(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MUSCAT, July 22 (KUNA) -- The Sultanate of Oman will celebrate Saturday the 46th anniversary of the Renaissance Day under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said who transformed Oman to an oasis of peace, security, welfare, and dignified life.
According to a report issued by the Oman News Agency (ONA), on this day, Omanis remember the Renaissance Day, which marks the beginning of a new era in the Omani history.
Since 1976, the Sultanate has implemented a number of five-year successive development plans that ensure balance between modernity and authenticity. During those years, the Sultanate utilized the oil revenues in building high quality infrastructure projects that serve as a base for economic diversification. It also made impressive leaps and bounds in health, education and social services.
At the beginning of 2016, the Sultan approved the 9th five-year plan (2016-2020), which serves as the last cycle of Oman Vision 2020 and paves the way for Oman Vision 2040.
The current five-year plan attached a great importance to optimum utilization of resources and investment opportunities at the various governorates in the Sultanate. It also focused on the development of governorates to achieve balanced growth and development at the different parts of the Sultanate.
The plan relied on policies that activate the role played by the private sector in the economic growth.
The Council of Ministers held many independent meetings with the State Council Office and Majlis A'Shura Office to enhance coronation between the Council of Ministers and the Council of Oman.
On the other hand, the second municipal councils' elections for the term (2017-2020) will be held at the end of 2016. The Ministry of Interior opened registration for these elections with effect from June 12th, 2016.
The Sultanate is going ahead with its plan to diversify sources of income, reduce reliance on oil revenues and alleviate the negative effects of oil price dip in the world market. While the Sultanate endeavors to become a regional and world logistic hub, it also seeks to enhance its relations with the different countries of the word based on mutual respect, non-interference in others' affairs and respect of good neighboring relations.
The Sultanate also cooperated with the regional and international efforts made to promote peace and security in the region, such as Yemen, Syria and Libya.
In recognition of the Sultanate's role in promoting international peace and security and the diplomatic efforts made to address the different Middle East issues in a peaceful manner, Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs received last January Saint George Award for Peace at a special ceremony that was held in Dresden in Germany.
While presiding over the Council of Ministers' meeting last April, the Sultan has expressed satisfaction over the achievements made. He stressed the importance of preserving the achievements made, continuing building national capacities, making optimum use of the Sultanate's strategic location, encouraging local and foreign investments and creating more job opportunities for Omanis. (end) ahr.gta