Oman Council A Key Partner in Enhancing Development

Through its active bicameral chambers, the Council of Oman serves as a key partner in the domestic development process. It derives its powers from the Basic Law of the State and the Law of the Council of Oman. In its first annual convening during the 8th Term, the State Council held 5 sessions during which it discussed the draft version of State Budget 2024 and a number of draft laws referred to it by the government. The annual convening also covered discussions about the Council of Ministers' responses to the studies and proposals submitted to the Cabinet earlier by the State Council. The most prominent draft laws studied by the State Council during its annual convening included 'the draft law on the protection of bank deposits', 'the draft law on regulating trade in wildlife', and 'the draft media law'. The State Council also held a joint session with the Shura Council during which the two councils debated articles of dispute in draft laws referred by the government. During its meetings, the State Counci l's Office formed three special committees: (1) A special committee to study 'The contents of the Royal Speech at the Opening of the First Session of the 8th Term of the Council of Oman', (2) A special committee to study a 'Mechanism for Diversifying Sources of Income in the Sultanate of Oman', and (3) a special committee to study 'The Role of Plant Breeds in Strengthening the Local Economy'. The State Council also hosted government officials and specialists who highlighted their efforts in developing the institutions they supervise (through visual presentations, plans and programmes). The specialists included some from Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, the Ministry of Finance and Oman Investment Authority (OIA). Meanwhile, the Shura Council held its first annual convening of the 10th Term, which included 12 regular sessions, of which four were dedicated to ministerial statements. The Shura Council works hand in hand with the State Council through joint committees that hold special sessions f or debating articles of dispute on draft laws. Source: Oman News Agency