The state institutions

The Basic Law of the State

The Basic Law of the State, promulgated on 6th November 1996 and comprising 81 articles lays down a legal framework of reference governing the functions of the different authorities and sep¬arating their powers. It also affords safeguards to guarantee the free¬dom, dignity and rights of the individual. This historic document sets out Oman's system of government and the guiding principles behind the state's policies and also details public rights and duties. It contains specific principles covering the Head of State, the Council of Ministers and the judiciary. It is simple yet succinct.

Article One of the Basic Law of the State notes that: "The Sultanate of Oman is an independent, fully sovereign, Arab, Islamic state. Its capital is Muscat". Article Two confirms: "The state's religion is Islam and the Islamic Sharia is the basis of legislation".
Governance in the Sultanate is based on justice, consultation and equality and, according to Article Nine, citizens have the right to take part in public affairs in accordance with the law.

With no obvious heir to the throne, the issue of succession is addressed in Article Five: "The system of government is an hereditary sultanate in which succession passes to a male descendant of Sayyid Turki bin Said bin Sultan. It is a condition that the male who is chosen to rule should be an adult Muslim of sound mind and a legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents".

The State's organisational framework

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said is Head of State, its highest and final authority and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Royal Oman Police.

The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers assists Sultan Qaboos in drawing up and implementing the general state policy. Specifically, the Council submits recommendations to the Sultan on economic, political, social, executive and administrative matters; these include proposing draft laws and decrees, looking after the welfare and interests of the general public, in addition to establishing and implementing Policies and goals for economic, social and administrative development, while ensuring the best possible use is made of available financial, economic and human resource, The Council of Ministers has a secretariat-general to assist it in the performance of its functions.

To avoid any division of loyalties, Article 53 of the Basic Law of the State declares: "Members of the Council of Ministers may not combine their ministerial positions with the chairmanship or membership of the board of directors of any public joint-stock company."

The Defence Council

Sultan Qaboos issued Royal Decree No. 105/96 on 28th December 1996 establishing the Defence Council, of which he is the head. It comprises eight members chosen on the basis of rank or position and meets by royal command to consider matters related to the maintenance and defence of Oman's security.

The National Security Council

Royal Decree No. 63/2003 was issued on 23rd September 2003 amending the name of the National Security Committee to the National Security Council. The Council considers all questions related to national security and holds its sessions at the Sultan's direction and under his chairmanship or that of the Minister of the Royal Office. Its members include: the Inspector General of Police and Customs, the Head of the Internal Security Service, the Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces and the Head of the Communications and Co-ordination Department. The Council may also request the atten¬dance of non-members with a particular expertise.
The Council has a secretary general appointed from the staff of the Royal Office.

The Supreme Judicial Council

The Supreme Judicial Council draws up general judicial policies, ensures the independence of the judiciary and monitors its development; it oversees the work of the courts and the Public Prosecutor's Office and also facilitates and monitors legal procedures. The Council considers judicial appointments and
promotions, proposes draft laws on judicial issues and comments on draft judicial co-operation agree¬ments between the Sultanate and other states.

Higher Committees, Secondary Councils and Public Authorities

The administrative apparatus of state comprises a number of higher committees, specialist secondary councils and public authorities; each of which is responsible for managing or monitoring a specific sector, producing a comprehensive overview and liaising with other relevant bodies, including ministries, with the aim of serving the public interest and ensuring efficient coordination between different authorities operating within the same sector. The members of these committees, councils and authorities include ministers and leading figures in the relevant areas.

The Higher Committee for Conferences

The higher Committee for Conferences is responsible for preparing, monitoring and liaising on conferences attended by the Sultanate, particularly those related to the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council. It works closely with con-cerned ministries.
The Higher Committee for Conferences is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers.

The Scientific Research Council

Royal Decree No.54/2005, issued on 22nd June 2005, established the Scientific Research Council and defined its prerogatives. The Council encourages and regulates matters related to scientific research. It is the prime authority in this field and liases between the different bodies and institutions involved in the sector.
The Council is responsible for drawing up a comprehensive national plan for scientific research, initiatives and research plans and supports the publication of scientific papers.

The Economic Co-ordination Council

The Economic Co-ordination Council was established by Royal Decree No 94/99 on 22nd November 1999 to consider a wide range of economic issues. It examines and considers all economic issues, including any problems adversely affecting economic development and prosperity; discussion on methods of stimulating the national economy are ongoing. The Council represents the government at joint meetings with the Businessmen's Council. It has a secretariat-general within the Ministry of National Economy, which, among other tasks, collates data and statistics.

The Civil Service Council

The Civil Service Council draws up general Civil Service policies and considers Civil Service related decisions, laws and procedures designed to boost the employment ratio of the nationals as opposed to expatriates in the workforce (Omanisation), and to improve the efficiency of the state's administrative apparatus.

The Supreme Committee for Town Planning

The Supreme Committee for Town Planning was originally established in 1985 and restructured under Royal Decree No.31/2005, issued on 21st March 2005. It is responsible for drawing up general town planning policies within the context of development plans. It also keeps a close eye on the implementation and development of the approved planning programmes and sets out principles for valuing land expropriated by the government for the construction of public utilities. The committee works to overcome any practical or financial obstacles to implementation of the approved plans and is chaired by the Minister of National Economy.
Royal Decree No.24/2006, issued on 28th March 2006, established a secretarial-general of the Supreme Committee and appointed a secretary-general.

The Higher Education Council

The I5-member Higher Education Council, set up on 27th September 1998 under Royal Decree No. 65/98, is responsible for drawing up the general policies for higher education and scientific research in the universities and higher institutes of learning, in line with the country's employment needs. It regulates student intake at the universities and higher learning institutes and prepares annual reports for the Council of Ministers about the state of higher education, making recommendations when appropriate. The Higher Education Council is headed by the Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court.

The Accreditation Council

The Accreditation Council was established in June 2001 to complement the functions of the Higher Education Council. It produces studies and research on criteria for approving higher education institutions and their programmes.
The Accreditation council was restructured under Royal Decree No.32/2002, issued on 27 March 2002. It has 10 members and meets once every four months.

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Council

The Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Council seeks to maintain and improve the standards of university education and ensure there is the greatest possible degree of co-ordination between SQU's course disciplines and the national development plan's need for graduates. SQU Council, which was established in 1986, is headed by the Minister of Higher Education.

The Tender Board

The Tender Board is responsible for opening and studying bids for the award of all government tenders with a value in excess of RO250,000, with the exception of defence unit contracts and certain others. others specified under the Tender Law and Regulations. The Board seeks to guarantee the efficient implementation of government tenders and the supply of goods and equipment to the highest specifications while ensuring optimal use of public funds.

In seeking to manage government tenders in a transparent, credible, fair, objective and professional manner, the Board is empowered to monitor the implementation of projects until their completion and committed to supporting national industrial products and policies, including Omanisation. It is headed by the Minister of Transport and Communications.

In 2005, 349 tenders were awarded at an actual total cost of RO672,726,558. The sectors involved included public utilities and services, roads and bridges, education and training, electricity and water, health, and oil and gas. During the first three months of 2006, some 48 tenders were invited at an estimated cost of RO98,828,610.During the same period 64 tenders were awarded at a cost of RO184,404,175.
Despite the rise in the number and cost of tenders invited and awarded in 2005, 2006 has, so far, seen a significant increase, compared with the previous year's totals.

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