The Sultanate of Oman plans to join the club of spacefaring nations and will launch its first space satellite in 2024, according to HE Dr Said Hamoud Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

The announcement came ahead of the country’s 50th National Day on November 18. The minister said Oman’s plans began in 2006.

“We have to address the role of the private sector to this effect, and establish a company to launch the first satellite in 2024,” he said. “There are practical advantage for our national space programme, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence.”

The minister said the Sultanate’s space programme is a key programme for his ministry, and will be announced in 2021.

“The Sultanate has accorded due care and attention to the transport, communications and information technology sector, led by late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour since the dawn of the blessed renaissance,” he revealed. “We are heading forward with the march of the renaissance under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.”

Space cooperation between India and Oman

On the occasion of Oman’s National Day, HE Hamed Saif Abdul Aziz Al-Rawahi, Ambassador of Oman to India, had told an Indian daily that “Oman was one of the first countries in the Gulf region that exhibited an interest in forging space cooperation with India nearly a decade ago”. In February 2018, an MoU was signed on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, which would enable both sides to cooperate in space science, technology and applications, he said. Improved bilateral partnerships have seen India assisting in building Oman’s capabilities, including training and human resource development.

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Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate, has been named The “Middle East’s Leading Airline” Business Class and “Middle East’s Leading Airline” Economy Class. The airline received the internationally acclaimed recognition in the 2020 World Travel Awards Middle East programme.
The Airline’s in-flight magazine, Wings of Oman, earned the title, “Middle East’s Leading Inflight Magazine”.

Voted by travel and tourism professionals and consumers worldwide, the honour recognises the commitment to excellence each winner has demonstrated.

Abdulaziz Saud al-Ra’eesi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said: “We are extremely delighted and honoured to earn these awards. Winning 3 categories of the prestigious World Travel Awards is a remarkable achievement for Oman Air, especially when we were pitted against some of the world’s largest airlines.”

Oman Air has been awarded the “Middle East’s Leading Airline: Business Class” title every year since 2016, as well as in 2014; and the “Middle East’s Leading Airline: Economy Class” title for 6 years running – from 2014 to 2020.

In October, it debuted its new website, which delivers a smooth, simple experience for everyone. The new site, which features a fresh, contemporary design and user interface, provides simplified access to flight options and payment alternatives, along with state-of-the-art security.

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Kuwait has expressed its readiness to help Lebanon in re-operating the Beirut port that was devastated by an explosion on August 4.

Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al Nasser Al Sabah, who is the Director General of Kuwait’s Ports Authority and also President of the Arab Sea Ports Federation, said on that the Ports Authority is ready to provide all necessary assistance for the re-operation of the country’s ports. It also offered help with food security.

During a meeting with Lebanese Charge d’Affairs to Kuwait Basil Oweidat, Sheikh Al Sabah discussed the reconstruction and re-operation of the port as well as the development of the Lebanese ports in Tripoli, Sidon and Tyre. He said his country will provide all economic and strategic studies in the field of port development to Lebanon.

The United Arab Emirates has continued to dispatch aid to Lebanon to help with emergency relief efforts on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

On August 12, Dubai’s International Humanitarian City airlifted aid material worth US$1.4 million on an Emirates SkyCargo plane. The aid included almost 25 metric tonnes of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, including surgical masks, goggles, gowns, coveralls, N95 respirators, stretchers and thermometers, which had been prepositioned within International Humanitarian City by the World Health Organisation.

On August 13, the fourth UAE aid plane arrived in Lebanon equipped with around 100 tons of medicines, food, and nutritional supplements for children, in addition to other aid supplies.

The move follows the directives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Honorary President of the Emirates Red Crescent, overseen by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Chairman of ERC. Sheikha Fatima had already donated AED10 million in the aftermath of the explosion as part of the ERC’s relief programmes in Lebanon.

The plane also carried an ERC delegation which will be fulfilling various humanitarian duties like delivering aid, assessing the situation on the ground, and identifying further needs.

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, called on Arab countries to support the Lebanese people pointing out that Lebanon was and is still part of the Arab nation.

Less than 24 hours after The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity, announced a global campaign to provide emergency relief for the blast victims, a 90-minute live fundraising event hosted on Sharjah TV’s popular Direct Line (Al Khat Al Mubasher) programme on August 12 successfully raised AED 30.74 million with dozens of charitable individuals and organisations calling in to make generous contributions. They donated amounts ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 6 million during the programme.

An estimated 70 tonnes of basic food aid was airlifted on August 11 by Ajman’s International Humanitarian and Charity Organisation upon the directives of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman.

Saudi Arabia has sent as many as four plane of aid so far, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief). The fourth despatch included 90 tons of medicines, burn treatment supplies, intravenous fluids, masks, sanitizers, and surgical sutures, Saudi Press Agency said.

King Abdullah II of Jordan on August 12 instructed that a military field hospital be sent to Lebanon as a rescue unit. He also highlighted Jordan’s readiness to provide any support needed.

As per the royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Sultanate of Oman continues to operate relief flights to Lebanon to help the authorities deal with the aftermath of the explosion. The relief flights, operated by the Royal Air Force of Oman, carries various medical supplies and essential humanitarian items onboard.

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Al Rawahi said, “Since these are special circumstances and the air services are operating only for rescue and repatriation purposes, the approvals are mandatory as on date from both the countries. Ever since the flights were suspended between the two countries, the Omani embassy in India has worked hard to provide humanitarian assistance to residents stranded in India and help them return to the Sultanate, whether to unite with their family members or to join jobs urgently.

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