Parades, traditional sports, cultural performances, festivities and official ceremonies will mark Oman’s 54th National Day, reflecting the sultanate’s heritage and achievements, over two days (November 18-19).

November 18 commemorates Oman’s independence from Portuguese occupation and coincides with the birthday of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, whose leadership ushered in a period of modern renaissance for Oman.

Since Sultan Haitham bin Tariq assumed leadership in 2020, Oman has been progressing towards its Vision 2040.

This vision focuses on economic diversification, sustainable development, and social welfare. Under his leadership, Oman has seen improvements in education, healthcare, and overall living standards.

This year’s National Day also highlights Oman’s growing ties with Saudi Arabia.

A key development is the 564-kilometre land route connecting the two nations, boosting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.

W7Worldwide, a strategic consulting firm in Saudi Arabia, congratulated Oman, said: “We are proud to celebrate Oman’s achievements alongside our Omani brothers and applaud the strategic vision that has elevated its regional standing.

“Oman continues to be a beacon of sustainable development and stability, and we look forward to further cooperation between our two nations to achieve shared prosperity.”

Oman’s strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz has been key to its success in regional and international trade. The nation’s geographical positioning supports its vision for economic growth, regional cooperation, and infrastructure development, reinforcing Oman’s standing in the region.

In 2023, Oman made significant strides towards Vision 2040. Government initiatives reduced national debt, raised gross domestic product (GDP), and improved Oman’s international rankings.

The country climbed 39 places in the Index of Economic Freedom and 11 places in the Global Entrepreneurship Index. Sultan Qaboos University also moved up to 362nd place in global university rankings.

Oman recorded a 2.2% GDP surplus, with real GDP growth reaching 4.5%. The energy sector expanded, with investments in renewable energy, new nature reserves, and enhanced air quality networks, propelling Oman to 54th place globally in the Environmental Performance Index.

The tourism and infrastructure sectors also saw significant growth. Muscat International Airport welcomed 11.5 million passengers in 2023, up from 7.6 million the previous year. Hotel revenues surged to OMR 229.2 million, highlighting Oman’s growing success in these industries. - TradeArabia News Service