Manufacturing, logistics, tourism, fisheries and the mining sectors, will be the core receivers of Oman’s investments in the coming five years, Talal Al Rahbi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme Council for Planning told the Times of Oman (TOO).

These five sectors will provide new job opportunities to Omanis and increase the private sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to Al Rahbi.

“However,” he said, “the detailed number of available vacancies will be announced after a series of workshops, which will take place next September and October.”

The “National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification” falls within the framework of implementing the ninth five-year plan (2016-2020).

But Al Rahbi explained that a major portion of the plan will be implemented this year.

Asked why Oman aims to focus on these five fields in particular, Al Rahbi said the selected industries have comparative advantage, and could make potential contributions to the GDP, and can provide many jobs and investments.

Al Rahbi added that the Council will conduct joint workshops with private sector representatives for two weeks between September and October.

The seminars will be attended by specialised experts from public organisations, the private sector, civil society organisations and all stakeholders will take part.

The seminars will cover details and decide on responsibilities, resources, and the financial allocation for implementation, the timetable for implementation and accurate measurement indicators.

“Following that, we will come up with a detailed plan to diversify the Sultanate’s economy,” he said, adding that this will reduce the country’s dependence on oil exports and products.

On Sunday, the Supreme Council for Planning held its second meeting for this year under the chairmanship of Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The Council reviewed His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s royal blessing for programme.

It also reviewed the status of expenditure on the development budget for the ministries and governmental units in relation to implementing different development projects and compliance with the ceiling for expenditure during the 2016 financial year.