Muscat: His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, officially opened the third edition of the "Together We Progress" Forum. This event, organized by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, is designed to enhance interaction and communication between the government and the public. It serves as a platform for reviewing policies, development programs, and government initiatives, while also enabling citizens to express their opinions, suggestions, concerns, and challenges in an inclusive setting.
Forum Addresses Economic, Developmental, and Societal Topics
The two-day forum includes two discussion sessions focused on economic and developmental issues, particularly the forthcoming five-year plan, economic diversification, and the role of investment in national economic advancement. Furthermore, five dialogue sessions will explore subjects such as regional development, the future of professions and employment, the retirement system, as well as culture, sports, youth, and the prospects for sectors involved in economic diversification.
Government Prioritizes Community Collaboration and Citizen Participation
His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers emphasized that the forum seeks to strengthen community collaboration through direct dialogue, in line with His Majesty the Sultan's vision of integrating societal perspectives and aspirations into national development. The selection of themes for the forum was significantly influenced by public input, with over 19,000 citizens participating. The themes of economy and development garnered the most votes, and there was a notable request for a session on the retirement system. More than 7,500 citizens registered to attend the forum, with selections made based on governorates, age groups, employment status, and educational qualifications.
Economic Analysis and Official Statements
The Minister of Energy and Minerals emphasized that the ministry ensures stable production capacity in the oil and gas industries, irrespective of price variations, with operating costs ranging from 9 to 10 US dollars per barrel and production costs between 23 to 25 US dollars. Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy highlighted the impressive growth of the Omani economy, primarily fueled by non-oil sectors, and expects continued expansion across various economic areas through national programs and targeted initiatives.
