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Oman’s Sultan Qaboos makes first public appearance in nearly a year

The 76-year old Qaboos appeared in good health

First contract awarded for Oman’s Sultan Al Qaboos Waterfront

The first phase of the project is due to be completed in 2020

Omantel to sell Pakistan WorldCall stake

Omantel took a 56.8 per cent stake in the diversified operator in 2008

Oman’s National Gas Company terminates CEO

S&P downgrades outlook for Oman to ‘negative’

Oman’s fiscal consolidation could take longer than expected, says rating agency

Kuwait Petroleum and Oman Oil sign Duqm Complex deal

The MoU could see Kuwait Petroleum takeover from IPIC as a joint venture partner in the project

Oman Chamber says employee health insurance to become mandatory in 2018

Companies in the country have recently been reducing or retracting health cover due to tougher economic conditions

Oman to increase expat work visa fees by 50%

New fees are also being brought in for domestic workers, camel herders and farm workers

Majid Al Futtaim close to mandating banks for Mall of Oman financing

Mall of Oman is expected to open in 2020

Oman sovereign wealth fund buys stake in Spanish manufacturer Escribano

The deal is part of a drive by Oman to use its sovereign fund assets to help diversify the economy beyond oil

Oman bans expats from working as street vendors

New rules prevent expats from obtaining a street vending licence

British Airways begins direct London – Muscat service

The carrier previously flew between the two cities via Abu Dhabi

Oman to announce labour reforms in November

Proposals are expected to include an amendment or removal of the requirement for no objection certificates

Oman to cover two-thirds of budget gap with foreign borrowing

The government posted a budget deficit of OMR4.02bn in the first seven months of 2016

Ooredoo Oman says CEO resigns

Chief financial officer Jorgen Latte has been appointed as acting CEO

Two Americans held in Yemen released and flown to Oman

Oman worked with Yemeni authorities in Sanaa to secure the Americans’ release

Oman to increase electricity prices for big corporate users

The measure is initially expected to affect 10,000 consumers

Oman to scrap no objection certificate for workers switching jobs

Expats in the country currently need their employer’s permission to move to another company

Oman Oil upstream unit looks to borrow at least $1bn

The company is expected to raise the financing early next year

Oman restricts visas for Bangladeshi workers

Limits are being placed on unskilled Bangladeshi workers, according to reports

Oman’s Azamn newspaper closed, three journalists jailed

The three were described as exceeding the limits of free speech

Oman companies urged to send stranded expat workers home

More than 150 workers have been left in labour camps without salaries

Oman Air apologises for maps using ‘Persian Gulf’ label

The naming of the strategic waterway is disputed by Iran and the Arab states

Oman increases cigarette prices

The country’s tobacco tax has been doubled

Oman asks public, private sector CEOs to help forge new five-year plan

The sultanate is seeking to diversify away from oil after posting a sizeable budget deficit in the first half

Work visa restrictions hit female expats in Oman

Female professionals in Oman are not being granted work visas in some sectors, according to reports

Oman Air cancels September launch of Najaf route

Route launch pushed back due to safety concerns

Oman Chamber chairman says Omanisation policy hindering growth

Sheikh Said Al Kiyumi has said the current policy is incompatible with government strategy

Oman to reopen Al Hoota Cave ahead of Eid Al Adha

The attraction will reopen to the public from September 5

Oman’s private sector firms cutting health insurance

Tougher market conditions are making many firms seek savings on insurance costs

Thailand’s oil explorer PTTEP to sell Oman 44 project

The deal is expected to close in early fourth quarter of 2016