The State Council convened its ninth session of the third ordinary term of the eighth council period on Wednesday, under the leadership of Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council. The meeting opened with Shaikh Abdulmalik extending congratulations on the occasion of the New Hijri Year and highlighting the positive outcomes of a recent joint session with the Council of Ministers, underscoring ongoing collaboration to advance national development goals.
Three main topics featured on the session’s agenda. The first focused on a unified law concerning the management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Dr. Abdulkarim al Lawati, rapporteur of the Social and Cultural Committee, outlined that the legislation aims to regulate the collection, preservation, evaluation, and classification of plant genetic resources. It also seeks to oversee the transfer of these resources across GCC countries and enhance access to related data for researchers and scientific institutions. Dr. al Lawati emphasized that the law is intended to bolster food security by protecting plant heritage and fostering environmentally compatible agricultural development.
The second topic addressed advancements in the framework for government performance management. Mohammed al Shehhi, rapporteur of the Economic and Financial Committee, noted that Oman has made measurable progress driven by strong royal directives, as well as alignment with national visions, sectoral strategies, and five-year plans. The study reviewed by the council recommended strengthening the legislative and regulatory environment, improving integration among government units, accelerating digital transformation, and cultivating leadership capable of meeting strategic objectives.
The final subject examined was an analysis of the business environment in Oman, focusing on practical measures to enhance entrepreneurship. Mohammed al Ghassani, rapporteur of the Special Committee, described the development of the business climate as a strategic imperative critical to increasing the Omani economy’s competitiveness both regionally and internationally. The study identified challenges at regulatory, institutional, operational, and sectoral levels. While existing legislation and policies provide a foundation, al Ghassani highlighted gaps in implementation as a key obstacle, which the study’s recommendations seek to address to spur entrepreneurship and economic growth.