggested that the book be revised every ten years to take account of administrative and geographical additions or changes and new information.
Consisting of three volumes, it will detail the names of all towns and villages in Oman and their connection to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. The third volume will comprise descriptions and names of natural features such as wadis, valleys and famous natural landmarks such as aflaj.
The first two volumes define names and, presumably, boundaries, within the eight regions of Oman.
I recall the very considerable difficulty we used to have in preparing maps for publication in Oman. All names had to be double-checked with the National Surveys Authority and could change. It was impossible to draw a boundary because there was no consensus at the time as to where a boundary should be drawn.
This became even more complicated when you started dealing with the concept of a water resources management region. Natural watershed boundaries do no coincide with administrative boundaries.
It sounds as if a great deal of time and effort will have been devoted to compiling and publishing all this data.
At the launch, Dr Khalifah al Saadi, Wali of Al Buraimi, said that the encyclopedia would assist administrators and development officials in devising policies and taking important development decisions in the country, and that it would be a "rich tourism guide for citizens and visitors willing to explore Oman and its history". You bet.
I hope it will be available in English and made generally available. There was a proposal that the data should be put up on the world wide web.
The only drawback is that changes continue. The Wali suggested that the book be revised every ten years to take account of administrative and geographical additions or changes and new information.