Oman, Laudable Strides Towards a Better Tomorrow [Archives:1999/49/Culture]

By: Imad Al-Saqqaf
Taiz Bureau Chief
Yemen Times
The Omani society, government and citizens should realize the significant necessity of getting ready to encounter the real challenges of globalisation. This confrontation can be achieved through development of national potentials and capabilities and building an economy on solid foundations of world competitiveness and productivity. The encounter could also be realised by upgrading the institutions, rendering great care for science and technology and through research and development. In addition there should be some measures ensuring a convenient climate for the private sector to enjoy steady growth and development.
On July 23,1970, Oman entered a new era of its history. Since that date the country left the desert style of life and headed for the life of progress and development so that it has become on the same footing with and matching the advanced countries.
The progress and prosperity that Oman has accomplished during recent years makes one obliged to express admiration towards Sultan Qaboos and towards the brotherly people of Oman. Comparing the Oman of the past with what it has become today, one cannot but find himself showing respect to this people who have proved that the impossible could not block their willpower, ambition and determination to achieve advancement. Oman, a country blending the past with the present, feels proud of its past and aspires for the future.
During my recent visit to Oman, I was dazzled with the progress in construction it has made during recent years. I felt pleased to see an Arab country that could push forward with firm steps towards the coming century. The moment you set your foot on the land of Oman you notice the volume of the great efforts exerted there to make the country occupy an outstanding position in the world. There is advancement in construction, health, education and social services in order to help the citizens qualified to bear the responsibility for developing their homeland.
In education, the Omanis have exerted big efforts to acquire modern technology and manage to use computers and the Internet in their schools. And to give an example, the number of schools in Oman has risen from 3 in 1969 to 970 in 1998-99 and scheduled to rise to 1,045 in the year 2000. There are now 528,358 students studying at public schools and 23,560 students in private schools. The Number of hospitals has now risen to 47, in addition to 7 health complexes and 110 health centres.
Oman’s economy has made a big leap in quantity and quality at annual development rates considered to be among the best in the world. There is a noticeable increase in contribution of non-oil sectors in gross domestic product as part of diversification policy in resources of the national income.
Tourism constitutes an important factor of the Omani upswing especially in that the country possesses many tourist constituents represented in folkloric traditional arts that could be an element of attraction for tourists from various parts of the world. The historical sites in Oman form one of the most beautiful attractions of tourism in Oman.
As for the communication sector, the total length of roads amounted to 6,329 kms in addition to finishing a project of building a 245km long road linking the border areas of Oman to the republic of Yemen to be a means for maintaining and strengthening trade relationship between the two peoples.
Oman’s foreign policy is characterised by establishing good diplomatic relations with all countries of the world. Recently Sultan Qaboos of Oman was awarded the prize of world peace in acknowledgment of his role in serving regional and international peaceful issues.

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