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Oman relaxes visa rules for tourists from Russia, India, China

Tourists who meet the new conditions can now get a visa on arrival

All GCC states to implement soft drinks, tobacco tax by year-end

The tax will see prices of soft drinks increase by 50 per cent and energy drinks and tobacco products by 100 per cent

UAE and Oman rise, other Gulf states fall in HSBC expat ranking

The Gulf countries performed well in economics but less favourably in the experience and family categories

BP begins production at the Khazzan gas field in Oman

About 300 wells are expected to be drilled over the lifetime of the Khazzan field

Oman announces Islamic New Year holiday

If the first day of Muharram falls on Friday, September 22, then the holiday will be on Sunday, September 24

Oman plans labour complexes to house foreign workers

The complexes would place workers away from residential neighbourhoods

Oman bans chicken imports from five countries

The ban follows recent outbreaks of the bird flu virus

Oman’s SalamAir appoints new CEO

The airline has turned to budget rival Air Arabia for its new chief executive

Bahrain ranked best global destination for expats, Saudi, Kuwait among the worst

The kingdom performed well in areas like ease of settling in where Saudi Arabia and Kuwait struggled

Oman replaces long-serving executive president of central bank

Hamood Sangour al-Zadjali had run the central bank since 1991

Oman counts on Chinese billions to build mega city at Duqm

Oman aims to transform Duqm, a fishing village south of Muscat, into an industrial centre

Moody’s downgrades outlook on Oman’s banking system to negative

The report attributed the change to the Omani government’s reduced capacity to support banks

Oman imposes expat hiring ban in some sectors

The sultanate is aiming to reclassify some businesses under more specific categories

Oman suspends ride hailing app

OTaxi was one of the few ride hailing services available in the sultanate, where Uber and Careem do not operate

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar to build GCC’s first large-scale wind farm in Oman

The 50MW wind farm is expected to supply electricity to an estimated 16,000 homes when complete

British Airways halts Muscat-London flights due to crew strike

Passengers are being offered alternative bookings via Qatar Airways

Oman tests fuel subsidy cards for low earners

The cards would allow low earners to purchase discounted fuel

Oman sees number of bounced cheques increase by a third

Oman has been among the hardest hit GCC economies by the fall in oil prices

Omantel to buy nearly 10% of Kuwait’s Zain Group for $846.1m

The investment is part of Omantel’s strategy to diversify its exposure

Hundreds of Indian workers appeal for help in Oman after not being paid for months

The workers claim they have been living without pay, proper food and sanitation for the last three months

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim announces plans for $117m Sohar mall

The new Omani shopping centre will feature 130 stores

Oman signs $3.55bn loan with Chinese banks

Oman has borrowed over $10bn this year to replenish coffers hit hard by lower oil prices

Oman in talks with banks about loan and bond

The sultanate has already raised $7bn from international bonds this year

Oman announces plans for dam at Wadi Adai

Government authorities have been given permission to expropriate land for the project

Ratings agency Moody’s downgrades Oman’s outlook to negative

The agency blamed the downgrade on Oman’s continuing reliance on the oil sector

Oman launches new e-visa service for tourists, GCC residents

In the first phase, tourist visas are available online for people from 67 countries

Two Emiratis killed, 13 injured in three-vehicle crash in Oman

The accident occurred at around 8pm on Tuesday in Oman’s Adam province

Oman cuts subsidy bill by 20%

The government is introducing new fees to make up for lost oil revenues

Oman cracks down on late salary payments

A new system will automatically track when wages are delayed or reduced

Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir to appoint new CEO

The recently launched airline has confirmed that the new CEO will be a GCC national