milestones 2010

COMMEMORATING HIS MAJESTYS 40TH RENAISSANCE DAY

2010

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said

C O N T E N T SCOMMEMORATING HIS MAJESTYS 40TH RENAISSANCE DAY

COvER IMAGE

The compass is the oldest instrument for navigation and has been a vital tool for navigators at sea for centuries. The compass allows ships to steer a selected course and acts as a

guiding tool. Similarly our visionary captain, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has successfully navigated

Oman from the shores of oblivion into global limelight. With his courage, wisdom and vision,

His Majestys guiding hands have steered Oman towards unprecedented progress.

ACkNOWlEDGEMENTSAMUR Al TOBY

kHAlIl Al ZEDJAlI MADHUlIkA MOHTA

MURIYA TOURISM DEvElOPMENTOMAN REFINERIES & PETROCHEMICAlS COMPANY

OMAN SAIl SOHAR PORT

SAlIM Al HASHlIElvIS JOHN FERRAO

Presented By:

PO Box 2058, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of OmanTel.: +968 24789680, Fax: +968 24751019

E-mail: [email protected]

An Epic Journey9

Ancient Mar iner A look back at time

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Hands at the Helm A tribute to the visionary

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khasabUnique Inlet

43

SoharProsperous Seaport

53

Muscat Safe Harbour

63

DuqmSetting Sail

77

SurPropelling Progress

87

SalalahDropping Anchor

97

A Journey Through The Seas 111

Published By:

1970 - 2010

Copyright 2010 Milestones

Printed by Oman Printers, Muscat

2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the Renaissance in Oman. This special edition of Milestones is not just a tribute or a celebration of a great leader or his many achievements. Rather, it is a symbol of pride, hope and hard work of an entire nation which has been motivated and channelised into progressive development by the firm hand and far seeing eyesof a beloved monarch, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

In recounting the triumphs of Omans ancient civilisation or providing vignettes of its present day prosperity and its strategy for the future, this book has used the sea as its muse and the countrys many ports and maritime centres as its medium of expression. Beginning with Majans journeys across the seas, its trade prowess and empire building activities to HMs deft directions from the helm of affairs in the last four decades, this Milestones is a chronicle of past glories as well as a preview of prosperity yet to come.

Intertwined with hidden notes from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, the call of the seas and the glory of sustainablegrowth Milestones 2010 presents Omans epic journey of progressive development.

Mahmood Al ZakwaniPublisher

Foreword

MENTIONED IN BIBlICAl ANECDOTES, CHRONIClED BY ANCIENT

TRAvElERS lIkE MARCO POlO AND CITED BY MODERN HISTORIANS,

OMANS HAS BEEN AN EPIC vOYAGE DOWN THE ANNAlS OF

HISTORY. THE lAST 40 YEARS OF HIS MAJESTY SUlTAN QABOOSS

REIGN ENCAPSUlATE THIS EPIC SAGA OF PEACE, PROSPERITY,

DEvElOPMENT AND GROWTH.

IT HAS BEEN A MEMORABlE SOJOURN OF UNITING PEOPlE AND

BUIlDING A NATION WHOSE FOUNDATIONS ARE DEEP AND STRONG

AND AMBITIONS GREAT YET REAlISTIC. THE lAST 40 YEARS MARk

AN IMPORTANT MIlESTONE IN HIS MAJESTYS FAR REACHING vISION

OF A MODERN AND PROSPEROUS OMAN AND PROClAIMS THE

BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA OF TREMENDOUS DEvElOPMENT AND

UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH. lET THE JOURNEY BEGIN.

1970 : 2010An Epic Journey

EvERY DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING AND EvERY SUNSET IS MERElY

THE lATEST MIlESTONE ON A vOYAGE THAT NEvER ENDS

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Commemorating His Majestys 40TH Renaissance Day

The last four decades are powerful reminders of a countrys epic journey from being a little known desert kingdom to a modern nation state that can proudly holdits own in the international comity of nations.

This epic saga traces its routes to 1970, when His Majesty Sultan Qabooss reign heralded an age of unprecedented growth and development for Oman. The differences between then and now are only a chronicle of thecountrys milestones on the road to development.

AdministrAtion From tribal decision-making to a well-developed institutional framework, Oman has developed the institutions that have enabled a meteoric rise to development. Today, it is a constitutional monarchy governed as per the statutes and basic law promulgated by His Majesty. The country now has a strong government with an elected lower house called Majlis Al Shura. There are 9 administrative regions and efficient local government at the Wilayat level. This is supported by an independent judiciary. Other institutions like The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Exports Development (OCIPED), Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) are all partnering in the progress. The Sultanate even beat other Arab and African countries to take the top place in the region on the global stability index published by the US Peace Fund.

1970 : 2010

Economy It is only a few decades ago, when oil was first discovered in Oman and the wheel of time started to turn for this remote desert principality. In the year 2009, the GDP (at market prices) had increased from about a quarter of a billion dollars to almost 70 billion USD; approximately half of which is contributed by the oil and gas industry. Per capita income rose from US$360 in 1970 to around US$18000 in 2008. Oman ranked second among 17 countries in the Middle East/North Africa region in the 2009 Economic Freedom Index published by the Washington Heritage Foundation. A far cry indeed fromthe nomadic lifestyles of only a few decades ago.

BAnking & FinAncE Merely decades ago, Oman had no banks, a weak currency (in fact the Indian Rupee was widely used) and no organised financial markets. Then, a law was promulgated in 1974 establishing the Central Bank of Oman (CBO). Today, under the aegis of CBO, there are seven domestic banks led by Bank Muscat and nine foreign banks, as well as six finance companies. Aggregate profit for 2008 reached OR195m ($504.5m). Insurance companies, Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) and money exchanges are other important players in this industry. The Muscat Securities Market (MSM) was set up in 1988 to provide a market for shares and bonds issued by companies, Government and Treasury Bonds and Bills. In 1998, restructuring led to separate legal entities for

AN EPIC JOURNEY


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A Guiding Visionary - one man who inspired a Nation towards a revolutionary movement

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With the dawn of Renaissance, Oman has undergone a sea change in its industrial growth

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depository functions (MDSRC) and regulation (CMA). These reforms have enhanced the integrity, transparencyand efficiency of the securities market.

industry Prior to the Renaissance, the Omani industry encompassed little more than subsistence agriculture, camel and goat herding, fishing, and traditional handicrafts. The evolution of Omani manufacturing started from the first Five Year Plan period (1976-1980), when policies were formulated to initiate industrialisation with priority given to small and medium enterprises to manufacture food and construction related products aimed at import substitution. The second Plan period (1981-85) saw the dawn of incentive schemes like government soft loan, tariff protection, Customs duty exemptions, tax holidays etc. This was also the time the first phase of a fully serviced industrial estate at Rusayl was constructed. The model soon got ambitious with large scale projects being promoted. Like other Gulf states, Oman is now diversifying away from hydrocarbons and building its non-oil sector under the long-term economic road map, Vision 2020. Underpinning the growth of the sector is a network of industrial estates, Special Economic Zones administered by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates including the facilities at Raysut, Sohar, Nizwa, Buraimi, Sur, Al Mazoonah Free Zone and Knowledge Oasis Muscat. Combined, they host approximately 400 industrial projects, roughly 35% of which are joint ventures with foreign companies.

trAnsport In 1970 there were only 10 kilometres of paved roads in Oman. Today, Oman provides world-class facilities to businesses and unmatchable social amenities to its residents. The country today has around 25,000 km of Highways and an equal length of graded roads. From, a single small airport, Oman is now poised to have six state of the art international airports catering to over 3 million passengers. There has been a noticeable shift in infrastructure provision with Governments facilitating

(rather than owning) private infrastructure services. The Sultanate is also planning its first rail link. More recently, in July 2009 the government signed 22 development agreements worth OR88m ($228m) covering various port and civil aviation developments. From dhow yards, to custom built major ports like the Port of Salalah and the Sohar Industrial Port, the ports have redefined the wayOman does business.

it & tElEcom In 1970, the Sultanate had 500 domestic and one international telephone line. Today Omantel has more than 275,000 fixed line and over 40,000 Internet subscribers. Mobile penetration rate reached nearly 130% in July of 2009. The international gateway has full satellite connectivity with 8 earth stations. From an isolated society to a wirelessly networked one, the transition has indeed been rapid. A new fixed-line operator Nawras is expected to unveil services in 2010. In early 2009, two new mobile resellers launched services, marketing low-priced prepaid plans to niche segments. This new competition is the result of work by the sector regulator, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which has put in place a series of far-reaching directives guiding slow but steady liberalisation since its creation in 2002.

The Information Technology Authority (ITA) set up in 2006, has been the primary government body responsible for developing and enacting Omans ICT strategy. From nil to more than 10,000 students in Omans colleges are studying IT. The e.Oman initiative, which was officially launched in August 2009, is a large collection of new programmes and ongoing projects aimed at moving theSultanate towards a knowledge-based economy.

HEAltH World Health Organisation in 2000, placed Oman 1st in health system efficiency. A great change indeed from pre Renaissance days when there were only a handful

World Health Organisation in 2000, placed Oman 1st in health system efficiency. A great change indeed from pre

Renaissance days when there were only a handful of doctors in the country, no clinics outside Muscat and mental illness

was often attributed to Black Magic

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of doctors in the country, no clinics outside Muscat and mental illness was often attributed to Black Magic. The government initiated a sequence of five-year health plans in 1976, the success of which has been dramatic: for a nominal fee, Omanis have access to a modern and well-funded health system that has grown rapidly in size and quality. Child mortality has dropped from 272 per thousand in 1970 to 12/1000 currently even lower than many European countries. Oman ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1996. Life expectancy has increased from 49.3 years to 67.4 years. The Ministry of Health has taken a pro-active role by instituting health awareness programmes and encouraging thedevelopment of a private health care sector.

EducAtion Before the renaissance in 1970, there were three rudimentary schools in Oman, with 909 male pupils and thirty teachers. Today there are around 150 kindergartens, the total number of public and private schools has increased to over 1,200 with a student population of over 600,000. Four universities and more than 40 colleges provide graduate and vocational education. 43,000 teachers are employed in government schools. Gross enrolment rates for primary education is 98%.

Illiteracy has fallen from 41%, to 4.5% for males. Oman has invested in innovative new educational technology - the Blackboard Learning System. The government has promoted the development of private institutions by offering free land, tax exemptions, grants of up to OR17m ($44m) to assist in setting up infrastructure, and scholarships to institutions that meet the standards of the Ministry of Higher Education. Omans increasingly diverse education sector is directed by the Council of Higher Education, which in 2001 created the Oman Accreditation Board (now known as the Oman Accreditation Council, or OAC). Further oversight of the Omani education sector is provided by the Oman Quality Network, an independent, non-profit, network of higher education providers set upto consider issues related to standards and quality. utilitiEs Pre-Renaissance Oman was in the dark ages literally. Electricity was rare in the villages and wastewater connections unheard of. Currently, more than 85% of Omans total electricity generating capacity of almost 4000 MW is privatised. Oman was among the first GCC nations to privatize public utilities and is now actively pursuing renewable energy and sustainable energy projects. Haya Water is leading the way for wastewater collection and

treatment. Public and private desalination plants produce and distribute over 35 million gallons of water annually.The solid waste sector is also being restructured.

tourism Muscat in the 1970s had just two hotels Muttrah Hotel and Al Falaj Hotel. Now there are close to 10,000 hotel rooms in Oman. It has indeed been a great transformation. As a tourist destination, Oman is drawing praise worldwide and the Sultanate is gearing up for further growth. Current statistics show that tourism contributes about 2.4% of the countrys GDP. The Sultanate is targeting the luxury tourism segment by creating golf courses, high-end marinas, and an international-standard stadium for concerts and sports games. Integrated tourism complexes (ITCs) a mix of holiday villas, hotels, resorts and shopping centres are some of the biggest projects under way in the Sultanate. From being virtually isolated, Oman has now embarked on a nation-branding project,headed by the Oman Brand Management Unit (OBMU).

WomEn & youtH The role of the woman in Omani society has changed completely since the Renaissance. In fact Oman was the first country in the Gulf to have women in the Shura

The sport of horse racing is seen as a National pride

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Oman has come a long way in the past 40 years. Today local girls are strongly encouraged to pursue full time studies.

Council and has even got woman ministers. Women working in the civil services account for almost half of the workforce. Omanisation in banking, education, health and government services is now up to 95%, with the number of Omanis moving into the private sector consistently increasing.

EnvironmEnt From indiscriminate water mining and hunting of the Arabian Oryx and Leopards to extinction in the 1970s and 80s, attitudes towards conservation of natural resources have undergone a sea change. Oman signed the Convention on Biological diversity held in Rio in 1992. The Centre for Environmental studies and Research was established in 2000. Oman attended the sustainable development summit in Johannesburg in 2002. The modern approach is apparent the moment you land inMuscat and see the profusion of trees and flowers.

Art & culturE From being just family or festive rituals, Oman now has a thriving cultural community. The Oman Literary Society celebrates the work of Omani writers and poets. The Fine Arts Movement gained momentum since the Renaissance in 1970 and the Youth Drawing Centre was established in 1980. Omani Society for Fine Arts was established in 1993. The Omani Artists society and Photography Club came into being in 1993 and won Bronze medal in 1999 and Silver in 2001 world competitions. Omani Art has changed from purely religious and calligraphic leanings to abstract creations with traditional signatures hiddenwithin.

In 1970, the performance of music in Oman was limited to community performances of traditional songs at special events like weddings, harvests, religious occasions, etc to the accompaniment instruments like Ude, Mizmar and Zimr. Then the first few bands were formed the Police Band in Muscat and the Royal Band in Salalah. By 1980 five more bands and almost 1000 musicians came to the fore and music featured prominently in State celebrations and political and military events thus forging a new element of national identity. In 1985, Sultan Qaboos directed the formation of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra(ROSO), which now allows girl orchestra members also.

mEdiA 1970 can be termed as the dawn of the era of modern media in Oman. Oman Radio was launched within a week of His Majesty acceding to the throne. A year later, Al Watan, the countrys first newspaper, was launched. As things stand now, there are about 40 newspapers, magazines and periodicals in the Sultanate. Omans media has a vital role in the political, social, and economic future

100% Natural & Tasty

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There has been a burgeoning growth in the Banking sectors of Oman

of a modern state. Today, the Sultanates broadcasting system has over 25 well-equipped studios, broadcasting round the clock. Oman was one of the first countries in the region to use satellite technology for domestic transmission.

intErnAtionAl rElAtions Before the Renaissance, Oman was a small and isolated Middle Eastern kingdom. Today, Oman is an important player on the global geo-political stage. It is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League. Oman is one of the founding members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), which was established in 1981. In recent years, the Sultanate joined the Indian Ocean Rim Association for

regional co-operation. Oman is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and has opened up its markets to foreign investors. Even though Oman is not a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC), it is an observing associate and regularly co- operates with OPEC in stabilizing international oil prices. The recent Oman-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has madeOman an attractive manufacturing base for investors.

The achievements of the last few decades clearly show the epic proportions of the journey of development that Oman has undertaken. It has been a momentous voyage towards realising greater dreams of a prosperous nation.

Omanisation in banking, education, health and government services is

now up to 95%, with the number of Omanis moving into the private sector

consistently increasing.

P.O. Box 695, Muttrah, P.C. 114, Sultanate of Oman, Tel: (968) 24580595 - Fax: (968) 24580599. Website: www.mbholdingco.comMB Holding Company LLC

OMAN OR RATHER MAJAN AS IT WAS kNOWN IN ANCIENT TIMES

WAS THE FABlED lAND OF FRANkINCENSE AND MYRRH. IT WAS

WHERE QUEEN SHEBA REIGNED AND WHERE UBAR WAS BURIED

UNDER SHIFTING SANDS. ITS CUlTURE AND ITS DEvElOPMENT

OWED MUCH TO THE MARITIME PROWESS OF ITS PEOPlE.

THE CAll OF THE SEAS AND FAR-FlUNG TRADE TIES SHAPED

THE NATIONS CUlTURAl IDENTITY AND FORGED THE FAMED

HOSPITAlITY OF MODERN DAY OMANIS.

SITUATED AT THE CROSS ROADS OF THREE CONTINENTS AND

FOUR SEAS, MAJANS ANCIENT MARINERS EvEN REACHED CHINA.

ITS EMPIRE BUIlDING STRETCHED TO PARTS OF AFRICA AND ITS

ARTISANAl TRADITIONS STIll BEAR THE INFlUENCE OF FAR FlUNG

INDIAN OCEAN CUlTURES. THE RHYME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER

STIll STRIkES A CHORD IN THE HEARTS OF All THOSE WHO

GlIMPSE OMANS RICH HISTORY.

Ancient MarinerA look back at time

ITS NOT AlWAYS THE TOWERING SAIl, BUT THE UNSEEN WIND AND PEOPlE

THAT MOvE THE SHIP

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THE ANCIENT MARINERA lOOk bACk AT TIME

Omans strategic location bordering the Strait of Hormuz, has defined Omans history and civilisation down the ages. With over 1700 kilometres of coastline and some outstanding natural harbours, its easy to see why this desert land became one of the most powerful seafaring civilisations of ancient times with a long tradition ofinternational trade.

AntiquAriAn roots Archaeological excavations have found evidence of villages as far back as the sixth millennium B.C, indicating the existence of human societies in Oman since the Stone Age. Omani sailors knew navigation techniques as long ago as the fourth millennium BC. The earliest evidence of their coastal trade dates back to the Bronze age. Oman was such a thriving center of trade in copper that the Sumerians and Akkadians named the country Magan after the Sumerian word for copper.

A Sumerian text mentions a Mesopotamian king of the time who travelled to Majan (Oman) to buy vessels. These texts provide the earliest documentation of long-distance sea trade in the world, and refer to well-established trade links between the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia (Iran), Magan (present day Oman), Dilmun (present day Bahrain) and Melukhkha (present day Indus Valley).

Frankincense also played a vital role in Omans interesting history. Ancient western markets like the Romans valued it more than gold and precious cargoes from Oman were taken far a field by boat throughout the Middle Ages.

Oman embraced Islam during the middle of the 7th

century A.D and shortly after came under the rule of the Ummayyads of Damascus. A century later, the Omanis revolted against the Ummayyads and elected the Imam Jalanda Bin Masud as their leader. A new chapter in Omani history began when the Portuguese arrived in the Indian Ocean and conquered Muscat in 1507. It was only in 1650 that Imam Sultan bin Saif of the Al-Yaruba dynasty expelled the Portuguese from Oman. The Yaruba rulers brought prosperity and in the 1850s the Sultanate had its own empire stretching down the east African coast. A Persian invasion in 1737 AD marked the end of the Al-Yaruba dynasty.

However, the Persian influence was shortlived and in 1744 Ahmed Bin Said, the first ruler of the present Al Busaidi Dynasty was elected Imam and by the end of the 18th century, the Omanis were in control of an extensive empire and had even signed friendship treaties with Britain. In the 19th century, at the height of Sayyid Said bin Sultans rule, Omans maritime possessions stretched from Musandam to Dhofar in Oman; from Bostanah to Jask and Bandar Abbas, Minab and the port of Chahbahar in Persia; the Islands in the Arabian-Persian Gulf including Kunk, Qesham, Laraq and Hormuz; in Asia the coastal district of Gwadar (that was sold to Pakistan in 1958); in the Red Sea the island of Perim (currently belonging to Yemen); and finally in Africa, the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, the whole east African coast from Cape Guardafui (in present day Somalia) to Cape Delgado (in present day Mozambique); and inland cities of Mogadishu and Brava (in present day Somalia); Lamu, Malindi and Mombassa (in present day Kenya); and Querimba and Kilwa (in present day Tanzania). After the death of Said Sultan, the Omani empire was divided between his two disputing


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sons. In the process, Oman was dispossessed of its EastAfrican territories.

His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos ushered in Omans Renaissance and has once again made Oman a great maritime power with mighty ports and a flourishing trade regime.

mAritimE prospErity Omans maritime history abounds with achievements and glories. By the 8th century, Omani ships and merchants had reached the distant ports of China. By the 9th century AD Muslim merchants from Oman had set up trading communities in Canton. Trade with the East Coast of Africa had been controlled by Omanis for over two millennia. Even in those long forgotten times, Omans principal harbours and ports ranged from Khasab and its numerous khors and inlets in the Musandam peninsula, to Sohar, Muttrah, Muscat, Qalhaat, and Samharam in Dhofar. Many other natural harbours like Bander Khairan served as staging posts for fishermen.

In the 18th century, the Al Yaruba rulers developed important policies for maritime trade and development. They built forts and watchtowers to safeguard ports andtrade routes.

In the 19th century, Sayyid Said made Zanzibar the centre for all East African trade. With bases in both Muscat and Zanzibar, he was able to control commercial maritime activity, and exploit the export potential of the dark continent. Trade with India centred around the export of

thoroughbreds and import of spices and fabrics. Sayyid Said encouraged international relations with America, Britain, France and even Portugal enhancing maritime trade. The early rulers of the Al Busaidy dynasty provided security to traders and regularised taxes on commodities thus attracting international traders, bankers, ship owners and speculators to reside in Muscat.

Since ancient times, Oman was not only famous for its intrepid sailors but was also renowned for its shipbuilding

His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos ushered in Omans Renaissance and has once again made Oman a great

maritime power with mighty ports and a flourishing trade regime.

Dynamic activities - The flourishing Muscat Port is open to international and domestic trade

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prowess. Sohar, Shinas, Muscat, Sur and Salalah were all homes to Omans early ship builders. The industry was a traditional craft followed by certain families who handed their skills down through the generations. They worked without drawings or designs and used wooden templates to replicate the exquisite curves and symmetry of the hulls. The Omani dhows were much prized and providedanother maritime employment to Omanis.

nAvAl proWEss During the early years of the Islamic mission, Oman played a major role in the Wars of Apostasy that occurred after the death of Muhammad and also took part in the great Islamic conquests by land and sea in Iraq, Persia and beyond. Imam Ghassan Bin Abdullah (807-824 AD) is renowned for being the first Omani ruler who ordered ships built for wars against pirates in the Gulf. Sohar became a military supply base, in addition to being a point for launching campaigns by Muslim armies.

Imam Nasser Bin Murshid, his cousin Sultan bin Saif and their successors built a big naval force composed of modern warships of European designs. The force was strong enough to challenge the Portuguese and drive them out of Oman. Omani warships attacked Portuguese trading posts and regained control of overseas possessions to the West of the Indian Ocean, in Persia and in East Africa. If trade to distant lands was a stimulus to the development and refinement of Omans ocean going mercantile fleet, in the wake of expanding trade came a parallel need to develop an effective navy to protect both trade and the countrys sovereign integrity.

In the 19th century, the Omani navy consisted of modern European warships used to safeguard the monsoon trade between India, Africa and the Middle East. Sayyid Said bin Sultan was paramount in expanding the countrys navy and both the shores of the Strait of Hormuz were dominated by his naval bases. His navy controlled the coast from Mogadishu to Mombasa in Africa. An American merchant visiting Zanzibar in the 1830s described Sayyid Saids arrival there on board a warship of 64 guns, accompanied by three frigates and many other smaller warships. With them was an army of 5000 Omani fighting men on boardover a hundred sailing vessels.

Omans importance as the paramount regional naval and mercantile power is demonstrated by its foreign relations of the time. In 1824 Imam Said presented the massive 74 gun Liverpool to King William IV of England as a gift. In 1840 Al Haj Ahmed bin Numan al Kaabi arrived in New York on board the warship Sultana, on an embassy to the United States of America. Another envoy Ali bin Nasr was sent to Queen Victoria in 1838 AD, who later became

Jewel of Muscat - an icon of historic achievement that has brought about friendly & bilateral relations between two nations.

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Omans Ambassador to Britain in 1842 AD. The Omani vessel Carolin equipped with 26 guns visited Marseeliain 1849.

Such were the heights of naval glory reached by Oman and its proud heritage is today kept alive by the countryswell-equipped modern navy.

mAritimE HEritAgE With the winds and the waters of the seas and facilitated by the exchange of goods and ideas, Omans culture and heritage got indelibly intertwined with its maritime exploits and was profoundly influenced by the far-flung civilisations its citizens navigated to.

By the 8th century, Omani ships and merchants had reached the distant ports of China, spreading Islam through the Far East on their way, and bringing about that exchange between cultures which furthers mankinds knowledge and development. The Chinese on the other hand, learnt navigation techniques from the Arabs.

With the goods, certain cultural influences permeated Omans traditional arts. Thus, from east Africa and

west Asia, the Omanis took some of the drums used in vernacular music, and easily adapted dance types similar to those practiced on the African coast or in west Asia. Omans traditional music includes sea shanties and fishing songs.

The sea also influenced the choice of professions. Omans legendary boat building activities, became a traditional craft followed by certain families who handed their skills down through the generations. Sohar, Shinas, Muscat, Sur, and Salalah were all homes to Omans early ship builders.Fishing also became a favoured means of livelihood.

Woodcarving developed particularly in coastal areas, with a boat building tradition. Traditional gold and silver smiths still employ design motifs and techniques that display cross-cultural fusions particularly with India, China, Persia, Yemen and ancient Roman, Greek and Sabaean Empires reflecting the Omanis long history as maritime traders and symbolising the cosmopolitan spirit of tolerance sounique to Oman. Rock art found all over Oman showcases depictions of men on boats- symbols of Omans ancient seafaring roots.

Even today, the sea remains an evergreen subject in thepantheon of Omani artists.

The easy accessibility of spices influenced Omani cuisine, while fabrics and dress styles from India got intertwined with local garb. The stones and mud-brick of Omans great forts and watchtowers guarding the coast are moot evidence of architecture influenced by social and commercial needs.

Long famous for its intrepid and innovative seafarers, its traditions of trade and commerce, Oman is now undergoing a resurgence of its ancient heritage. The dhow today has come to represent the spirit of Omans diversifying economy, encouraging an entire nation to regain its lost glory as the mover and shaker in the world of international trade and commerce.

Keeping the traditions alive is RNOV Shabab Oman (Youth of Oman). She is considered an important ambassador for Oman, visiting ports in Arab and friendly countries as part of its training programme, seeks to promote cultural contacts with other peoples and stimulate world interest in Oman, and acts as a reminder of Omans ancient

Carving a niche in the maritime heritage for Oman

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maritime history. Oman Sail is a far reaching project to reignite the maritime heritage of Oman and encourage tourism in the country.

In many ways the Omani expertise as ship builders and sailors has helped to shape their national character. Bold and adventurous, they ventured far and wide, and in so doing, met and interacted with hugely differing peoples and civilisations. As a consequence, they became open minded and tolerant and could benefit from the free exchange of science and innovation. And this perhaps, has been the biggest gift of Omans maritime heritage, ever lasting and indestructible like the proverbial Rime ofthe Ancient Mariner:

Day after day, day after day,We stuck, nor breath nor motion;As idle as a painted shipUpon a painted ocean. - Samuel T Coleridge.

FORTY YEARS AGO, ON THE 23RD OF JUlY, A YOUNG MAN WITH

A DREAM AND A vISION ASCENDED THE THRONE OF A lITTlE

kNOWN ARABIAN SUlTANATE kNOWN AS MUSCAT & OMAN.

HIS MAJESTY SUlTAN QABOOS BIN SAID Al SAID TOOk THE HElM

OF AFFAIRS AND AN EPIC vOYAGE BEGAN. HIS MAJESTY INSPIRED

THE NATION TO COME TOGETHER FOR PROGRESS. WITH UNITY

AND PEACE RESTORED TO THE lAND, THE NATION AND ITS PEOPlE

GIRDED THEMSElvES TO FORGE A MODERN, PEACEFUl

AND PROSPEROUS STATE FOUNDED ON THE IDEAlS

AND vISION OF HIS MAJESTY.

HIS GUIDING HANDS HAvE AlWAYS GIvEN OMAN AND ITS PEOPlE

A SAFE HARBOUR THOUGH ERAS OF POlITICAl AND ECONOMIC

TURMOIl AND HAS GIvEN THE COUNTRY THE CONFIDENCE TO

AWAIT A NEW DAWN.

Hands At The HelmA tribute to the visionary

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lIkE A SEASONED CAPTAIN OF THE SEA, HIS MAJESTY HAS SUCCESSFUllY

NAvIGATED OMAN FROM THE SHORES OF OBlIvION INTO THE GlOBAl lIMElIGHT

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Like a seasoned captain of the sea, His Majesty has successfully navigated Oman from the shores of oblivion into the global limelight. With his courage and daring, his wisdom and vision, Sultan Qaboos guiding hands have steered Oman towards unprecedented progress.

At tHE HElm Day: November 18, Year: 1940, Place: Salalah. The destinys child was born to loving parents. His fathers first gift to him was the prophetic name: Qaboos, which meant granting of abounding wealth and prosperity. In the decades to follow, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, the eighth ruler of the Al Busaidi dynasty, fulfilled all the aspirations of his name.

At Salalah, the young heir used to start his day early, riding the best racing horses. He had a keen interest in history and passion for the Arabic language. As a young man, he left for foreign lands for further education. Graduation at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst helped shape His Majestys worldview. After Sandhurst, His Majesty served with a British infantry battalion on duty in Germany. He then studied local government in England. After a world tour, the future heir returned home to Salalah where he spent the next six years studying Islam and understandingthe history of the Sultanate and its people.

On a memorable mid-summers day, 23rd July 1970, the helm of this land of myth, mystery and adventure were securely put into his capable hands.

HArd AstErn On 9th August 1970, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin

HANDS AT THE HElMA TRIbUTE TO THE VISIONARY

Said made his first declaration changing the name of the country from Muscat and Oman to The Sultanate of Oman. It was his hands that unfurled for the first time, the proud pennant that is now the symbol of Oman. His actions clearly indicated the direction in which His Majesty wished to steer Oman from an isolated oasis toa commercial and cultural hub.

An early challenge was the armed Communist insurgency, which led to the Dhofar War. His Majesty suppressed the rebellion with a firm hand and yet, his touch only showed benevolence as he granted amnesty to all surrendering rebels. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos abolished all harsh restrictions signaling to the world that his was a modernand mature approach to nation building.

Action stAtions As the young Sultan embarked on the arduous journey of rejuvenating the country, his clarion call to his people united one and all to strive to create a modern nation. It has been his hands that showed the direction of organic growth that has now borne fruit with Oman becoming one of the fastest growing countries in the GCC.

His Majestys visionary hands have steered the Sultanate into a strategic position in the global geo-political arena, sculpting in the process a progressive society and a development friendly regime. He established a modern government structure and launched major development programs aimed at eradicating disease, illiteracy and poverty.

Adroit cAptAincy Early in the development race, His Majestys visionary


39


40 years of triumphant reign - His Majesty steered the nation from an isolated Oasis to a commercial & cultural hub

40


outlook and far sightedness took into account Omans limited oil reserves and therefore he instituted economic planning and spearheaded the campaign for diversification of the income base. Under his guiding hand, the private sector was encouraged to engage, invest and pursue entrepreneurial initiatives. Citizens were included and empowered to participate in building the country on the basis of the rule of law. His Majesty also broadened the basis of the government and Shura (consultation) through the roles of the State Council, and the Shura Council complemented by an independent judicial system.

Sultan Qaboos has formulated a unique foreign policy for Oman, which projects it as a key player on the Middle East and global diplomatic stage. A significant achievement of His Majestys reign has been the pride that he has inculcated in Omani society regarding the Sultanates rich historical and cultural heritage. Many initiatives were launched to not only preserve the historical heritage but also to promote tourism based on sustainability and local culture. While cities have been modernised and new infrastructure created, care has been taken to preserveold monuments and traditional ways of life.

tHE mAn in tHE cAptAins cABin In spite of his preoccupation with official duties, His Majesty has various interests. A skilled horseman, he has made Oman famous for its equestrian festivals and camel races. He has built numerous stables and a stud farm. He always attends the horse race usually held at the beginning of every New Year.

His Majesty takes great interest in the protection of the environment and has instituted the Sultan Qaboos Environment Prize, granted every two years by UNESCO. He loves reading and has a vast personal library with books on different aspects of society, economics, religion, politics, diplomacy and warfare. However, history and local culture remain his favourite subjects. At certain times he joins writers and discusses different subjects with them. He is deeply comitted to the cause of education and has established chairs at various foreign universities including the Sultan of Omans Chair for Arab and Islamic Studies at Melbourne University and a Chair for Water Management and Economic Diversification at the Roosevelt Academy affiliated to Utrecht University in the Netherlands. His Majestys Research Fund provides grants for research projects in the fields of medicine, the sciences, geography and commerce. His greatest pride is the Sultan Qaboos University, established in 1985.

His Majesty takes great interest in Omani folklore and enjoys a wide range of music. This is reflected in the several musical bands that have been formed in Oman in

His Majesty has always shown care & compassion towards his people and the Nation

41


addition to the symphony orchestra. He also encourages the traditional handicrafts of Oman. Photography is another of his pastimes. Sketching and visual arts also draw his keen interest while like any true sailor of the blues, Astronomy and the movement of stars hold great fascination for him. In fact, His Majesty has his own small observatory.

His Majesty is fond of the outdoors and wild life as well as sailing. He practices these interests during his trips in winter when he along with his Ministers travels across the Sultanate from village to village, living in tents under the blue skies or moving from one mountain lodge to another seeking the welfare of his people. His Majestys tours of the wilayats are particularly significant in that they provide a vital and highly personal channel of communication between the leadership and the people, where citizens can speak directly to the Sultan, and express opinions freely. Shooting is a favourite hobby of Sultan Qaboos and he likes testing different types of weapons. His Majesty loves the sea and has often opined that a walk by the sea helps de-stress the body and allows for peaceful thinking.

He also cares a lot about agriculture and horticulture and possesses a number of productive farms and flower gardens. Recently, a variety of scented roses wasinternationally given the name Sultan Qaboos.

The Sultan is a liberal supporter of sport and youth participation. In 1998, he launched two sports trophies and financial grants for the winning clubs in annualfootball and hockey tournaments.

In business, the Sultan has established several annual awards to recognise outstanding Omani ventures andprovide initiatives for excelling in quality.

Traditionally the Sultan holds absolute power. However, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Saids benign and benevolent style of governance and his adherence to democratic principles has earned him the respect of the world community and the unswerving loyalty and affection of his people. A truly great leader, His Majesty has always believed in empowerment and good governance. He has always laid extreme emphasis on strengthening the social fabric of the Omani society by preserving the heritage of the Omani civilisation.

His strAtEgy & dirEctivEs ArE AlWAys AimEdAt AcHiEving tWo mAin goAls: 1. To establish a national spirit as the pillar for the building and development of all areas. This task required a climate of security and safety. 2. To open all sectors to Omani citizens so they may carry

out their role as partners in the process of development.This depended on upgrading of Omans human resources.

While deeply religious and adhering to the principles of Islam and Sharia, His Majestys outlook is liberal and rooted deeply in principles of social justice. A true follower of Islam, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos embodies tolerance and this spirit of unity in diversity has percolated down and is one of the most distinctive features of modern Omani society.

With a vision that is global in its perspective and local in its execution, His Majesty has always strived for active participation of the citizens in the task of nation building. This has directly led to the development of Omans education system and the spectacular strides made in the sphere of healthcare and empowerment of women. Oman is the first Arab country to appoint a woman as an Ambassador, as a Minister and to have elected womenrepresentatives to its Majlis Al-Shura.

His Majestys personal style is of cautious reasoning, deliberation and confident decision making an approach that has not only given Oman its stable macroeconomic environment but also underlies the success of the national development plans, and the huge change and tremendous progress achieved in all sectors of the economy. This quiet confidence and mature decision making is also the reason why Oman has not been afraid to take strong positions in favour of peaceful negotiations even in the most charged conflicts. The Peace Prizes bestowed upon him by Russia and India are a recognition of his contribution to the causeof peace, co-operation and international understanding.

Full stEAm AHEAd It is His Majestys far sightedness that made it all possible. A leader of outstanding ability, H. M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said recognises the forthcoming challenges and is planning ahead so that his people and his beloved country can harness the power of the changing winds to achieve greater progress for all.

His Majesty has therefore put into place an ambitious program of capacity building in the last few years thus leading to a major spurt in industrial activity and tourism projects worth billions of dollars are under execution. Supporting infrastructure like real estate, roads, ports and airports are also underway, laying the foundation for years of prosperous growth ahead. The country has truly adopted the Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations and is slowly transforming itself into a Knowledge society through the ICT revolution and e-governance initiatives. Today, as the Sultanate progresses from a developing

His Majestys far sightednes & recognising forthcoming challenges has helped him to achieve inevitable success

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nation to a more matured economic player, His Majestys hands are at the helm, ushering in Omans second golden age. In todays difficult global economic climate, it is his hands that are gesturing prudence, reigning in inflation and providing direction to Omans strategy in the newmillennium growth stakes.

A significant achievement of His Majestys reign has been the pride that he has inculcated in Omani society regarding the Sultanates rich

historical and cultural heritage.

YearsYearsYearsRenaissance Day

Felicitations to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the occasion of the

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THIS FAR-FlUNG OUTPOST OF OMAN IS HOME TO MAJESTIC FJORDS,

SCHOOlS OF DOlPHINS AND AN ANTIQUATED CHARM THAT IS

MAkING IT A HAUNT FOR DISCERNING TRAvEllERS. THE RUGGED

lANDSCAPES BlEND INTO lUxURIOUSlY APPOINTED RESORTS

AND A NEW FAST FERRY SERvICE HAS BROUGHT THIS PROvINCIAl

CAPITAl WITHIN HAIlING DISTANCE OF MUSCAT.

kHASAB IS FAST SHEDDING ITS PROvINCIAl IMAGE TO EMERGE AS

A MAJOR ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION IN OMAN AND IS GEARED TO

SPEARHEAD DEvElOPMENT IN THE ENTIRE MUSANDAM PENINSUlA.

khasab Unique Inlet

IT IS NOT THE SHIP SO MUCH AS THE SkIllFUl SAIlING THAT ASSURES

THE PROSPEROUS vOYAGE GEORGE WIllIAM CURTIS

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The unique peninsula of Musandam juts into the Strait of Hormuz in a wildly emphatic way. Its sometimes 2000 meter high mountains stoop abruptly to kiss the seas at their feet while its craggy crevices play host to many villages. This northernmost part of the Sultanate is wildly beautiful and ruggedly welcoming. While its ancient history is intriguing, its planned future seems incredibly full of opportunities.

Historic tiEsThe history of the Musandam peninsula is perhaps a microcosm of the role of the oceans in the development of man. Khasab derives its pre-eminence from its location in the Strait of Hormuz, which is the only entry point from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman and provides a key crossing point to 90% of the Gulfs oil shipped all over the world.

Archaeological sites along the west coast of the peninsula have revealed settlements of the Sasanian period (100 BC to AD 400) suggesting that in ancient times, this headland provided safe anchorage for vessels passing through the entrance to the Gulf. The pottery also matches similar pieces found in Iran, distinct evidence of early maritime activity. Other excavations indicate continuous occupation extending from the Abbasid period to the seventeenth century. In the 19th century, at the height of Sayyid Said bin Sultans rule, Omans maritime possessions stretched to Musandam. At Limah two deserted villages show evidence of occupation extending from the ninth century to the Portuguese period (sixteenth century). Luxury imported wares have been found in the ruins indicating a flourishing civilisation. Mudha archaeological finds prove

kHASAbUNIQUE INlET

that there have been settlers in the region for over 3500 years and ancient rock paintings date back to pre-Islamic days. Excavations have revealed ruins from the Iron Age, 1000 - 1500 years BC. Telegraph Island, was reportedly used by the British in the late 1800s while laying a cable between India and Basra in Iraq. Not many people know that it gave the English language one of the most famous phrases: many British serviceman went around the bend from madness in the summer heat and total isolation of the place.

Khasab, currently a port city of around 25,000 inhabitants can trace its history back many centuries. Explorations have revealed some fragments of good quality Chinese porcelain proving ancient Omans far-flung oceanic activities and sea faring capabilities. In the Wadi al Ayn, some 5 km south of Khasab, three pre-Islamic burial cairns dating to the third millennium have been found. The Asabon promontory that Ptolemy refers to has generally been accepted as that of the Ras Musandam and the Ichthyophagi as an indigenous population along the Arabian shore. Recent examination indicates that Ptolemys Rhegama is Khasab while Dibba is accepted as Plinys Dabanegoris region.

Khasab was of strategic importance during the Portuguese period apparent from the round tower built in 1623. The Portuguese Admiral Ruy Freyre in the summer of 1624 sailed from Muscat to the Musandam to continue the war against the Persians. Contemporary records refer to the population of Khasab taking refuge in the hills when the Portuguese landed. Ruys commentaries describe it as a fortress on a hill with a garrison of 400 Persian soldiers within. There is evidence to suggest that the castle


49


Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay is the first iconic luxury resort on Omans mountaineous Musandam Peninsula

50


reminiscent of the fjords of Norway and provide ample opportunity for eco-tourism.

One great way to explore the fjords is in a dhow, the traditional fishing boat. As they are not motorised, the plentiful wildlife including dolphins and even whales that live in the waterways come even closer to the boat. The waters are a deep Prussian and there are spectacular coral reefs for snorkeling or diving. In fact, Khasabs environs give opportunity for wall diving and night dives in Musandam are even more enchanting because the nocturnal denizens of the deep come out in their plentiful splendour. Delicate coral polyps emerge from their limestone skeletons; crinoids open up their feathery arms; the eyes of shrimps and crabs glow like red embers,

was built on the ruins of an earlier Omani fortification. The Portuguese constructed the present fortress at the beginning of the 17th century. A quarter of a century later the Portuguese were expelled from Oman and the Castle was modified by Omani forces to suit their own military needs. This castle, now a museum, houses three traditional boats from Kumzar, as well as a traditional palm fronds (arsh) house elevated on pillars of stone to catch the sea breeze. The town also has a number of towers: Al Siba; Kabas Al Kasr; and the tower of Said Bin Amad bin Sulaiman Aal Malik which is the remains of what was a huge fort.

The peninsula is today mainly inhabited by the semi-nomadic Shihuh. There is speculation, that they are the original inhabitants of Arabia - pushed back into Musandams mountain security by Arab invaders of pre-Islamic days. The Shihuh men carry a long-handled axe, rather than the traditional curved Arab dagger, or khanjar, perhaps a vestigial remnant of a prehistoric weapon.

The seas have not only given this region its importance and its livelihood but also its unique culture. The nicer houses in have three doors: one for guests, one for family, and one for goats! Around Kumzar, the current language is Kumzari, a mixture of Portuguese, Hindu, Arab, Persian, and a little bit of British! Pottery is a tradition that is still practiced, the local designs showing distinct cross cultural influences.

Ecotourism BEckonsThe grandeur of Musandam can best be explored by sea. The towering cliffs and their rocky outcrops magnificently reflected in the water of the sheltered khors are strikingly

Khasabs environs give opportunity for wall diving and night dives in Musandam are even more enchanting

because the nocturnal denizens of the deep come out in their plentiful splendour.

Oman boasts of a varied species of aquatic and bird life

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to spearhead the development effort. Much has changed since then. Besides a new hospital and an airfield from which Oman Air flew daily flights to Muscat, a network of first gravel and then blacktopped roads linking all major towns were built. Cold storage depots, hundreds of homes, schools, desalination plants and electric power stations were put in place. Hotels and banks came up and most important, a modern port was constructed at Khasab.

In the last few years, the government has again pushed through major developments that are likely to change the whole economic fabric of the Musandam peninsula. Recent developments include the coastal road connecting Khasab to the UAE which is expected to usher in a windfall of business opportunities, boost tourism and generate employment. Year 2007 saw the inauguration of the Khasab Port expansion built at a cost of over RO15.8 million. Barwil Unitor Ships Service (BUSS), a joint venture

parrotfish inhabit their protective bubbles and hunting schools of lionfish are around. The twilight comes alive with tales of the deep, of sea armadas and pirates while the stars above steadily multiply and the waves below sing you a lullaby.

You can go sailing or sport fishing or explore the islands. The sunrise from Goat Island is beautiful with absolutely fantastic views of the fords and waves crashing on the rocks. Humpback whales use the area as a breeding ground, and a whale watching expedition can be extremely rewarding for nature lovers. The Sham Fjord is one of the richest areas in the world for scuba diving and snorkelling. Deep into Sham Fjord, one comes across Telegraph Island. Mountain safaris up to Jebel Harim, the Mountain Of Women, make for popular daytrips, the name coming from the days when the menfolk spent long stretches at sea, leaving the women to run things back home. It is not uncommon to find 50 million-year-old fossils of starfish and shelled sea creatures embedded in rock at an elevation of 1600m making one wonder about the prehistory of the area, which is also home to the only fjord accessible by road, Khor al Najd; Khasab Town (Khasab means fertility in Arabic) is a picturesque fishing village, with clean streets bordered with an attractive yet humble Arab architecture. Khasab Fort, once the local rulers residence is now a museum. For more than four centuries, has cast its strong shadow over the sands of the khawr.

Bukha, lying to the west of Khasab, contains many caves. The fort of Al Qalaa is located atop one of these mountains. Dibba, is characterised by its vast fjords in which fishing boats take refuge during storms. Mudha is irrigated by afalaj and natural springs, some of which have rather unusual properties: Al Sheikh Mohammed bin Salim al Madhani falaj is cold in the summer and warm during the winter; Al Samaai spring contains sulphurous water, which is said to treat skin disorders.

Trips 1,200 meters above sea level to the village of Akag Al Asoo, with its terraced fields and wild flowers; or to Wadi Al Bih to see its abundance of petrogliphs; a boat trip around the gulf of Oman; a challenging hike across wadis and small settlements all these and more is what Musandam gives you.

One of the new luxury resorts that has opened in this Norway of Arabia is the Six Senses Hideaway at Zighy Bay. The setting of the indigenous village style accommodations and private marina is dramatic, with mountains on one side and a 1.6-kilometer sandy beach on the other. There is the understated serenity of the Six Senses Spa complete with an Ice Cave. They have also

recently introduced three different ecotourism camps set in remote areas of stunning natural beauty, one on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, one high on a rocky plateau, virtually touching the stars and one nestled into the wadi. Guests can experience the absolute silence and wonder of these spectacular lands, whilst enjoying the depth of comfort and level of luxury, which Six Senses is famous for, and being sure in the knowledge that no trace of their stay will be left behind to tarnish it.

Indeed, this northernmost corner of the Sultanate is likely to see a tourism boom in the coming years and is widely seen to be a new tourism frontier with a potential to become a major regional hotspot in the coming years.

dEvElopmEnt mEAsurEsDue to its geographical position and mountainous terrain, Musandam was isolated from the rest of Oman until the Renaissance. The government, in 1976, set up a special agency, the Musandam Development Committee (MDC)

In Oman, tourists can enjoy the opportunity of sailing, sport fishing, exploring the islands and dolphin watching

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between Wilhelsmsen Maritime Services and the WJ Towell Group of Oman, Inchscape Shipping and GAC are all operating from Khasab. Following the grant of approval in 2008, a PSC-led joint venture to operate and manage Port Khasab is contemplating developing a free zone in the vicinity of the port.

Connectivity has greatly improved since August 2008 with the worlds fastest passenger ferry launching service between Muscat and Musandam. Billed at an initial investment of $150 million, the ferry will service Shinas, Khasab, Limah and Dibba regions. Last year, the Ministry of Transport unveiled plans for an international-class airport at Khasab with runways capable of taking in the largest aircrafts complete with cargo facilities and a terminal building with a capacity of 250,000 passengers per annum. The proposed greenfield airport will serve as a modern gateway into a region that holds significant potential for investment not only in tourism, but also in hydrocarbons development and maritime transport thus contributing to employment generation as well. Significant budget allocations have been made towards the strengthening of Musandams road network.

New commercial ports, complete with marinas for tourist yachts and jetties for high speed ferries, at Dibba and Lima in the Governorate have already been tendered for. In November 2009, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos issued his Royal orders to carry out development and service projects in the Musandam governorate including the construction of a total of 702 kilometres of roads and 500 housing units. One of the most important projects being carried out in the Wilayat of Khasab will be the Khasab-al Khaldiyah road. An agreement worth RO 305,000, was signed with Koy and Partners to provide consultation services for designing and supervising the construction of Diba-Lima-Khasab road (second phase). Omantel is also carrying out a project to construct 3G telephone stations in the governorate.

Investments in hydrocarbons offshore and energy are also expected to grow in the coming years. Oman Oil Company has already invited bids for Musandam Oil Pipeline and Processing Project, a project estimated to be in the range of $300 million to $500 million. Tourism has also started to realise Musandams potential.

The international consulting firm, AECOM has developed the Musandam Tourism Strategy based on ecotourism principles. The planned infrastructure developments, along with ongoing and new investments in luxury hotels and resorts, will also drive up tourist inflows into this stunningly beautiful region of Oman. On the heels of Six Senses Zighy Bay, Alila Hotels and Resorts, Asias leading boutique hotel management company is developing Alila Villas Musandam, a magnificent residential and resort development also encompassing a five-star hotel with one-bedroom villas, destination spa and leisure facilities. Horizons Nouveaux and Al Marsa Musandam have teamed up with Six Senses to deliver the first tented eco friendly camp experience in Musandam,

All these developments bode well for tourism and socio-economic development in this strategically important corner of the Sultanate, where every day brings epic adventures and a sense of discovering a hidden jewel of Mother Nature.

The Musandam Peninsula opens to a horizon of opportunities

SOHAR HAS RISEN TO BECOME THE SYMBOl OF OMANS INCREASING

ECONOMIC DIvERSITY AND ITS BURGEONING INDUSTRIAl SECTOR

TO CREATE ONE OF THE REGIONS FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIC

POWERHOUSES. FROM INDUSTRIAl ClUSTERS TO INTEGRATED

INFRASTRUCTURE DEvElOPMENT, SOHAR IS THE NEW URBAN

lANDSCAPE OF A THOUSAND AMBITIONS

AND MEGA DREAMS REAlISED.

SOHAR, THE BIRTHPlACE OF THE MYTHICAl SINDBAD,

THE lEGENDARY SAIlOR HAS ONCE AGAIN FUlFIllED

ITS MARITIME DESTINY WITH THE PORT OF SOHAR AT

THE vANGUARD OF OMANS ECONOMIC PROWESS.

Sohar Prosperous Seaport

A vANGUARD OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY

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SOHARPROSPEROUS SEAPORTBelieved to be the birthplace of Sindbad, this city on the Sultanates fertile Batinah coast, is a paragon of planned development, a harbinger of Omans grand vision. Its modern port, industrial area, metal and petrochemical clusters, a modern township, state-of the art infrastructure and strategic location all make Sohar the hotspot on Arabias development map.

Indeed, in a span of just a few years, the Port of Sohar has progressed rapidly from sea shanties to a well-orchestrated symphony of progress.

lEgEndAry voyAgErThe Batinah area of Oman has a long history of maritime and industrial activity. Sohar, the main city of trade centuries ago, was renowned for its rich copper deposits, which in fact caused Oman to be known as Magan (Sumerian word for Copper) in early times. Archaeological evidence points to copper extraction being carried out 5000 years ago. Sohar, on Omans northern coast was then the countrys largest town and a seaport of international repute. Indeed, at one time it was the capital of Oman.

One of the first references to Sohar is in the work of historian, Yaqut al Hamawi who implies that the city took its name in the 6th century AH from a descendent of Noah: Sohar bin Adam bin Sam bin Noah. When the Palestinian Arab scholar Muqadisi visited the city in 10th century AH he described it as a flourishing city with a large number of people living there. It is a beautiful city with a comfortable life, and its mosque overlooks the seathe Mihrab (indicator of the direction for prayers) changes colour because it is covered in copper. The

great Arab geographer al-Istakhri described 10th century Sohar as .. the heart of Oman, .. rich with shops where ships anchor. It is the oldest city in Oman and the most wealthy one. There in no more prosperous and developed city on the Persian Sea and Muslim countries other than Sohar.

Chinese historical records show that an Omani Jewish merchant from Sohar - Ishaq bin Yahuda, visited China before 912 and later one Sheikh Abdullah, also from Sohar, became director of foreigners in Canton around 1027AD. Their port of Sohar was referred to as the Emporium of the World for, with the rise of Bagdad, it was well positioned to supply the Muslim and Chinese Empires every luxury known to man.

The Sohar Fort, built between the 13th and 14th century AD is one of the most prominent relics of the citys illustrious past. An escape tunnel from inside the fort runs to the Wilayat of Buraimi, 10km to the west. It was used as a route to obtain reinforcements and supplies during sieges.

By the Middle Ages, Oman had established itself as a prosperous seafaring nation, sending dhows from its great port at Sohar to trade with merchants in far flung destinations. Records indicate that at this time Sohar was one of the largest and most important cities in the Arab world. The Chinese Ming Dynasty, in the early fifteenth century sent a series of trading fleets. These fleet frequently used Sohar for one of the principal Silk routes was by sea.

Sohar is widely believed to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor, the legendary figure from the Arabian Nights.


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due to the recession and economic crisis, the Port of Sohar is witnessing an increase in the number of vessels calling the port every year. Overall the cargo throughout increased by 39% of freight tones from 6.9 million tones in 2008 to 9.7 million tones in 2009. The port received 800 vessels last year and 300 vessels have already called the port from January to April this year. It is anticipated that 2010 will end with a further 30.7% volume gain to 13.95mn tonnes. The strong gains are a function of capacity expansion as the ports ambitious development programme and the ongoing Phase 3 expansion moves ahead and it takes advantage of its position outside the Straits of Hormuz to capture more regional and international trade.

Within a few years of its establishment, the industrial port is flooded with huge international investments in industries and infrastructure projects. It has become the mother lode feeding the regional economy in particular and the national economy in general, by supplying raw materials and commodities and carrying the finished goods to different markets of the world, from a number of petrochemical, logistic and metal industries that have cropped up around the port in recent times. The industrial area of the Port of Sohar currently houses three clusters: logistics, petrochemicals and metals. World-leading companies Air Liquide, Alcan, Hutchison Port Holdings, Larsen & Toubro, LG, MAN Ferrostaal, Methanol Holding International, Odfjell, Oiltanking, Shadeed Iron & Steel,

His character may have been fictitious, but is almost certainly based upon the real exploits of merchants, such as the Omani known as Abu Ubadyda who sailed to China in 750 AD. So enduring are the towns links to Sinbad that in 1980, as a celebration of Omani seafaring, the Omani Government gave their full backing to the adventurer, historian and writer Tim Severin, who decided to re-create the sailors voyage to China, replicated an early Omani ship, called it the Sohar and sailed it to Canton.

In the 18th century, the Iranians occupied Sohar as well as Muscat. The Wali of Sohar, Ahmad bin Said managed to effectively defeat the Persians in 1744 AD. In recognition of this victory he was elected Imam and encouraged trade and commerce bringing prosperity to the country. Later on Sohar and Muscat became centres of rivalry between cousins of the ruling dynasty.

Inspite of its great seafaring traditions, in pre-Renaissance Oman, Sohar was just another provincial town and a fishing harbour. Then came the modern Port of Sohar and the rest as they say is history.

HigH tidEThe modern Port of Sohar, situated 240 km northwest of Muscat, has added a new dimension to Omans maritime ambitions. With current investments exceeding $14billion it is one of the worlds largest port development projects. The management of the port is under the Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a 50-50 joint venture between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The original agreement included a port area of 2100 ha for SIPC to manage and develop until 2025. Today, the port is fully operational with state-of-the-art facilities and is run according to highest international standards. It has even received the prestigious DIMA Award for Outstanding Port Management.

The Port of Sohars advantage lies in its geographical position. It is at the centre of the booming triangle of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat. Furthermore, as it is located just outside the Strait of Hormuz, which is a major traffic hub for oil and gas shipments, the Port of Sohar allows ships to avoid increased insurance premiums, making it an ideal logistics hub. The three terminals are operated by world class leading companies. Steinweg for general cargo, Odfjell/Oiltanking for liquid and OICT for containers. The container handling facility at the port presently has a capacity of over 2.1 million TEU per annum with around 22 berths. The first vessel called the Port of Sohar in 2004 for delivering components in constructing the present industries.

Though ports across the world suffered setbacks in 2009

Beautifying the Nation has been of prime importance for His Majesty

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Steinweg and Suez have already made Sohar their preferred port of call. The port facilities are currently undergoing expansion and it recently signed three contracts for financing, dredging and constructing the 1380-meter long and 25 meter deep-water jetty. The new deep water jetty in the Port of Sohar is set to be ready in the first quarter of 2011. Investments worth billions of dollars are still in the pipeline to develop additional port facilities, heavy industries and utilities. The industrial projects in the Sohar port industrial area, would go a long way in achieving the long-term strategy to diversify Omans economy as per the Oman Vision 2020.

cAsting oFF tHE mooringsThe goal of the Omani government is to make Sohar a business and industrial hub and help the Omani economy diversify away from oil. The government has adopted an integrated development model and a clustered approach to develop the industrial hinterland of the Port of Sohar. The most important rationale behind this integrated development model is to ensure economies of scale by reducing the operating cost and optimum utilisation of infrastructure for industrial units, as opposed to creating infrastructure and logistics service for different industries separately.

The industries have been established in three clusters petrochemical, logistics and metal industries to ensure integrated production and marketing. The petrochemical cluster of Sohar port project consists of a refinery and production plants for aromatics, formaldehyde, methanol, polyethylene, polypropylene, urea etc.

Sohar Refinery, established in 2007 and currently managed by the Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company LLC (ORPC) is anchoring the development of the petrochemical cluster at Sohar by providing raw materials for downstream development. A number of industrial units coming up in Sohar are gas based industries.

Oman Polypropylene L.L.C. (OPP) is the Omani based world-class petrochemical company based in Sohar. It is amongst the leading manufactures of polypropylene companies in the Gulf with a capacity of 340,000 MT /Year with technology from Novolen. Oman Methanol Company LLC is a joint venture between Methanol Holding International Limited (MHIL) of Trinidad, the Omzest Group of Oman & MAN Ferrostaal AG of Germany. The project is a 3000 MTPD plant using Johnson Matthey LPM technology as originally developed by ICI. Aromatics Oman is the most prestigious project and yet another milestone in the strategic development of Sohar. The plant principally utilises technology licensed from Axens to produce 819,000 tpa of Paraxylene (PX) and 210,000 tpa

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of Benzene (BZ) which are used to produce a wide range of petrochemical intermediaries. In partnership with LG, the plant started commercial production in 2010. Sohar International Urea and Chemical Industries SAOC (SIUCI) sent the first shipment of granular urea on the bulk carrier MV Pacific Grace in June, 2009 at the SIUCI Terminal, the berth allocated at Sohar Port to SIUCI for its dedicated use. The first shipment is being dispatched to Australia, which is one of the most discerning markets for urea in the world.

An agreement was recently signed between the Port of Sohar and the Mashael Group of Companies regarding the construction of the first specialised bitumen refinery in the region that is set to break ground by the end of this year and completed by 2012. The investment is worth over US$200 million. The plant will utilise the latest technologies to provide a one-stop bitumen supply centre with a capacity of 30,000 bpd, producing up to 1 million tons of bitumen a year, about 20% of which is prioritised for the Omani market.

The metal cluster includes a steel complex and aluminium production. There are still three copper mines in operation in Sohar with over 18 million tons of copper deposits. The government is investing more than 5 billion dollars in the steel industry. Shadeed Iron & Steel, Sharq Sohar Steel Rolling Mills (SSSRM) and the huge L&T Modular Fabrication Yard are some of the major anchors of the steel related industries in Sohar. Vale, the Brazilian giant and the largest iron ore company in the world is investing US$ 1.4 billion and has started the construction of a pelletizing plant in the beginning of 2009 that will supply the region with steel pellets. The plant will have a capacity of 9 million t/y of direct reduction pellets. The first plant is expected to be completed by end of 2010 and the second one is expected to be completed in January 2011.

In addition, Sohar will also function as the distribution centre for iron ore to be exported to the Middle East, India and Africa. Since then Oman Shipping Company, owned by Government of Oman, signed a deal with a Chinese shipbuilder to build four of the worlds largest iron ore carriers for transporting iron ore from Brazil to the Port of Sohar. The final piece of the project; to construct a large deep-water jetty capable of receiving the next generation of Very Large Ore Carriers of 400.000 dwt to the Port of Sohar in Oman, is also being contracted. The Port of Sohar will be one of few ports in the world with the possibility to receive these large vessels as the jetty will have a draft of 25 meters.

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Sohar Aluminium Company, Omans first foray into the Aluminium industry was established in 2004 and has been breaking records since its inception. By implementing decades of industry insight in its design, specification and construction Sohar Aluminium has been created to ensure efficiency, environmental protection and the utmost safety of its workforce. Sohar Aluminium intends to become a benchmark smelter while contributing to the sustainable development of Oman.

The addendum to the original concession agreement for the Port of Sohar was signed in 2007 to develop and manage 4500 ha for establishing the Freezone Sohar. The work in preparing for this big development has moved in to the next phase with a contract being signed by SIPC with Mott MacDonald & Co LLC for the design and engineering services including master planning and infrastructure designs for Freezone Sohar. Another contract was signed for the establishment of an Oil & Gas enclave within the Freezone Sohar.

Meanwhile the Sohar Industrial Estate managed by PEIE is also undergoing expansion to accommodate more light and medium industries. The Finance Ministry recently approved agreement for designing and construction of a gas line for Sohar Industrial Estate at a cost of RO 1.48 million.

From tHE BridgEIn many ways, Sohars development mirrors the Sultanate of Omans own development philosophy of driving forward at a formidable pace, while respectful of its cultural heritage and values. The Omani government has paid special attention to the city of Sohar. It is an attractive region for tourists due to its clean, safe beaches and the plethora of archaeological features. The government has encouraged private investors to build world-class residential, commercial and recreational facilities while it has provided basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, water and sewerage.

The Sohar International School and the Sohar University are private endeavours to develop the human resources of the region. Sohar University is the first private university in Oman, and provides high quality education for Omani as well as international students with quality assurance from The University of Queensland in Australia. The University is now even gearing up to offer Doctoral studies. The government recently signd an agreement for providing technical support for the Applied Science Colleges in Sohar for around RO 1 million.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and the Oman Airports Management Company are going ahead with building a new international airport at Sohar. The Sohar Airport to be built at a cost of around $400 million, shall have a passenger terminal that is able to handle 500,000 passengers and runways that can accommodate the largest aircrafts. The airport shall also have a huge cargo terminal with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes. The airport is likely to be operational by 2013.

Recently, the Government of Oman awarded Frances Systra the contract to carry out preparatory work for the construction of Omans section of the GCC Railway project. As per reports it will conduct a four month study into track alignment for the first phase of the railway, which will run from the port city of Sohar to the capital Muscat. Phase I of this project entails construction of a freight link between Muscat and Sohar, followed by a passenger system. There are plans to further link up the network with internal railway lines in the Sultanate passing through Muscat.

It is evident from the buzz of commercial, industrial and infrastructure activity going on around Sohar that, this ancient port is all set to dominate the sea and trade routes of the new millennium with a model of sustained and responsible economic development.

The modern Port of Sohar, situated 240 km northwest of Muscat, has added a new dimension to Omans

maritime ambitions. With current investments exceeding $14billion it is one of the worlds largest

port development projects.

THE lYRICAllY BEAUTIFUl CAPITAl OF OMAN EMBODIES

THE MYTH, THE lEGEND AND THE MYSTERY THAT IS ARABIA.

THE CITY PRESENTS A vERDANT vISTA WITH FlOWERS AND

FOUNTAINS AND WEll-PRESERvED HISTORICAl MONUMENTS THAT

HARMONIOUSlY BlEND WITH MODERN AMENITIES. THE SENTINEl

TOWERS OF THE JAlANI AND MIRANI FORTS THAT OvERlOOk THE

HARBOUR, NOW WElCOME NOT ONlY HUGE TRADING vESSElS

BUT AlSO DISCERNING TOURISTS ARRIvING ON MAMMOTH CRUISE

lINERS EAGER TO ExPERIENCE THIS ExOTIC DESTINATION.

THIS JEWEl OF ARABIA, IS AlSO THE FOUNTAINHEAD OF OMANS

ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND ITS CUlTURAl AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE

AND IS HOME TO A MlANGE OF NATIONAlITIES, PROOF OF

OMANS TOlERANT AND PROGRESSIvE REGIME.

Muscat Safe Harbour

NEvER lOSE AN OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING ANYTHING BEAUTIFUl,

FOR BEAUTY IS GODS HANDWRITING RAlPH WAlDO EMERSON

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As ancient as it is new, Muscat is being discovered again by the world. Its rich history, great trading prowess, welcoming citizens and zen for modern development are all gifts of the great seas that surround it. The sea and the contact it brought Muscat many millenia ago made it not only a great civilisation but also endowed it with the capacity and foresight to adopt a modern approach to nation building under the visionary leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.

Today, Muscat stands unique amongst other cities of Arabia, protective of its heritage and culture and yet open to progress and empowerment of its citizens.

AnciEnt AncHorAgEThe first settlement around Muscat has been archaeologically dated to the 6th millennium BC in Ras al-Hamra, where burial sites of fishermen have been found. South of Muscat, remnants of Harappan pottery indicate some level of contact with the Indus Valley Civilisation. Muscats port was acknowledged as early as the 1st century AD by the Greek geographer Ptolemy who referred to it as Cryptus Portus (the Hidden Port), and by Pliny the Elder, who called it Amithoscuta. The port fell to a Sassanid invasion in the 3rd century AD and came under the rule of Shapur. Muscats importance as a trading port continued to grow in the centuries that followed, under the influence of the local Azd dynasty. Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama put Muscat on the map when he happened upon the region on his way to India. By the beginning of the 16th century, Muscat had gathered momentum as a trading hub used by merchant ships bound for India. In 1507, Vasco da Gama returned and the Portuguese armies invaded, making Muscat their commercial and

naval base. The city walls were constructed at this time (a refurbished set remains in the same position), but neither the wall nor the two Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali could prevent the Omani reconquest of the town in 1650 by Imam Sultan bin Saif. On August 16, 1648 the Imam dispatched an army to Muscat, which captured and demolished the high towers of the Portuguese, weakening their grip over the town. Decisively, in 1650, a small but determined body of the Imams troops attacked the port at night, forcing an eventual Portuguese surrender. In 1737, Muscat was invaded and briefly occupied by the Persians, who in turn were defeated by Admad bin Said. Muscat became the capital of Oman and the focus of the countrys great seafaring empire of the 18th and 19th centuries. An invasion in 1803 by Saudi Arabia was effectively repulsed. The capital was however transferred to Zanzibar in 1853, which led to a decline in Omans development. Muscat was attacked by tribes from the interior in 1895 and again in 1915.

Having controlled great empires, Muscats 20th-century descent into international oblivion was poignant and sad. The city gates remained resolutely locked against the outside world until 1970. Muscat finally reawakened when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos ascended the throne and brought in a welcome breeze of progressive thinking. His Majesty settled in Muscat and has pursued policies of social and economic development. The citys impressive natural harbour became a busy port, with two medieval fortifications and a stunning palace overlooking the harbour. A new international airport was built in Muscats Seeb areat. A complex of offices, warehouses, shops and homes transformed the old village of Ruwi into the Central Business District. The first five-year development plan in 1976 emphasised infrastructure development of Muscat,

MUSCATSAFE HARbOUR


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Oman has grown from an agrarian rural economy to a modern industrialised nation. The transformation has been a rapid one and above all, complete

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inaugurated at Port Sultan Qaboos recently. Arriving passengers are processed through immigration, customs and health quarantine formalities in comfortable settings. The Muscat facility boasts an information centre, cafeteria, Internet caf, restroom facilities and other amenities associated with international-class reception facilities for cruise passengers. A shopping arcade is anchored by a Duty Free Area where tourists can shop for perfumes, cosmetics, photo-electronic products, confectionery, jewellery, travel and fashion accessories as well as Omani heritage items.

Alongside the port and commercial marinas, the National Ferries Co. has started fest ferry services to regional towns with the first route opened to Khasab last year. There are plans to make five more routes to Sur, Masirah, etc operational in the next couple of years.

The government is working hard to build new roads and highways both within the capital area as well as to provide better linkage with other regional cities. The recently completed Southern Expressway has greatly eased traffic within the city and the industrial areas of Ghala and Rusayl. With the opening of the Sur-Quriyat road, Muscat and Sur are now just two and a half hours apart along a scenic drive bordering the sea. Other important road projects are also at various stages of planning and construction.

The main airport in Muscat is being upgraded to include a new terminal building and runways. Last year, it handled just over 3 million international visitors. The new airport when built in a few years time (construction has already started) will be able to handle 12 million passengers per annum and will be equipped to accommodate the next generation of aircrafts. Continued government support has made Omans national airline, Oman Air, a premium airline in the region. Recently an agreement has been signed with the National Air Transportation Company to re-design and plan air routes over Omans skies.

As part of the GCC railway plan, the Sultanate has already commissioned studies to finalise the first first rail route between Muscat and Sohar. Studies have also been awarded for studying the most applicable Mass Transport System for the capital. An extensive communications network including fixed and mobile phone services, radio, television and broadband internet. The city has also made great strides in provision of utilities like water networks and sewerage networks. Muscat also regularly wins international awards for its environmental sustainability and conservation measures as evidenced by the green vistas and floral tableaus that greet any visitor.

which provided new opportunities for trade and tourism.

modErn cityThe modern day Muscat is in fact made up of several towns, which have amalgamated over the past fifty years to form the metropolis of Muscat. It is a city that has given access to modern conveniences while continuing to keep the integrity of its character. Muscat is a port the like of which cannot be found in the whole world where there is business and good things that cannot be found elsewhere. As the great Arab navigator Ahmed bin Majid al-Najdi recognised in AD 1490; Muscat, even to this day, has a character quite different from neighbouring capitals. There are few high-rise blocks, and even the most functional building is required to reflect tradition with a dome or an arabesque window. The result of these strict building policies is an attractive, spotlessly clean, beautifully adorned, appealingly rustic city not much different in essence from the very elegant town with very fine houses that the Portuguese admiral Alfonso de Alburqueque observed as he sailed towards Muscat in the 16th century.

Muscat means anchorage, and the sea continues to exert an indelible influence on the citys character and its commerce. It brings people on cruise ships and goods in containers to the historic port in Mutrah. It contributes to the citys economy through the onshore refinery near Qurm, and provides a livelihood for fishermen along the beaches of Sidab, Qantab and Athaiba. It is a source of recreation at Al Shatti, Al-Bustan and Bar al Jissah.

A world class infrastructure, social amenities and a burgeoning industrial hub continue to transform Muscat. In

milestones 2010

Documents

navigated oman

oman printers

steered oman

prosperous oman

epic journey9ancient

epic voyage

epic journeyevery day

majesty sultan qabooss