BEIJING: Oman is developing ties with China’s financial sector. Its Ambassador to China, Anwar bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Muqaibal, received a delegation from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) at the embassy.

MUSCAT: Oman and the United Arab Emirates have stressed the need for closer coordination amid rapidly evolving regional developments. On 30 September, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s National Security Adviser, at Al Barakah Palace. The talks addressed regional stability and the further development of bilateral relations.

Brussels: Oman’s Hydrom and Czech engineering company 2JCP have joined the Hydrogen Council, an international alliance bringing together leading companies from across the hydrogen value chain.

Prague: Czech diplomacy is reshaping its network of representation abroad. The Consulate General in Hong Kong will close as of 30 September, while a new Consulate General in Miami will open on 1 October. At the same time, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it is preparing steps to establish a diplomatic mission in Muscat, restore a diplomatic presence in Caracas and strengthen consular capacity in Dubai.

MUSCAT: Oman has opened the new Midad Digital Centre, which will support knowledge transfer, practical training and innovation in artificial intelligence, fifth-generation networks and the Internet of Things. The centre was established at Innovation Park Muscat under the supervision of Oman’s Research and Innovation Authority.

SAN SALVADOR: El Salvador became the host country for this year’s World Tourism Day. The international observance, held annually on 27 September, focused in 2026 on digital technologies and the use of artificial intelligence to reshape travel.

MUSCAT: Oman’s OQ Group and the state-run Research and Innovation Authority have signed a memorandum aimed at transforming research findings into practical solutions for the energy and industrial sectors. The cooperation will focus primarily on water management, alternative energy, biodiesel and genetic resources.

Hradec Králové: Charles University has officially opened MEPHARED 2, a campus that brings its Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy together in one location. The campus is next to University Hospital Hradec Králové, giving students and researchers a closer link between medical and pharmaceutical education and clinical practice.

Duqm: Cumulative committed investment in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm reached OMR 8.818 billion by the end of June 2026. That is 141% higher than the OMR 3.65 billion recorded in 2021.

Muscat: Oman’s OQ Exploration & Production (OQEP) will expand its Bisat-B production facility at the Bisat oil field. Fluids extracted from wells are brought to the facility, where oil is separated from water and other components. Bisat-B is part of the infrastructure OQEP uses for production in Block 60.

Muscat: Oman’s Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of a National Programme to Enhance an Investment-Friendly Business Environment. According to the report of the meeting chaired by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the programme is due to launch in early 2027.

Luanda/Muscat: Oman and Angola signed five agreements, eight memoranda of understanding and an executive programme during the state visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Angola. Their cooperation covers energy, investment, agriculture, logistics and water infrastructure.

Cambridge: When should farmers sow, when should they harvest, and how can they prepare for drought or intense rainfall? More accurate weather forecasts can make the difference between a good harvest and significant losses. Researchers at the University of Cambridge are therefore participating in Project Cumulus.

Muscat: Oman is opening another part of its technological transformation to foreign capital. Through Invest Oman, the Sultanate is offering investors a project to establish a company focused on integrated circuit (IC) design. The estimated investment amounts to OMR 11.55 million.

Prague: The Czech Republic will take on a significant role within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2027. For the first time in its history, Czechia will chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, the organisation’s highest-level political forum, bringing together 38 advanced economies.

Zurich: Fibre-optic cables that form the backbone of the modern internet could take on an entirely new role. Researchers at ETH Zurich are using a technology known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which can transform an optical fibre into a long array of highly sensitive sensors.

Mining / Investment | Muscat: The Mazoon project represents one of Oman’s most significant steps towards reviving industrial copper mining. It is not merely an exploration programme for a potential deposit, but a planned mining and processing complex with identified reserves, five proposed mines and its own ore-processing plant.

Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals has signed two new concession agreements covering exploration areas with a combined size of almost 1,700 square kilometres. The companies involved are expected to invest approximately USD 15.4 million in the initial exploration programmes.

Oman | Real Estate and Investment: Oman is developing new cities, residential districts and tourism destinations, but it does not intend to finance their construction entirely from the state budget. Instead, it uses a model in which the government prepares the land and long-term development strategy, while private developers, banks, investors and future property owners finance a significant part of the implementation.

Muscat: Oman will present its new urban development projects and investment opportunities in the heart of London. The Live Oman initiative will take place on Oxford Street from 21 September to 4 October 2026. It aims to attract international investors, property buyers and companies seeking new business opportunities.

Prague: Czechia is seeking to further strengthen economic relations with South Africa, its most important trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prague/Muscat: Czechia has opened a new National Cancer Centre in Prague, operated by Motol University Hospital and Na Homolce Hospital. The investment of nearly CZK 5 billion brings together diagnostics, treatment, prevention and research. Once fully operational, the centre is expected to increase oncology care capacity by up to 40%.

Muscat/Kigali: Oman could gradually acquire a new role for Czech companies. In addition to offering access to the Gulf market, it could also become a commercial and investment bridge to East Africa.

Salalah: Oman is increasingly positioning Dhofar not only as a tourism destination, but also as a hub for foreign investment, industry and international trade. Five strategic investment opportunities presented by the government in the region this year have a combined value of approximately OMR 1.95 billion.

Salalah: Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi met honorary consuls of the Sultanate of Oman serving in countries around the world in Salalah. Among the participants was Ivo Vaněk, Honorary Consul of the Sultanate of Oman in the Czech Republic.

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has joined the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE). Its membership is expected to strengthen cooperation in hydrogen technologies, technical standards, safety and international trade.

Cambridge: An autonomous vehicle brakes or changes lanes. But for humans, one crucial question remains: why did it do that? Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new system designed to help people better understand how artificial intelligence makes decisions and predict when it might make a mistake.

Global air transport is growing rapidly, and the map of the world’s most important airports is changing with it. While Europe and North America remain key markets, a significant share of future growth is shifting towards Asia and emerging economies.

Muscat: Oman has taken another concrete step towards low-emission transport. National transport operator Mwasalat will deploy the Sultanate of Oman’s first hydrogen-powered city bus in Muscat. At the same time, a new ultra-fast charging technology for electric vehicles will be tested near the capital.

Salalah: Oman and Saudi Arabia are strengthening their economic cooperation. At the seventh meeting of the joint Omani-Saudi Coordination Committee for Economy, Trade and Industry in Salalah, the two countries signed an economic cooperation implementation programme for 2026–2028.

Muscat: Oman’s energy sector has recorded strong growth. Total oil production reached approximately 233.8 million barrels between January and the end of July 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.3%.

Muscat: Tourism across the Gulf continues to grow rapidly. The six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed approximately 75.7 million international tourists in 2025, with visitor spending reaching USD 131.9 billion.

Czechia / Oman: The new 2026/2027 school year began in the Czech Republic today. Children returning to classrooms is not only a social event – student numbers affect public budgets, demand for teachers, school construction and the future labour market.

Prague: The Czech Republic plans to significantly increase public investment next year. The Ministry of Finance has submitted its draft state budget for 2027, which envisages CZK 289.6 billion in investment expenditure. Significantly more funding is also expected to go to healthcare and defence.

Muscat: Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued a new regulatory framework for number portability. It is intended to accelerate and automate transfers between operators, reduce delays and strengthen competition in the telecommunications market.

Muscat: In Europe, the image of women in Muslim countries is still often associated with veiling, restricted freedom of movement, a life largely confined to the home and limited influence in public affairs. In the case of the Sultanate of Oman, however, this image does not reflect today’s reality.

Prague/Hanoi: The Czech Republic has used a targeted business mission to introduce Moravian winemakers to potential partners from Vietnam. This model of export promotion could also inspire cooperation with Oman—not in alcoholic beverages, but in non-alcoholic grape products, gastronomy and tourism.

Muscat: Oman is accelerating the transformation of its industrial sector and aims to significantly increase its importance to the national economy. By 2040, manufacturing is expected to contribute approximately OMR 10.7 billion to gross domestic product, nearly three times the value recorded in 2025.

Prague/Muscat: The prospect of establishing an Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Sultanate of Oman is once again coming to the fore. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced the plan following meetings at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026. Opening the embassy could now also support the objectives outlined by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. At the August meeting of Czech ambassadors, Macinka emphasised the need to seek new economic partners in regions of growing importance.

Prague: Czech diplomacy should focus more strongly on economic results, new markets and countries whose political, economic and technological importance is expected to grow in the coming years. Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka made the remarks at the annual meeting of heads of Czech diplomatic missions at the Czernin Palace.

Prague: The Czech residential property market has returned to growth after cooling in 2022 and 2023. Prices are being driven by a shortage of housing, slow construction, rising incomes and renewed demand for mortgages.

Liptál: Wallachian traditions have met the culture of the Arabian Peninsula at the 57th International Folklore Festival, Liptál Festivities. Al‑Shahba Folk Arts Troupe from the Omani city of Nizwa has arrived in Liptál as one of the main international guests of this year’s festival.

Prague: The Czech-Omani Security Forum has concluded, but for Czech companies it may be only the beginning. Some companies see opportunities in Oman related to smart cities and security infrastructure, while others want to gain a better understanding of the local environment and find out how to enter the Omani market.

Prague: Modern security is no longer simply a question of who possesses better technology. The ability to respond quickly, listen to people within an organisation, protect data and prepare for technologies that are only beginning to emerge can be equally important.

Prague: Trust, stability, modern technologies and strong industrial capabilities. These were the main themes of the Czech-Omani Security Forum, held on 20 August at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic in Prague.

Brno: The visit of a delegation from Oman’s National Defence College (NDC) to the Czech Republic continued on Wednesday with talks at the University of Defence in Brno. Following previous meetings focused on security policy, advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and opportunities for research cooperation, attention this time turned primarily to strategic education, security analysis and new forms of warfare.

Prague: Cyberattacks, artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous systems, the protection of critical infrastructure and the rapidly changing nature of warfare. In recent years, security has become one of the key issues shaping global politics and the economy. Cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Sultanate of Oman is now increasingly focusing on these challenges as well.

Prague: The visit of a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman to the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University in Prague has produced the first concrete proposals for possible long-term cooperation. The meeting followed the launch of the delegation’s programme in the Czech Republic, which we reported on in our previous article.

Prague: A delegation from Oman’s National Defence College (NDC), led by its Commandant, Rear Admiral Ali Abdullah Mohammed Al Shidi, has arrived in the Czech Republic for a week-long working visit. The visit is being supported by Ivo Vaněk, Honorary Consul of the Sultanate of Oman in the Czech Republic, and focuses on professional cooperation, advanced technologies and security.

Muscat: The real estate market in the Sultanate of Oman is gaining momentum. Residential property prices are rising, the government is supporting major development projects, and new opportunities are emerging for foreign capital.

Prague: Foreign nationals may purchase an apartment, family house, commercial property or land in the Czech Republic and hold it directly in their own name. They are not required to establish a Czech company or have permanent residence in the country.

Brussels/Muscat: The European Union aims to strengthen the competitiveness of its ports and maritime industry. Its new strategy focuses on digitalisation, security, clean fuels, advanced vessels and modern port equipment. The Sultanate of Oman is moving in a similar direction by developing the ports of Sohar, Salalah and Duqm.

Prague: The Czech Republic has a stable food supply, extensive agricultural land and strong production of several basic commodities. However, it is not fully self-sufficient and relies on imports for some food products.

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a new international milestone. In Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index for the first half of 2026, Oman ranked third globally while also retaining its top position in Asia and the Arab world. Oman achieved a score of 203.9.

Prague: This year’s harvest in the Czech Republic is rapidly approaching completion. According to the State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SZIF), 95.05% of cereal-growing areas had been harvested, covering 1.12 million hectares. Oilseed rape harvesting was even further advanced, with 97.41% of the area already harvested.

Prague/Muscat: Oman is investing in solar and wind energy, green hydrogen, energy storage and the modernisation of electricity grids. The energy sector could therefore become one of the most promising areas of cooperation between Czech and Omani companies.

Prague: The Czech Republic is strengthening investment in technologies expected to shape the future of European industry.

Muscat: Oman aims to make green hydrogen one of the pillars of its emerging energy economy. A study by Sultan Qaboos University indicates that Thumrait and Marmul are among the most promising locations for investment, offering favourable conditions for stable wind power generation and its subsequent use in green hydrogen production.

Muscat/Tehran: Iran has announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman on a route for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the talks are continuing constructively, with some technical issues still to be resolved.

Lusaka: The European Union has strengthened its election observation mission in Zambia by deploying 32 short-term observers to the country today. Their task is to monitor preparations for the general elections, which will take place in Zambia on 13 August 2026.

Keele: Scientists at the UK’s Keele University have developed a new type of electrolyser capable of simultaneously producing green hydrogen and valuable chemicals that can be used to manufacture more sustainable plastics.

Muscat: Thumrait and Marmul are among the most suitable areas in the Sultanate of Oman for investment in green hydrogen production using wind energy, according to a study led by Dr Nafid Nasiri from the College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

Manchester: Rainwater collected from building rooftops could help cities combat extreme heat while reducing energy consumption for air conditioning.

Boston: A healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes—even in people who have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure. This is according to a large-scale study published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Network Open.

Brussels: The European Union is entering a new phase in the development of artificial intelligence. Following the selection of the winning EUROPA consortium in June, led by the Italian technology company Domyn, preparations are now underway to develop an open European AI model that will support all 24 official languages of the European Union.

When evaluating expansion into a new market, the tax environment is one of the key factors influencing investment returns. The Czech Republic offers a stable legal framework and access to the European Union's single market, while Oman attracts investors with a lower tax burden and an ambitious economic diversification strategy.

Muscat: The total number of passengers (arrivals) has reached and departing and transiting through the Sultanate of Oman airports until the end of the month of June 2026 was about 6 million and 276 thousand and 117 passengers, recording a decrease of 9.3 percent compared to the same period of 2025, which amounted to 6,921,569 Passengers.

NEW DELHI: Heavy rains and floods that have resulted in the Across southern India over the weekend, at least 11 people were killed and displaced thousands in Kerala, as well as a landslide that killed at least three people in the neighbouring Karnataka.

Muscat: Muscat Clearing & Depository Company (MCD), the central securities depository of the Sultanate of Oman, has introduced a new Consolidated (Omnibus) Accounts system aimed at making the country's capital market more accessible to foreign institutional investors and enhancing its appeal to global custodians and asset managers.

Sohar: The Governorate of North Al Batinah is further strengthening its position as one of the Sultanate of Oman’s leading agricultural and food-producing regions. In Al-Uwaynat, in the Wilayat of Sohar, nine agricultural investment projects covering approximately 100 acres are being developed.

Prague: This year's grain harvest in the Czech Republic is progressing faster than during the same period last year. Favorable weather conditions have enabled farmers to harvest more than one-third of the country's grain and rapeseed acreage.

Prague: The Czech Republic has transferred the coordination of quantum technologies from the Office of the Government to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO).

Kopidlno: Czech technology company AŽD has begun testing a battery-powered train called LENKA, an acronym for Lehké Elektrické Nabíjecí Kolejové (Light Electric Rechargeable Rail Vehicle). The project aims to determine whether a simpler and more energy-efficient vehicle could replace conventional train sets on regional railway lines.

Muscat: Oman is entering a new phase in the development of its hydrogen economy. After years of preparation, the country is beginning to build the supporting infrastructure needed for large-scale green hydrogen production.

Muscat: The European Union and the Sultanate of Oman have taken a significant step toward strengthening their bilateral relationship. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sayyid Bader bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, signed the Establishment Agreement for the European Union Delegation in Muscat.

Prague: The Czech Republic is confirming that nuclear energy will remain a key pillar of its energy policy for decades to come. The Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to extend the operating lifetime of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant to up to 80 years, following the same approach planned for the Dukovany plant.

Brussels: The European Commission is preparing new measures to strengthen the protection of children in the online environment.