You've Got To Love Oman! by Vaishnav Ramesh

Everyone loves going places – Don’t we? it is indeed always exciting when you’re packing your bags to leave to a new country – be it a holiday, a temporary stay or a permanent move – whatever it is, it is quite an experience. Certainly, I was excited. It’s not like I’ve been living off my bags but then I would, I really would – no matter how tiring it is! That’s probably one of the main reasons I chose Sales & Marketing to be my career with the hope I travel extensively, as much as I want to.

“But hold on! Before I go any further – I must thank my friend for giving me the heads-up to write on how I feel being a newbie in Oman”. So, well this is how it all started – Sometime late last year I felt I needed a career shift, a role change and a role filled with more challenges. It was just about myself and not my employer! As i started my job hunt, my priority was to move outside India for the experience and Middle East being close to home was undoubtedly my first option. To be honest, the only place in my mind was Dubai (you know the exuberant luxurious life you live there, provided you make that kind of money!) Everyone wants to be there, all of us!

While I approached one of my old friends/colleagues/business contact little did I know Oman was in store. And mid December just when I thought my job hunt was reaching nowhere I get this call “Hey Vaish, we are expanding in Oman and I was thinking of you as a suitable candidate. Would you be interested? If yes, let’s meet up and discuss”. I was obviously excited thinking of going to a new place and to be part of a business that’s just setting up. It’s those typical dream of guys building their own start up – I was in this phase but I atleast got a chance to be part of a start-up though not my own. But my only hindrance then was – “Oh, no! Wait.. I wanted to move to Dubai but now Oman.. Umm.. Should I? Should I not? “

After a point though not fully convinced (because I wanted to move to Dubai) I started looking up about Oman on the internet. Trust me I had no god damn idea about Oman but thanks to friends, relatives etc etc who are spread all over started giving me a picture about Oman. Some said it’s a great place to be at, some said it’s okay, a couple of them said – NO! Man’s brain is such that even if a 100 people say good, what stays in our head is 2 people saying something negative about the place. But overall I got some very good responses and everything about Oman on the internet was nice – articles about people, the place, things to do and in general the place as such.

My thoughts about Oman, based on what I heard and read – I had the belief that it’s a place to look forward to, though not as outgoing as Dubai yet a country with friendly people and a well balanced life. So, finally having lived here for just above 6 months this is what I’ve to say about Ohhh maannnn (Oman) -

Friendly Souls

Just after I landed the first thing I noticed about Oman is this! The airport staff welcomes every passenger with a smile, literally. I had some mess up with my passport but these guys dealt with it so well and they treat everyone with so much respect. That was the start and I knew, Man! this place is good! I was a little bogged down with such a small airport but hey – the new Muscat International Airport is coming up next year! 

The roads!

This is one point all of us love about the Gulf Countries. A 4-6 lane road and with good speed limits, boy the roads gave me that initial excitement. With cheap fuel prices you’re free to drive as much as you want and wherever you want at any given time.

Society 

Let me admit that I was wondering how active social life is going to be in Oman. Though I had my hopes of building my own circle here I still had my own doubts. But over 6 months the circle is building and society is definitely friendly – Omanis, Indians, Srilankans, Expats All nationals are friendly! Simply put, mankind is pretty sweet here and restores faith in humanity. More on this coming up, soon!

Culture

A very sweet, friendly, human culture. A society that believes in rich historical traditional values and the best of all is the similarity of family bonding. Family values of Omanis are extremely high which is quite similar to the Indian tradition (I understand there might be different cultures similar to this). I don’t mean offense to other culture’s just because I haven’t mentioned it here.

Racism Free

No offense to anyone but many think going to one of the Gulf Countries is going to land up in problems and you’ll have to face racism. But as far as my experience goes, there is no racism and one of the friendliest places I’ve been too. I might come across a lot more but as on date Oman tops the list and is definitely one of the most friendliest.

Landscapes and natural beauty

Ups, downs and curves meeting the ocean. One might wonder Oman is all about just endless deserts considering it’s the Middle East. But this place surprises with you some lovely landscapes and natural beauty. It’s really something for one to experience that leaves you jaw dropped!

Work-life Balance – Easy Steady and at Peace

This is what I love about this place. Everyone is calm, at ease and at a steady pace. The best way I could put it is – well balanced! If you’re talking work-life balance this place has given it to me.

Nightlife

I got to be honest here – This is no Dubai, Sin City – Vegas or Amsterdam but you definitely have a few places to unwind yourself. Over time as you build your own circle of friends all the parties and fun you want will happen!

Patriotism – At it’s peak! 

I must admit I love my country, I love India and home is where I would want to go back. Having said that I must say I’m quite astonished and been having the “WOW” moments looking at Oman celebrate National Day. It’s not a day’s celebration, it’s more a like a week celebration, or even more. It’s like they won a soccer world cup or won against a rival. Color lights, decoration everywhere, rallies everywhere and the best of all – cars with stickers of the national flag and Sultan’s photo. This country has shown me the love people can have for a country and their marvelous leader – His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Total Respect!!!

Don’t be surprised if with time I write more about Oman. If ever you get the chance to visit Oman, please do and we’ll be glad to welcome you!

By: Vaishnav Ramesh

all images courtesy for Vaishnav

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MWCIF – A year of reflection – looking back over 2014.... By Rebecca Mayston

Oman truly is the hidden gem of Arabia, it has something for everyone.  I know for many it has been perhaps a little too easy to fall in love with it all, the people, the landscape, the adventure and the food.  I have been blessed to enjoy an incredible six years in Oman.  After only coming to visit initially, I feel truly speechless when I stop and think back of all that I have experienced, which is to say the least, more than I ever imagined possible.  I have not just made friends but joined a family of adventure seeking, off-road, nature loving people and adopted into the Omani society. 

My work is my love and my passion, and it is so rewarding to be able to share some of the unique beauties and experiences with everyone.  2014 has been a full year for me, many adventure across Oman, from Musandam all the way south to Salalah, with Omanis, expats and tourists from over 50+ countries.  I have enjoyed weddings, and Eid meals in the villages.  I get surrounded by Bedouin children whom know me by name, and every weekend remember the convoy of jeeps that visit their auto garage.  I receive endless smiles and friendly waves, and am proud to have brought many smiles to faces through sharing Oman with them.  What I love most is that even after seeing and experiencing so much I continue to discover new things.

It is the above reasons that has actually made me step back over the last few weeks and really reflect on my time in Oman, and especially the last year… that’s also what makes it so hard to narrow down some of my top experiences. 

It has been an interesting few weeks as I have stepped back and really reflected on my time in Oman, and especially over the last 12 months.  It is so hard to narrow down some of the top experiences, but it has also been an incredible journey to step back through those memories and cherish them again, and again.  Here are 4 incredible memories of my 2014.

Top Camp Site Location:  Bar al Hikmann

Bar Al Hickman

Crystal blue water laps at the shore creating the only sound track for the weekend… How can one not sit back and loose themselves in complete relaxation (not something I am admittedly good at), with the silence, and the soft silky sands to dig your toes into, and nothing for kilometres and kilometres it was truly a slice of heaven.  It’s not an easy place to venue if you don’t know the tracks as you hear the numerous horror stories of people getting stuck and stranded in the soft sludgy salt flat (and exactly as the sign warns you about), but should you find yourselves adventurous and with friends who know the way, I couldn’t recommend it higher.  We enjoyed it after a weekend in the desert which made it even more special and an extended weekend away from Muscat.  I’d recommend allowing at least 2 or 3 nights here… especially if you are driving from Muscat specifically.

Top WOW-factor journey:  Seeing Musandam by water

Musandam

Needless to say I spend majority of my time, knee deep in sand encouraging groups of 4x4 through the desert sands, which made me a little bit of a fish out of water for this journey, which literally had me speechless.  I spent unforgettable 3 nights in sheer luxury on board MY Ibra, with the wonderful team from Ocean Blue Oman.  We motored from Shinas up into the Musandam peninsula, where the coastline changed from long stretched beaches of the Battinah plains to sheer towering cliffs that shot sky high (and to incredible depths below).  There is something so mesmerising about the ocean, a calming of the wide open surrounds, and being able to pull into a bay and drop anchor for the day… WOW!

Top Cultural Interaction:  Omani women at Bait al Saffah

Al Hamra Musbrick Village

This delightful working Omani Museum set in the heart of the fortified mud brick village of al Hamra, has been a long-time favourite of mine.  It is a rare location where one can experience a local taste of female interaction and life in the Omani home.  What I love most is that the ladies are doing what they normally do… singing, laughter and chatter resonate throughout the museum as the ladies grind wheat, roast coffee beans and brew traditional Omani Coffee.  It won’t be long before they have guests joined in and working hard.  I adore that the situation where language doesn’t create barriers, when using smiles, laughter and miming can be used to create such beautiful lasting memories.  When you do visit, don’t forget to stop for a moment and appreciate the conveniences we have in modern life.

Top Taste Experience: Eid with friends, enjoying Omani Shuwa

                               

Eid Shuwa Platter

Eid is a special time for families in this part of the world, where importance is placed on joining together as a community and sharing a meal surrounded by friends and family.  I was delighted to be invited to Khaboora by Sheik Ghalib, to enjoy Eid Lunch again this year.  The warmth and hospitality amongst the village is heartening, the little boys giggle at a lady being present, and the young girls (who have joined their father for the main lunch) grin from ear to ear in their beautiful Eid dresses.  Omani Shuwa is a delicacy especially served at Eid and at weddings.  Fresh meat is marinated in family created sauces for over 24hours, before it is wrapped and buried in pits, with fire hot stones and covered over for 24-48 hours (very similar to the New Zealand Hungi).  Omani culture isn’t about individual plates, the entire community (separated of course) joins together in one room sitting around large patters of food, the best choices piled high on the largest platter for the head table which I am prominently sat at.  Tender succulent meat melts in your mouth, the soft fragrant flavours are delicious… it is hard not to over eat, (one does warn you to not eat prior to attending an Eid Lunch), not only through the delicious flavours but also the delightfully generous hospitality of the Omani people which keeps your plate stocked high with the tastiest morsels.  Cherished community memories for me. 

Tough life on Board my Ibra

Bait Al Saffah.  Laughing & Dancing while making Rheikal (Omani Bread)

SHOW ME THE MONEY -by kay G of Bladeconomics

You know the apocalypse is very near when I am writing about taxation and economics.

Now, what prompted this post is Taxation on expat remittances in Oman here.

Tax is one of the very few aspects of life which are certain alongside death according to the well known saying. However Middle East is an exception. For ages, people have earned tax free income in this region.

Foremost, any regulation, not just in the area of taxes, in Oman or Middle East in general, is a good idea according to me and differential taxation for nationals and expatriates is normal in most countries. There are many unregulated areas in every stratum of life in Oman. This affects and benefits everyone in some way but laws and regulations, when fair, are the best way to bring about standardization and equivalence.   A microscopic example would be- I required an NOC from ROP for some paperwork. While there have never been any surprises in what the ROP itself would charge, the charges to just “apply” to the ROP for such an NOC varies from one organization/ person to another varies from zero to OMR150. There is no receipt, or even if there is, it is just as per the whims of the private organization. The lawlessness can amaze you at times.  Regulations and standardization of rules, fees, and charges are great way to put a check to this. The unfortunate thing however would be when regulations are made only for a section of the society.

If taxation is the way to go, then a full fledged tax system with proper administration is the answer:-

•  Tax will put a check on corruption and black money (enough said). Preventive regulation is better than decades later, go policing around and investigating anti-graft cases in which many who also made hay would have escaped.

• A slab based taxation system that are appropriate for people of different levels of income will reduce the burden that a flat taxation rate will on the low income groups. This is also vaguely in line with Islamic laws on taxation’s perspective. “Islamic taxation system does not tax income, but taxes wealth.”
• Also a taxation system on expats will probably bring in the opinion that the expats are giving back something to the resident country and not just their home country and help contest similar points that are attributed as merits of nationalization.

Now the issue in light is that Oman has proposed to levy taxes on remittances by expats as one of the many measures to minimize its expected deficit due to fall in oil prices.

A small fact of pride here is that while one part of the world plans to meet its fiscal deficit by taxing remittances by expat workforce (rumoured that UAE is also considering the same), for the world’s largest recipient of remittances – India (US$ 71 Bn, 2013), the aggregate of annual remittances, not merely a tax % on it, amounts to only a fraction, less than 3.3% of the India’s GDP (US$ 1.8 Trillion) in 2013. And only 0.42% of the GDP of the second largest recipient of worker’s remittances- China.

Off tangent trivia, random statistics of unemployment rates in the aforementioned countries- India – 5.2%, Oman- 15%, China – 4.1%.(2013 figures, Tradingeconomics.com) . Also, neither of the developing super powers do great favours for the unemployed, just saying.

Nevertheless, though remittances may not help the home countries significantly at a macro level, they are very important at the welfare/ micro-economic level. (Discussed again later). Especially for countries like Bangladesh or Philippines. More so, since these countries do not have great perks for their unemployed or poor and they have greater purchasing power in comparison to Oman, such remittances go a long way for those back home.

In recent times very stringent regulations have been imposed on jobs for expatriates such as differential pay structures for expats, visa restrictions etc. None of this actually contributes to “job creation” in the market. It is still the same old jobs now empty. For a country that relies heavily on hydrocarbon revenues, that are not only exhaustible and volatile, taxing remittances is a short-term remedy considering all expats are fast losing their jobs anyway and this measure won’t contribute much to developing the country in the long run. And despite the government’s efforts to create employment and one section of the local community working very hard or taking up entrepreneurship, choosy youngsters declining the new opportunities that are available has added on to inadequacy in the job market.

Coming back to the topic, how much and for how long can an economy rely on remittances made by people who have as it is come out of their home country to make a living, to patch a fiscal deficit?

I remember being asked at an internship to collect data on the percentage share of each local bank in the national “fees or commission charged by banks on remittances”.

I only realized the data on remittances is too little to warrant conclusions, but it is sensible to assume that at some point taxation on remittances is inevitable. At a global level, volumes of remittances exceed ODAs and FDIs. “Around 12 percent of global remittances came from the six Gulf countries last year, with nearly half of this going to India.”

Remittances flow to developing countries. http://www.ifad.org

But going back to the micro economic implications, say, from an NRI (Non Resident Indian)standpoint,

• One hand a home country that has differential laws for all things NRI is a burden. Laws for NRIs are always framed assuming they are probably minting money abroad. They do not consider that a huge section of the NRI community are workforce that can neither afford to make their children afford college abroad nor pay NRI fee-structure in colleges in India.
• Also recently CBEC (India) issued a circular for levying Service tax on the “fees or commissions charged by banks”, which again will be passed on to remitters.
• Apart from altruistic motives behind remittances (which is the case for most of the low income work force), taxing remittances also affects those remittances made for self interest. E.g.: Fixed Deposits in India offer interest rates at 9% for residents as compared to less than 2% in FDs in the Middle East. This actually justifies repatriation for the fact that,despite the lack of job opportunities, differential remuneration, holidays, and other benefits, the hard earned income by NRIs cannot stay inside the country with little opportunities for investment

In conclusion, laws and regulations, when fair and effective, help any kind of economy. Selectively taxing only remittances will only slightly inconvenience expats in the short term, lead to illegal transfers or change form (gold, etc). From the standalone perspective on taxing remittances- it is fair for all the merits to its case- for money going out is of no use to Oman and also for the lifestyle one gets here. But this question is on the motive behind such move – How long can a developing economy depend on such income?

A fair system of taxation for all will bring in revenues for the government; however will require a robust administration system. Most Middle East countries do not have independent institutions to handle taxation, instead have a treasury department. Formation of a body may be easy but administration of tax collection is a huge arena that requires experience.

The difference between new and experienced countries in the taxation or any legal regulatory arena is like parents with their first child Vs. Parents with their second and subsequent children. The first child is subject to curfews and rules of all kinds whereas the other kids have the luck of experienced parents who are aware of their children’s wishes despite their disapproval and can parent them with the understanding that out-and-out prohibition will only lead to them finding illegal ways to get what they want. Oman belonging to the former employs out and out prohibition in so many areas- simple example being VOIP/ free speech, etc.

A more intelligent way of administration would be to capitalize the situation or using it to their advantages than imposing regulations that do not achieve any objective in the long run – Be it welfare or Revenue.

Disclaimer: It’s the intention of this blog to stay in total compliance with the laws of the Sultanate of Oman. Any view that it is not so is due to an incorrect interpretation of the contents of the blog. Comments on the blog are the views of the person writing the comment and not the opinion of the blog or its author. Should an individual/organization wish that any content or comment be modified or removed, it will be considered at once. Contact by Email at : bladenomics@gmail.com Or twitter : @bladenomics.

2014, How art thou? - by Vidya Ramaswamy

Oh 2014! It's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, hasn't it? Let's walk down memory lane for a bit. You started the year by giving me heartbreak. And to be really honest with you, that wasn't very nice of you. If I was Santa Claus, you'd go on my naughty list. I surely hope you were nicer to others. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that the heartbreak messed up a good part of the year.

But then, I find out about Ebola and the missing Malaysia Airlines flight, and the unrest in Ukraine and Iraq and Gaza and Syria, and suddenly, my crap didn't feel so bad in comparison. Just when I was getting caught up in petty matters, you showed me some perspective.

Note to self: It is NEVER as bad as it seems.

To be fair to you, 2014, you haven't been all that bad. You let me travel to rejuvenate myself, and I was so excited when you offered me the opportunity to come back to my first home, Oman.

You gave the world a frenzied and eventful World Cup in Brazil, though I was mad at you for kicking out every team that I supported. Fine, maybe Spain didn't deserve to go through, and you should have most definitely shown a little delicacy in how you kicked out the home country. But why couldn't you have finally given Messi a break and put an end to his World Cup woes?

Is that why you tried to make amends and let us land a spacecraft on a comet? Actually, I need another moment to digest that. I mean, I've got to give you props, 2014. How seriously cool is that?!? You make me feel lucky to be alive at a time like this. I don't think a lot of us truly value the lives that we have. Just last week, you confirmed that Robin Williams committed suicide. Funny man, Robin Williams. Depressed. That was a real shocker.

Note to self: NO amount of fame or money can bring you happiness or sanity.

It's almost the end of the year, and I'm sure everyone has a story to share. You dealt Oman a severe blow with news of the ill health of their beloved leader, but somehow you also gave the people an immense amount of courage. I haven't seen this kind of love towards the ruler of any other country, and once again, I am glad to have witnessed something inspiring.

Well, 2014, while I didn't like you all that much in the beginning, I've warmed up to you. You brought an amazing friend into my life who helped me get out of the dumps, and recently, you've given me a new crush to distract myself with. Perhaps this is why you drew me back to Oman? Good move, 2014! So, how about this? We'll call it even. You redeemed yourself.

And now, the time has come for you to leave. Farewell, 2014. You may be gone, but you've made your mark. You won't be forgotten...

Note to self: I just conversed with a year. I NEED to get out more.