Friday 16 / December / 2022
Muscat:The recent decision by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to set up Oman Sustainability Centre and declare 2050 as the deadline for net zero carbon emission by the Sultanate of Oman is a “huge step in the right direction.”
Experts and businessmen have also welcomed His Majesty’s stamp of approval to the new labour law that is expected to boost investment in the country.
Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr. Abdullah Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority (EA), said: “Oman, as per the Paris Agreement, is committed to reducing carbon emission in the country. We are serious in our efforts to save the global environment. Global warming is affecting the world and the decision to make Oman a net zero carbon emission country by 2050 is a step in the right direction. We are already focusing on renewable energy projects in Oman.”
He added: “Most countries have chosen the year 2050 for carbon neutrality, including the Sultanate of Oman and, we will strive to achieve this and ensure that we reach our goal.”
Alkesh Joshi, Partner, MENA Energy & Sustainability Tax Leader at EY, said: “Oman’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 is a huge step in the right direction as it also aligns well with the Paris Agreement in reducing carbon emissions and hopefully stop the earth from overheating.
“This really means that we will have to find ways to reach negative emissions. One of the many ways to achieve this is by way of having lots of trees around.
“欧盟委员会国家已经始于立法，以在2050年到2050年实现零排放净。bob体育打彩票我们的年轻人有很多职业机会。我们的承诺还将确保我们也能够继续使用绿色资bob体育打彩票金来源。”
As part of Royal attention to improve environment performance and alleviate the impact of climate change, a national plan has been drafted, along with the setting up of Oman Sustainability Centre to supervise and follow-up on of zero carbon emission plans and programmes.
His Majesty the Sultan gave directives to all units of the state’s administrative apparatus to cooperate and ensure the success of this national plan.
On the new labour law, which will come into force soon, Joshi said: “It is an excellent step and has been expected for a while. The provisions of the new labour law are expected to be people and employer friendly. We will have to wait for the finer details to be made available. The law is expected to protect the interests of employees and employers. This step will surely contribute towards an improvement in the ease of doing business rankings for Oman.”
Redha Mehdi Al Lawati, a Muscat-based businessman, said the new labour law is eagerly awaited.
“This law is being eagerly awaited including companies, institutions, citizens, businessmen, workers and job seekers. We hope that all the features of the law will take into account the rights of citizens, companies and institutions. I hope the law will boost investments in the Sultanate.”
He added: “His Majesty Sultan Haitham’s address to the Council of Ministers last week was important and his comments on the labour law were among the major highlights. We know that one of the main attractions for foreign investors is a friendly labour law of a country. Oman has a huge potential to bring in investment in the oil, tourism and infrastructure sectors.”
bob体育打彩票阿尔·劳蒂（Al Lawati）说：“现行的劳动法没有区别投资OMR 1亿或OMR10,000的所有者。这是不公平的，因为企业家进行了巨额投资，自然会对政府对公司的劳动状况产生更多期望。”bob体育打彩票
Al Lawati hopes that the new labour law will be in line with Oman Vision 2040.
“The current labour law is certainly not in line with Oman Vision 2040. In fact, the current law impedes the policies of Oman Vision 2040. I hope with the new labour law coming into force, the situation would be more conducive to investment opportunities in Oman.”
Another expatriate investor, Manoj Didwania, said: “The new labour law reforms are the need of the hour and they would complement Oman’s 2040 Vision of ‘Sustained Prosperity’. We expect that skills and performance-based remunerations will be emphasized in the new law.
“This would not only ease the obligations from the existing businesses but certainly encourage new ventures from across the world. Omani youth are ambitious and would certainly take up the opportunities and meet the challenges as enshrined in the proposed new labour law.”
