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Fact file/Oman Sultanate of Oman
Fact file/Oman
Sultanate of Oman
Fact file/Oman
Introduction
Oman is the oldest independent state in the Gulf founded in 1950.Sultan Qaboos came into
power in 1970’s. The country is blessed with mineral resources like petroleum, copper, marble,
natural gas etc. However the government heavily relies on oil revenues while taking the country
to new heights of economic developments with special attention on industrial, educational and
health sectors. The Sultan has introduced measures to broaden popular participation in
government.
Geography
Oman is situated in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula with the land area of about
309,500 sq km. It is surrounded by the sea on two sides, the sea of Oman to the northeast and the
Indian Ocean to the southeast; it has joint land borders with Saudi Arabia to the west, Yemen to
the south, and the United Arab Emirates to the north.
Government
Oman has a bi cameral system of government. His majesty Sultan Qaboos is the head of the
State. The Basic Statute of the State was promulgated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al
Said in 1996 which provides the legal framework for the development and implementation of all
legislation and government policy. It comprises the Consultative Council whose member are
elected by Omani citizens and the State Council whose members are appointed by the Sultan.
Demography
According to 2010 census the population is 2,773,479 out of which 1,957,336 are Omani citizens
and 816,143 are expatriate residents. The population consists of the Arab, Asians, Africans and
Baluchi. Among Asians are Indian, Pakistani, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.
71%
29%
0%
Demography
Omani's Expatriates
Fact file/Oman
Total Population: 2,773,479 Male: 1,612,411 Female: 1,61,068
Omani Population: 1,957,336 Male: 990,590 Female: 966,746
Expatriates : 816,143 Male: 621.821 Female: 194,322
51%
49%
0%
Sex Composition of Omani Population
Male Female
76%
24%
0%
Expatriates
Male
Female
Fact file/Oman
Economics
According to Export Intelligence Unit 2011 Oman’s GDP in 2010 was US$ 57.8bn with annual
growth of 4.5%. Oman’s economy is largely based on oil and gas. Production of oil and gas
started in 1967.Today oil and gas accounts for around 85% of the government revenue and
approximately 35% of the GDP. According to Annual Report of Ministry of Oil and Gas 2010
there are 18 domestic and international oil companies operating in Oman.
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the premier hydrocarbon exploration and production
company in the Sultanate of Oman. It accounts for more than 90% of the country's crude-oil
production and nearly all of its natural-gas supply. Oman is undergoing several upstream and
downstream expansion projects in order to capitalize on economic growth and potential demand.
Oman’s Proven reserves of oil (thousand million barrels)
In 2010 and 2011 the oil reserves were 5.5 thousand million barrels.Oman’s oil production has
increased since 2008.
Oil and Gas Projects in Oman
• Duqm Refinery & Petrochemical Complex
• Mabrouk Field Project
• Harweel Cluster Phase - 2
• Saih Rawl Gas Depletion Project
• Oil & Gas Pipeline in Musandum
• Enhanced Oil Recovery at Mukhaizna
• Depletion-Compression Project at Saih Nihayda
• Kauther Gas Compression Project
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1991 2001 2010 2011
Proven Reserves of Oil
Fact file/Oman
Production (thousand barrels daily)
Oman’s economy is largely based on oil and gas. Production of oil and gas started in 1967.Today
oil and gas accounts for around 85% of the government revenue and approximately 35% of the
GDP.
Oman is a member of several economic blocs including the Arab Gulf Co- operation Council
(AGCC), the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone, the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional
Cooperation (IORARC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
However Oman is heading towards economic diversification, according to which the main focus
is on natural gas, port developments in Sohor and Salalah and information and technology.
Moreover Oman is investing in tourism industry.
Total Exports US$ 36.12 billion (2010 est)
Export Commodity Petrol, Textile, Metals, Fish
Total Import US$19.3 billion (2010 est)
Import Commodity Machinery, Transport, food manufactured goods
Export Partners China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand
Import Partners UAE, Japan, US
650
700
750
800
850
900
950
2008 2009 2010 2011
Fact file/Oman
Key economic sectors:
Oil and Gas Economic Sector
Mineral Sector
Manufacturing
Agriculture and Fishing
Tourism
Industry: The industrial sector is a cornerstone of the Sultanate’s long-term (1996-2020)
development strategy. Eighth Five-Year Development Plan (2011-2015) creates the conditions
for an attractive investment climate. The government also aims to develop the information
technology (IT) and telecommunications industries.
1%
52%
47%
GDP Composition by Sector
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Fact file/Oman
Defence:
The Sultanate of Oman’s Defence forces were found in 1966.The services branches are
Royal Army of Oman
Royal Air force of Oman
Royal Naval Force of Oman
Royal Oman Police
The commander in chief is Sultan Qaboos Bin Said al said
Military Expenditures (US$ Millions)
2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2,565 2,545 2,766 3,324 3,550 3,433 4,861 4,141 4,180 4,270
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Fact file/Oman
Military Expenditures as percentage of GDP
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
11.9 14.5 13.5 11.9 10.2 12.3 8.9 8.1 8.5 7.5 7.3 6.4
Value of Arms Imports (US$ Millions)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
12 57 11 140 307 445 376 160 30 30
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Fact file/Oman
Total Active Military Manpower
2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
43,500 41,700 41,700 41,700 39,700 39,700 42,600 42,600 42,600 42,600 42,600
MBT’s 117
Wing Combat Aircraft: 54
Army: 25000
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
37,000
38,000
39,000
40,000
41,000
42,000
43,000
44,000
2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Fact file/Oman
Airforce: 1500
Navy: 1800
Guard: 6400
Paramilitary: 4000
AIFV/RECCE/LTTNK: 185
APCS: 279
Armoured vehicles: 430
OAFV: 462
Operational multiple rocket launchers: 138
Artillery Weapons: 239
Multiple Rocket Launchers: 6
Armed Attack Helicopters: 15
Jaguar: 14
F-16: 12
Gulf Naval Ships: 87
Warships with anti-ship Missiles: 5
Fact file/Oman
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:
Oman is stable economically prosperous and established nation whose foreign relations play
essential part in Middle East and the world. Oman has good relations within the GCC framework
as well as with Iran. Oman has played an active role over the years in promoting co-operation
between the GCC states Yemen and Iran through effective diplomacy.
Oman has navigated its foreign policy focusing the three main issues a) Persian Gulf Security b)
Arab-Israeli conflict c) Global Security Threat
Oman’s foreign policy goals are not just restricted to its region. Oman is the member of Asian
Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) since 2003.It is also a member of Gulf and Europe Forum and
Indian Ocean Rim Association for regional co-operation.
Membership at International Organizations
Oman is the member of international organizations UN,IMF, ILO,OPCW ABEDA
AFE, AMF, GCC, FAO, Group of 77 (G77) ,IBRD, ICAO International Criminal Police
Organization (IDA) (IFC) (IFAD) (IMO) League of Arab States (NAM) and Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Pak-Oman links
Pakistan and Oman have strong bi-lateral ties as they share traditional commonalities of religion
and values and shared views of mutual significance. The trade between two countries has
increased to up to $400 million while the Pakistani diaspora living in Oman is on rise from
18,000 to 200,000 which is contributing to build Oman's economy and strengthen bilateral ties.
Fact file/Oman
Pakistan’s Exports to Oman (valued US$ millions)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (June-July)
61.87 88.80 267.17 154.69 125.86 183.30 71.36
Commodity Description 2009 2010 2011
Cereals 59.68 100.25 113.51 Organic Chemicals 4.20 2.16 13.47 Mineral fuels, oils 8.53 - 13.40 Machinery, Nuclear reactors 1.29 4.39 10.43 Meat and edible meat offal 7.26 7.66 9.63
Oman’s Export to Pakistan
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (June-July)
29.49 94.20 80.78 112.71 116.54 125.86 91.93
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Fact file/Oman
Oman’s Export to Pakistan
Commodity Description 2009 2010 2011
Mineral fuels, oils 152.96 67.43 141.89 Plastics and articles 25.27 25.10 39.84 Organic Chemicals 1.67 12.84 16.03 Fertilizers 51.99 11.85 14.97 Iron and Steel 11.48 11.15 13.97
Joint venture between Oman-Pakistan
Pak-Oman Investment Company Limited
In July 2001 the Governments of Pakistan and Sultanate of Oman have established Pak Oman
Investment Company Limited a specialized Financial Institution formed as a joint venture. Pak
Oman facilitates investments to promote various sectors and acts as a financial link between the
Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan. The company has successfully diversified its areas of growth by
the launch of Pak Oman Asset Management Company and Pak Oman Microfinance Company.
World Call Telecom Limited
World Call Telecom Limited (WTL), an Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), is the
most reliable and unique telecom and multimedia service provider in Pakistan. World call
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Fact file/Oman
launched its business in 1996 and offers an array of services under three major categories data,
Entertainment, Voice.
World Call Telecom Limited became an associate company of Omantel after acquisition of
major share holding by Omantel in 2008. Today, World Call Telecom has become synonymous
with innovation, dedication, and reliability in Pakistan.
MOU between Pakistan-Oman
Agreement on Promotion & Protection of Investment
Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement
MOU regulating the Air Services between Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan
