Muscat — The Majlis Ash’shura convened on Monday for its 22nd regular session of the third regular annual sitting of the tenth term, addressing several key legislative items. Chaired by Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of the Majlis Ash’shura, the session covered a range of topics including international agreements, economic reforms, housing policies, tourism development, and food security.
One of the primary issues discussed was a draft agreement between the governments of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The bilateral pact aims to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion, thereby facilitating smoother economic relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The Economic and Financial Committee presented reports on two significant matters. The first focused on establishing an integrated electronic system to streamline corporate tax procedures in conjunction with government entitlements. The system is expected to accelerate administrative processes, improve tax compliance, and enhance overall efficiency in financial collections by promoting coordination among various government institutions. The second report addressed economic diplomacy, exploring its impact, outcomes, and the development of performance measurement indicators to assess effectiveness in advancing Oman’s economic objectives.
In addition, the Services and Public Utilities Committee reported on efforts to improve social housing programs and subsidized housing loans. The discussion emphasized developing these systems to better meet the housing needs of Omani citizens, potentially expanding access to affordable and subsidized accommodations.
The Media, Tourism and Culture Committee contributed with a review of localization policies in the tourism sector. This included evaluating the effectiveness of current programs aimed at increasing local participation and employment within the industry, an important component of Oman's broader economic diversification strategy.
The session concluded with consideration of a report from the Food and Water Security Committee, which examined prospects and challenges tied to the development of future agricultural cities. The committee’s insights are part of ongoing efforts to secure sustainable food resources and address water management in the context of Oman’s arid climate.
The discussions underscore the Majlis Ash’shura’s continued focus on legislative frameworks that support Oman's socio-economic development, while fostering international cooperation and sustainability initiatives.