Sharqiyah/Salalah: Leave the paved road behind, and within minutes the landscape changes. Houses and palm groves disappear, giving way to a sea of sand stretching out before you. Sharqiyah Sands, also known as Wahiba Sands, is one of those places where visitors can discover an entirely different Oman.

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.