Muscat: HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, emphasized the importance of enhancing dialogue between the government and citizens, highlighting its role in shaping decisions that concern society.
According to Oman News Agency, the 3rd dialogue session on "Culture, Sports and Youth," held as part of the "Together We Progress" Forum, focused on achievements in culture, sports, and youth. HH Sayyid Theyazin noted collaboration with the Ministry of Education to support young talents and underscored the ministry's commitment to discovering potential in cultural and sports fields.
The integrated sports city project remains a focal point, with the sports stadium football serving as a core component. This project aims to position Oman as a host for regional and international tournaments. Additionally, the Military Discipline Programme has engaged nearly 700 students in 2024, offering an enriching experience that prepares youth for future challenges.
Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, stated that the ministry aims to maximize gains from cultural industries, conducting studies with various government departments. Basil Ahmed Al Rowas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth, discussed updates to the Omani sports strategy, focusing on society, sports, governance, and sports economy.
Al Rowas also mentioned finalized designs for the sports city project, with announcements on its main components forthcoming. The Ministry of Labour's decision to disengage civil service sector players during the sports season was highlighted, along with initiatives to sponsor promising athletes in cooperation with clubs and federations.
The forum's dialogue session on Oman's labour market included Dr. Mahad Said Ba'owin, Minister of Labour, who stressed the need for additional skills in the workforce. The ministry is bridging this gap through training and employment initiatives, offering thousands of training opportunities annually.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development noted the positive reception of vocational education graduates in public and private sectors. The 'Tawteen' platform, matching job seekers with vacant positions, plays a critical role in employment efforts.
The Minister of Labour elaborated on employment prospects in the public sector, emphasizing actual-need basis hiring, particularly in health, education, and military sectors. Economic movements in Oman are expected to yield employment opportunities over time.
The forum also addressed the social protection system, with Eng. Salem Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, highlighting over 1.472 million beneficiaries of the Social Protection Fund's schemes. Dr. Faisal Abdullah Al Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund, emphasized the Social Protection Law's focus on family benefits.
The economic diversification panel featured CEOs discussing projects by Oman Investment Authority-affiliated companies, focusing on employment, Omanisation, and digital transformation. The session highlighted the importance of enhancing In-country Value (ICV) and supporting SMEs.
HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said recognized winners of the 'Idea Makers' initiative, which promotes innovation in governorates development and technology localization. Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, praised the forum as a platform for societal dialogue, aiding government decision-making and policy development.
The "Together We Progress" forum facilitated discussions on economic diversification, investment, and development plans, enhancing government-society interaction and communication. It provided citizens an opportunity to express concerns and suggestions to officials in a collaborative environment.