Oman’s commerce and industry body has urged the Minister of Manpower to reconsider a decision on hiring of expats.

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Board of Directors held its first meeting this year under the chair of Said bin Saleh Al Kiyoumi, Chairman of OCCI Board to discuss OCCI’s strategic plan for 2017.

The Board discussed the ministerial decision No 95/2017 issued by the Ministry of Manpower. As per the new sub article No 26, which has been added to article one ‘the commercial registrations under the civil number of the applicant and his partners will be audited when applying to hire expatriates’.

OCCI Board urged the Minister of Manpower to reconsider this decision and make the assessment according to the commercial registration of the establishment and not on the civil number of its owner.

The Board also discussed the internal audit plan for 2017, which seeks to enhance internal controls and improve the quality of the procedures followed by OCCI.

The meeting also reviewed and discussed OCCI Investment Committee report.

The Board blessed the proposal of OCCI Award for Innovation, in cooperation with The Research Council (TRC) with the aim of creating innovation-friendly environment to innovate new products and services in the different fields. The Award also comes in line with OCCI’s board endeavors to promote entrepreneurship and enhance competition among participants at the different categories of the award.