His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tairk presided over a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah.

His Majesty opened the meeting by praising Almighty Allah for all His blessings and thanking Him for granting our nation tranquillity and security. His Majesty prayed that Almighty Allah would protect our beloved country, its citizens and residents, watch over them with His care, bestow His blessings and mercy upon them, grant everyone success in their worthy endeavours and facilitate all efforts to fulfil aspirations and achieve success.

His Majesty then reviewed domestic affairs. In light of the briefing presented to the Council on the anticipated preliminary results of the 2026 State Budget, the Council affirmed the importance of strengthening fiscal policies and improving their ability to adapt to external developments and fluctuations. This will ensure that the country’s economic and financial position is not affected by any unforeseen changes or adverse developments and will support sustainable economic and financial stability.

As part of the Council of Ministers’ commitment to improving the non-oil trade balance, His Majesty directed the preparation of a long-term plan to support its growth. The plan will encompass several areas, including making use of local raw materials, increasing domestic production, capitalising on Oman’s location, ports and advanced infrastructure and benefiting from agreements signed with many countries. Implementation of the plan will begin at the start of 2027.

Reflecting His Majesty’s attention to the health sector, the Council reviewed a report on the principal healthcare projects completed during the previous period and those scheduled for completion in the coming period. These projects will strengthen the healthcare system as a whole. The report also covered the main existing medical industries projects and those under implementation.

His Majesty commended the achievements made in this sector and thanked all healthcare workers for their dedicated efforts, continuous service and active contribution to advancing the healthcare system. His Majesty also approved a proposal to establish specialised industrial clusters for pharmaceutical products and medical devices in economic and free zones. The initiative aims to strengthen national pharmaceutical security and localise vital pharmaceutical and medical industries.

The results of the assessment of government institutions’ performance for the first half of 2026, issued by the Government Performance Measurement Unit, together with the assessments of annual follow-up reports submitted by government entities, showed improved performance. This reflects continued positive progress in meeting targets and enhancing effectiveness. His Majesty commended the efforts of high-performing civil units within the State’s Administrative Apparatus, as well as those that improved the quality of their planning, coordination and follow-up processes, with the aim of achieving their objectives and raising their performance.

After hearing a briefing on the performance and evaluation of several national programmes, the Council commended the results they had achieved and their contribution to developing various sectors. To strengthen institutional integration and enhance the business environment and its competitiveness, the Council approved the establishment of the National Programme for Enhancing an Investment-Friendly Business Environment.

The programme will be launched at the beginning of 2027 as an enabling national programme that will help improve the competitiveness of the business environment, attract domestic and foreign investment and monitor improvements to services provided to citizens, residents and investors during the next phase.

Regarding preparations for the fourth-term municipal council elections, which will take place in December, His Majesty noted the councils’ pivotal role in local development, monitoring service projects in the governorates and submitting recommendations and proposals. His Majesty directed that a comprehensive assessment be conducted of the powers granted to municipal councils, the roles they perform and the integration of their work with that of the governors.

His Majesty also affirmed the importance of active participation by all sections of society and making sound choices in the elections. This is vital to ensuring that the councils benefit from capable members whose expertise can advance municipal council work during the next phase.

Reviewing the large influx of visitors during this year’s Dhofar Khareef season, which reflected the governorate’s standing as a distinguished tourist destination, as well as the positive public response to the standard of organisation, His Majesty expressed satisfaction with the efforts and roles of Dhofar Governorate and the relevant authorities in advancing economic development in the governorate.

His Majesty affirmed the need to keep pace with increasing tourism activity and to continue enhancing and developing services and meeting tourists’ needs in an integrated manner. This should be achieved through cooperation among government entities, the private sector and the local community, thus helping to support the local economy and enhance its sustainability.

In view of continuing regional challenges, the Council reaffirmed Oman’s consistent position, characterised by constructive neutrality, the containment of conflicts, a commitment to dialogue and political solutions, respect for the sovereignty of all states, and good neighbourly relations. This position contributes to consolidating regional security and stability.

His Majesty renewed his appreciation for the military and security services and civil authorities, and for their efforts and measures to protect the country, ensure the continued supply of goods and facilitate transport procedures and the movement of individuals and lorries.

In light of His Majesty’s recent visits to several brotherly and friendly countries, His Majesty reviewed with the Council the successful outcomes of those visits. They aimed to develop bilateral relations with those countries, strengthen communication between their peoples and facilitate trade, economic and investment exchanges.

His Majesty directed the relevant authorities to maximise the benefits of the agreements and understandings signed with those countries and to make every effort to achieve their objectives. This will serve shared interests and contribute to achieving national goals, particularly the growth of the national economy, the development of exports and an increase in gross domestic product.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik concluded by praying for continued success for all in advancing the prosperity and development of this beloved nation and its loyal people.