According to wikipedia and UNDP, "In November 2010, The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) listed Oman as the most-improved nation in last 40 years from among 135 countries worldwide." So I drive around Muscat, looking for this "development" and I can see something here and something there. But where is it really? Things are becoming expensive as hell, from groceries to apartment rent. So if things are this expensive then surely someone out there is making enough money... But I don't really see this money invested, not wisely anyway and sure as hell not in a way that benefits this country. Here's a little fact from wikipedia about Oman:
| Population | ||
|---|---|---|
| - | 2009 estimate | 2,845,000 (139th) |
| - | 2003 census | 2,341,000 |
| - | Density | 9.2/km2 (219th) 23.8/sq mi |
Now according to those facts we don't have many people in Oman compared to most countries, Dubai alone probably has more people than Oman and that's just one tiny city! Our country has oil, it also sells oil, so therefore we have Ferraris and Range Rovers but we don't have real facilities. UAE is a little "miracle" with it's crazy booming country, so it's another story and on the other hand there is Malaysia. Malaysia is a lovely country, I visited it 3 times and I loved every visit. According to the standards and definitions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB), "Malaysia is considered a "middle-income" country. Malaysia has one of the lowest poverty incidents in Asia and belongs to the Top 10 Richest Countries in Asia in terms of Per Capita GDP Income." and it's true because you can see it in the facilities they have! The reason they are enjoying lots of the worlds goodness, technology and transport it's because they have something for everyone. You don't have to be rich to go to a spa, you can find cheap ones and good ones too. If you don't own a car, you can take the train or metro. If you cant afford a ride on a train, you can take a bus and it works just fine. If you're a teenager and cant afford eating in Chilis, Nandos and B+F there are lots of places where you can get a nice meal for 1ro.
So I wonder, why doesn't Oman have all these options, Dubai, in a tiny city managed to build bigger roads than Oman, a subway system and has buildings more than 10 stories high. Instead of Oman expanding upwards, they are expanding sideways but I'm not expert in economy or how much the country makes. Looking around I see a huge room for improvement, I want to make a change, I will make a change on day but with battling to survive college and buy myself a nice lunch I think that will have to wait. Don't get me wrong I love Oman, I'd prefer living in it more than any other country I know off...Maybe Malaysia and Singapore...But we live in a peaceful, quite and beautiful country...But please! We want trains, buses and cheap meals!
I'd have to say that you are looking at it one-sided. Oman has developed a lot in comparison to the UAE. We are the first nation to allow women to vote in the gulf. the first to allow women to join the police force. If you compare natives of Dubai in comparison to Omanis in terms of education, you'd see that we are way more advance in the way we think than they are. And to top it off, the government has done a lot in developing areas all around Oman not only MUSCAT. You should stop comparing a country to a tiny city first of all and start comparing a country to another.
ReplyDeleteBtw lovely thoughts and an even more lovely blog..!!
I do admit I am looking at it from a one sided view, but I am discussing that side ;) I am fully aware of the developments with education and women voting.
ReplyDeleteWell you just commented about the UN ranking of Oman being the most developed country outta the whole lot and yet you say you look at it one-sided. Hmmm, you shouldn't have included it then.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not =P But you're comparing the MAIN things every country should have which is women voting and education! These are a must have...
ReplyDeleteDubai has a bit less than 2 million people and because it is one small city, it forms less challenges in terms of development.
ReplyDeleteOman has taken a different approach all together. Better slow than sorry approach. I don't argue that Oman could do better or its people deserve better living standards of its government entities need to improve their efficiencies significantly, but comparing it to Dubai is senseless.
You compare UAE population to that of Oman, but compare the GDP Per Capita of Emiratis in Dubai to Omanis? They are few hundred of thousands and Omanis are over 2 million.
Also, GDP may indicate wealth distribution about people, but says little about the economy, especially not in longer term.
Compare the growth rates and budget deficit too.
i completely agree with whatever you have written. But the real problem is that even though oman is developing and its per capita income is rising, the gap between the rich and poor is also increasing drastically. I have lived in oman for about 19 years now and i have seen the rich get richer day after day.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue with muscat is the lack of trained local workers. All the managing positions and technical jobs have been taken up by immigrants. This in no way helps the economy of the country because all this money isnt going back into the countrys circulation for development.
There are a few changes i want to see in oman. I promise i will try my best once im done my university.
List of richest businessman in Oman: http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-9224-top-10-richest-indians-in-the-gcc/10
ReplyDeleteWhat is the current situation in almost end of 2017?
ReplyDelete