A year ago, I presented at Majlis al Khoniji and then again four months ago. Both times I discussed the importance of job creation in the Omani economy and the importance of FDI. I directly referenced Amazon as a potential target for Oman. Seeing the news that Amazon will establish 3 web service data centers in the UAE, reminded me of my discussion.

I had the pleasure to be invited to talk to Dr. Hashil Al Saadi’s class at SQU this week. Our discussion was centered around how undergrads need to change their approach and job outlook in Oman.

Recently Oman announced the establishment of an Unemployment Insurance program. This is a great move for several reasons. First, Oman is making a shift towards diversification of its economic activity and the private sector will have a bigger role in the economy.

S01E03 of #CoffeeWithDrA discusses Omani unemployment data and omanisation

Presentation on April 25th at Majlis Al Khonji, Muscat Oman.

عندما تتوفر معلومات وافية في الأسواق، تتمكن الجهات المنتجة من كسب المزيد من المال مقابل سلعها الأعلى جودة، لكن عندما لا تتوفر معلومات وافية في تلك الأسواق تُمكِّن المستهلكَ من معرفة الجودة الحقيقية للسلع المعروضة، تسفر الأسواق عن نتائج غير ناجعة.

Regulators will hinder the overall market if they choose to also be investors. The better option is to separate the investment and regulatory authority.

Our social responsibility starts with recognizing that we are part of a whole, that our actions impact others. We collectively, as a whole, can make a difference.

I am in Oman for the holidays. The talk around town is the economy, and discussions about economic policy. I have mostly listened to the proposals, forecasts, and opinions. Recently, in a formal discussion I was finally asked about my opinion on what I would propose for the Omani economy. Based on the discussions I have heard, I recommend more ….

The recent demands by youth seeking employment have increased interest in the state of the labor market in Oman. Attempts to curb the labor market concerns have provided patchwork policy that solves short term concerns but does not address long term outcomes. This report provides analysis of the interdependence of the labor market and public policy. To solve the long-term labor market concerns, it will require…

إن المطالبات التي صدرت مؤخراً عن الشباب الساعين للحصول على عمل زادت من الاهتمام بأحوال سوق العمل في سلطنة عمان. كما أن المحاولات المبذولة للتخفيف من أسباب القلق بالسوق أدت إلى سياسات متجزئة تمكنت من تسوية بعض المشاكل على المدى القصير، إلا أنها غير قادرة على التعامل معها على المدى الطويل. يقدم هذا التقرير تحليل عن الترابط القائم بين سوق العمل والسياسات العامة.

On November 6th the Oman Observer published an article by columnist Ali Al Matani. In the article the author discusses female efforts in the recent Ash’shura Council elections. The fact that it is published in the national paper raises concerns about our efforts to increase gender diversity and economic equity of women in Oman.