What’s next for Oman’s economy? - Gulf Business:
Debonair and benign, Oman’s long-term leader Sultan Qaboos died on January 10, 2020 at the age of 79. Despite an arcane succession plan involving sealed letters in secret locations, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said was sworn into power hours later in a closely choreographed ceremony designed to confer as much of the previous Sultan’s authority onto his cousin as possible.
The sultanate is observing 40 days of mourning, which will extend until the middle of February. Government business has mostly paused, and one can imagine that Haitham Al Said is discretely using this lull to consolidate power, and reassure allies. Former British ambassador to Oman, Robert Alston notes that his first speech stressed a commitment “to continuity both domestically and internationally”.
“We will follow the path of the late Sultan,” Haitham said, promising to “promote peaceful solutions” to regional and global crises.
Haitham Al Said is widely perceived as a safe pair of hands. Sophisticated, bright, measured and quiet, he has worked in the government for decades, serving in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, and latterly as minister of Culture. He has also been instrumental in creating ‘Oman 2040’, the strategic plan for the country’s economic future.
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