Wednesday 03 / June / 2026
Muscat: The Bureau of the Shura Council, during its fifteenth regular meeting held on Wednesday, reviewed a number of reports submitted by the Council’s permanent committees concerning several proposals recently completed by the committees and scheduled for discussion during upcoming regular sessions of the Council.
Among the reports reviewed was the proposal submitted by the Public Services and Utilities Committee on “Enhancing the Efficiency of Electricity and Water Services in the Sultanate of Oman.” The proposal aims to analyse the current challenges facing electricity and water services and present recommendations to improve service quality and enhance beneficiary satisfaction. Key recommendations include strengthening oversight of operating companies to ensure consideration of the geographical characteristics of each wilayat, maintaining bill reduction measures during the summer season, intensifying awareness campaigns to promote efficient consumption, and establishing a clear mechanism for extending water and wastewater services to new residential developments in line with Shura Council Bureau reviews.
The meeting formed part of the Bureau’s fifteenth regular meeting during the Third Annual Sitting (2025–2026) of the Tenth Term (2023–2027), chaired by Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, in the presence of Bureau members and Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council.
The Bureau also reviewed a committee report on the proposal entitled “Exempting Small and Medium Enterprises from Additional Tax Collection in Cases Where Exemption Approval Has Not Been Obtained from the Competent Authority under Specific Circumstances.” The proposal was supported by several justifications, including strengthening tax equity and fairness among taxpayers, aligning with modern legislative approaches in the Sultanate of Oman, supporting the financial liquidity of SMEs, improving the business environment, and enhancing confidence between the public and private sectors.
In addition, the Bureau reviewed a report by the Economic and Financial Committee regarding the proposal to “Launch a Programme for Empowering Local Brands in the Café and Restaurant Sector and Transforming Them into Brands Capable of Regional and International Expansion.” The initiative seeks to support Omani brands in achieving sustainable growth within the Sultanate and enhance their readiness to compete and expand into regional and international markets. The proposal is intended to strengthen local entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation across various sectors, improve the sustainability of SMEs, and capitalise on economic opportunities in external markets.
The Bureau further reviewed a report submitted by the Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Committee concerning the proposal to “Expand Public-Private Partnerships in the Fields of Early Education, Academically Outstanding Students, Gifted Students, and Persons with Disabilities.” The committee emphasised the importance of developing a long-term national strategy for educational partnerships based on a unified framework and adopting a sustainable financing model for purchasing educational services.
The meeting also reviewed the Economic and Financial Committee’s report on the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion’s Annual Report for 2025, as well as the Public Services and Utilities Committee’s report on the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology’s Annual Report for 2025.
The Bureau considered several ministerial responses to follow-up instruments submitted by Council members, including the response of the Minister of Education regarding a briefing request on the employment of graduates specialising in Cycle One education, and the response of the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning regarding a briefing request on linking housing grants to the absence of property ownership and restricting the sale of granted plots until construction is completed.
The Bureau also reviewed the response of the Minister of Labour concerning a briefing request on the increase in expatriate work permit fees. The response indicated that the Ministry continues to monitor and assess labour market indicators to maintain Omanisation and employment targets. It further noted that the fee structure includes exemptions and reductions designed to support business stability, while additional facilitations have been introduced to support entrepreneurs and encourage expansion and investment.
Members of the Bureau also reviewed a letter from the Omani Agricultural Association in Dhofar Governorate concerning farms in the Najd area of Dhofar. The letter called for continued support to assist farmers in addressing challenges arising from fees and customs duties that threaten the sustainability of their farming activities. It also requested a reduction in land lease fees to five Omani rials per feddan, taking into account the remoteness of the area and its unique conditions.
The Bureau further reviewed a report submitted by the Working Team for Reviewing and Evaluating Proposals and Reports Presented to the Bureau.
