Gulf | Oman
Qaboos to council: Speed up development
He hoped that the experience gained by the Shura members while carrying out social and economic responsibilities would help speed up Shura development in the country.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 13:47 November 6, 2007
Muscat: His Maejsty Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed on Tuesday exhorted Majlis Ashura to take on more responsibilities in the field of economic and social development.
"We expect the Council of Oman in general, and the Majlis Ashura in particular, to take on more comprehensive responsibilities in the fields of economic and social development," HM the Sultan told the Council of Oman, a joint session of elected Majlis Ashura and State Council, whose members are appointed by the leader himself.
He hoped that the experience gained by the Shura members while carrying out social and economic responsibilities would help speed up Shura development in the country.
"We hope that the experience gained (by the Shura members) will provide an impetus for further beneficial and constructive action in serving this dear nation," he said.
He also urged his government to raise and intensify its contacts with the Council of Oman in order to enable it to carry out its duties and tasks in best possible manner.
The Omani leader also praised the conduct of the Shura elections for the sixth term, which were held last month. Oman elected 84 members to the Majlis Ashura in the country's second open elections in which 631 contested, including 21 women. No woman was elected.
"It gave us pleasure to see the elections being conducted in a well-organised manner, thereby ensuring that it ran smoothly and easily in an atmosphere of calm and security," he pointed out in his address.
"It was clear evidence of the citizens' awareness and their commitment to the values and principles of this decent, upright society."
He appreciated the high turn out of all citizens, male and female, to practice their right to choose their representatives in the Shura.
He also commend Shura and State Council in preparing economic and social studies, reviewing laws and regulations and putting forward recommendations and proposals on issues of concern to society.
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