The State Council Office hosted Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Harthy head of the Economic Committee and Ahmed bin Sulaiman al Maimani the committee rapporteur to discuss its report on amending provisions of the Income Tax Law issued by Royal Decree (28/2009) the Foreign Capital Investment Law issued by Royal Decree (102/94) and the Insurance Companies Law issued by Royal Decree (12/79). The report was referred by the Council of Ministers in preparation for presentation of these laws at the next plenary meeting.

Tuesday's meeting discussed the frameworks provided by some standing committees on topics to be studied during the current session. The meeting also discussed the proposed amendment to the Council's organisational structure.

The meeting identified the agenda for the regular meetings of the fourth and fifth sessions of the first annual sitting to be held on January 12 and 13.

Majlis A'Shura hails Royal Orders

The Majlis A'Shura has hailed the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to return the draft on Auto Insurance Takaful Insurance and Land Transport laws to the Council of Oman to reconsider them in light of the remarks that were referred by the Council of Ministers.

The joint committee of the State Council and Majlis A'Shura has revised the articles of these laws. The committee has given its legal and legislative views on amending some of these articles.

The Majlis A'Shura praised His Majesty the Sultan's support and care for the Shura march as well as the keenness to ensure more progress by activating provisions of the Basic Law of the State. The Majlis on Tuesday also held its sixth session of its first sitting of the eighth term under the chairmanship of H E Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali.

The Majlis A'Shura deeply appreciated His Majesty the Sultan's remarks on some articles of this law. After detailed discussion it decided that these remarks enhance the role of the law and ensure the nation and people's interests.

Members listened to the Council of Ministers' reply on the Majlis A'Shura circular on tourism it had approved. After discussing the joint committee's report the Majlis A'Shura also approved the proposed amendments to the Auto Insurance Law. It also approved the draft Takaful Insurance Law and the draft Land Transport Law.

It also approved the report of the Services and Social Development Committee on the draft cooperation agreement between Oman and UAE in land transport of people and goods.

The Majlis A'Shura was also briefed on conventions referred by the Council of Ministers namely the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income between Oman and Estonia.

The meeting also heard the reply of the Council of Ministers on the suggestion by some members that the Ministry of Tourism should adopt some programmes on Omani values and traditions.