Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is on the south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west and Yemen in the southwest. Oman is a country of dramatic mountains and long unspoilt beaches. It is a safe, secure, stable, clean and environmentally aware country, currently going through an impressive period of growth and modernisation. Prior to 1970, Oman was a very underdeveloped nation. Since that time, education, public works and tourism have taken off throughout the country, although outside of the capital Muscat there are many regions which still remain close to their Bedouin origins. The government is cautiously encouraging more tourism, and making it easier for people to visit, with the current estimate of tourist arrivals over 50,000 per year. Expatriates have been coming in large numbers ever since 1970, but Oman remains one of the most traditional countries in the Gulf. Recent numbers suggest that up to a third of the population of Oman are expats, spread across every level of the community. Coupled with improved healthcare, Oman has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, with more than half of all Omanis under the age of 20. Because of this, the government now encourages employers to employ locally where possible, using expats to fill the skill gaps in the labour market.

Overview

The Omani economy has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last forty years. Until oil went Into production in 1967, the economy consisted of trading in dates, limes and skins, and was otherwise at a subsistence level. Many Omanis had to work in other Gulf countries in order to survive with a reasonable standard of living. All that changed however, after the accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in 1970.Emphasis was immediately placed on the path to a rapid modernisation, with transportation, commerce and industry developed almost from scratch. Although the economy is still mainly oil-based, there has been a concerted effort to diversify the economy as much as possible. This is both to protect the country against the effects of fluctuating world oil prices, and because the oil reserves are limited compared to other Gulf countries. The private sector has been heavily involved in this diversification, with modern industrial estates throughout the country now producing a range of products complementing the many agriculturalexports. Oman is also home to many pan-regional, commercial and industrial institutions and joint projects, and is becoming a popular tourist destination in the Middle East. Most of the visitors are from the Arab, Persian Gulf states but there is an increasing number of tourists from outside the region thanks to a growing awareness of Oman’s varied geography and many natural tourist attractions. Oman is generally regarded as a modern country within the Middle Eastern region; however Western influences are quite restricted. About 75% of Oman is Muslim, and the Ibadi form of Islam is conservative, similar to Sunni Islam and Shi’a Islam. While Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken. One of the major differences in Oman is the restriction of alcohol. Generally only hotels have licenses to sell alcohol, so you are likely to find that the majority of bars, restaurants and clubs aimed at Westerners will be attached to hotels. It is possible to buy alcohol for personal consumption; however it is significantly more expensive than buying alcohol in the UK. The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month of fasting, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset. This is strictly adhered to, and even as a non-Muslim it is unacceptable to take part in any of the above in view of anyone who is observing Ramadan.

Travel and transport

Oman’s main International airport is Seeb International Airport, based in Muscat. Airlines such as Oman Air, Gulf Air, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa regularly fly in and out of Oman.

Money/ Banks

The currency in Oman is the Omani Riyal (OMR), which is divided into 1000 Baiza (or Baisa). Several of the world’s leading banks or their subsidiaries have branches in Oman. Foreign banks include the British Bank of the Middle East, Citibank, and Standard Chartered. Setting up an account is easy, as is transferring money to the UK.

Taxes

A major incentive to move to Oman is its status as a free economic zone. You don’t pay income tax here.

Health regulations

There are no compulsory regulations for entry to Oman.

The Oman workplace

Smart, conservative clothing is expected, despite the soaring heat outside and the fiercely efficient air conditioning inside. Friday is the main day of prayer, so meetings should not be scheduled for this day. Calls to Arab colleagues or clients should also be avoided on this day. Depending on the company, the other day of the weekend will be Thursday or Saturday.

Working hours

Office hours are usually from 8.30 or 9.00 am to 5.30 or6.00 pm. In the month of Ramadan, the working day is reduced to six hours for Muslims, who fast during daylight hours.

Employment prospects

The market is strong in Oman, and excellent opportunities exist for the right candidates who possess the required skills.The government strongly encourages employers to use the local labour force where possible. Local graduates are being encouraged to take up employment and employers are strongly urged to recruit Omani graduates. UK graduates are likely to have particular difficulty securing a position unless they have substantial relevant work experience, or are already employed by a UK firm who transfers them to Oman. Having made major investments in education and social welfare, Oman aims to ultimately become as self-sufficient as possible in terms of labour. In general, for a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. Taking into consideration the current popularity of tax-free destinations like Oman, and the number of people wanting to relocate, this does not necessarily make finding a job a foregone conclusion or a quick process. As a general rule, candidates will need to have at least four years’ post qualification experience to be considered as viable. Often, lower to middle level jobs are not advertised, instead recruiting and man power contracting agents are used to hire back in their native country. So many of these jobs never appear in a public forum. Even if they did, the salary packages would be too low for most candidates who have previously lived and worked in the West to consider and survive on. However, for those candidates with skills in demand the tax-free lifestyle and booming market can be a great career move. Generally the remuneration packages and the lifestyle that can be achieved are more favourable than equivalent roles in the UK, and the quality of life and experience of working in such a vibrant economy are experiences not to be missed for many.

Facts - Oman

·         Population: 2,567,000

·         Area: 309,500 km²

·         Government: Absolute monarchy

·         Established: 1651, expulsion of the Portuguese

·         Capital: Muscat